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Dean Polopolus is the owner of Polo Motors in Temecula, California. Dean was inspired by Porsche design and engineering so much that he created something beyond what Porsche had to offer. Much like Dr. Ferdinand Porsche who said, “I couldn’t find the sports car of my dreams, so I built it myself.” So did Dean. He designed, cast, and built the first Porsche 911, 4-cylinder engine and would fit it into a 356 A model Porsche. For over 30 years Dean continued to develop and perfect his design, testing it on the street and on the track. Then Polo Motors produced the world’s first 911 air-cooled engine in a 356 Porsche Outlaw, equipped with modern day suspension and brakes. Today Dean and his company are known throughout the world of Porsche enthusiasts for their engineering and powerful Polo engines for vintage Porsche 356 and 912 models.
SHOW SPONSORS
Covercraft • MetronGarage • Christopher Kimball Financial Services
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
As Dr. Porsche said,”If we had known it was going to be this successful, we would have made it smaller.” Many times smaller packages can be stronger.
CAREER & LIFE CHALLENGES
One of my biggest challenges was when I started out to make this motor, I would ask a machinist to make a certain part, and they would say they could make it. When they began the project, they realized it was more difficult than they’d thought, and they were unable to make the part for me. After going to several different machinists to make the part, I finally went to an aerospace engineer who knew exactly what needed to be done to make the part perfect. Without the help of quality people, I wouldn’t have been able to get it done.
FIRST SPECIAL VEHICLE
My first special vehicle was a car that belonged to my Dad. It was a 1969 Porsche 911T. We all drove it, and it kept going and going, and never quit!
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
It’s always something simple.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Roman Hurtado of Larry Spun Products has been a tremendous friend to me. His company makes products for the aircraft industry and beyond. I have been able to use his shop to help me, and he has been a tremendous resource.
RECOMMENDED BOOK
Porsche: Excellence Was Expected by Karl Ludvigsen
PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE
Things don’t always look like what they seem.
WHERE TO FIND DEAN
Performance Engineering (manta.com)
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
Your opinion matters, and I will greatly appreciate your support.
If you enjoyed this show, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a five-star review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and help others be inspired by Cars Yeah.
I own 2 356
Rey to reach Dean polopolus but canot as jus Website polomotor dors not work
Any idea to resch dean
Michel Pitteloud Switzerland
Michelpitt @ bluewin.ch
I’ve forwarded your message to Dean and you can also reach him via his website where there is a contact tool.