Episode 8 - Pinky Lai Special Edition | Porsche Cayman Designer

[@MAXREVS]

Time codes: 1:48 - How Pinky got into car design 6:32 - Have no fear 8:50 - The job interview with Ford 15:18 - Tickets to London for studying at the RCA 19:15 - Making your own signature style 27:25 - What defines a Cayman from a styling perspective 35:40 - How the Porsche Cayman came to be 41:35 - If people thought the Cayman was a Boxster with a roof that would be a design failure 49:24 - The Porsche Cayman 987 is a timeless classic 51:46 - Cayman paint colours 1:08:20 - Meeting Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche, aka Ferry Porsche

[@adamgoodman5887]

MAX REVS legendary interview. Genius.

[@MAXREVS]

@@adamgoodman5887 Too kind... I don’t take myself too seriously. It’s just great sharing your car passions with like minded individuals. We got a quick guest appearance from Pinky only a few days ago, check this out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnaopYCJfpqkoNU

[@chilluminare]

I wonder if the Danish architect he mentioned is Bent Severin? I worked for Bent who moved to SF after done several projects in Asia and Dubai. In 2007, I went to the Porsche dealer to pickup a 911 but when I saw the Cayman in 2007, I switched to the Cayman because the side vent and the back curves caused such a wow impression... Just upgraded to the 2024 model. But now hearing and knowing about Pinky design intention, I will keep both models.

[@MAXREVS]

I rarely ask you guys for a Thumbs Up... but come on people, we need to get 1000 likes for Pinky Lai!!

[@daning9456]

What an interview, well done! Both Pinky and I came from Hong Kong, we are about the same age, and we almost crossed path!! I graduated at Imperial College in Aeronautics in 1973, just across the road is Royal College of Art. In 1982, I finished my PhD, already worked in industry for 4-5 yrs, and thinking of changing discipline, becoming a vehicle designer. I went to RCA, met a lecturer called Starling at the Automotive department, the head was then professor Frank Knight. Starling warned me that it was difficult to find a job as a car designer after their 2 yr course, asked me to be psychologically prepared. In the end I didn't make the switch, I had a good job at British Aerospace, and a young family with 2 kids to support (3 kids in the end). I only came across Pinky's story 2 yrs ago. Since 2015, I owned a Boxster, so you see, Pinky and I have same taste. I am finishing my second autobiography and Pinky's story is featured in one of the chapters. Would love to get in touch with him if possible.

[@MAXREVS]

You can contact me at [e-mail]. I’m also ex-Imperial😁

[@adamgoodman5887]

If Porsche knew what they were doing they would bring this guy back and pay him millions.

[@jackknightsbridge5232]

Indeed, I never understood why some people called the Cayman a Boxter with a roof. It’s a timeless design of its own. Vindicated by the creator himself!

[@MAXREVS]

Damn right😎👍🏼

[@adamgoodman5887]

Correct

[@Jwdude123]

Facts. The used prices in 2022 prove it.

[@hsghatora]

could not see live, but awesome show. never selling my cayman now .

[@1530swimmer]

Look after your 987’s folks... A design icon!

[@MAXREVS]

I know, you have the 987.1 too. THE very first one😁

[@1530swimmer]

@@MAXREVS haha, that's right! And I intend to keep it for as long as I can! Great content Max - kudos to you and Pinky for getting this done.

[@Jwdude123]

Correct.

[@edwojtecki3851]

I wrote Pinky about the roof line on my 987. He educated me that it was called a Lemans roof line giving a negative pressure area over the rear window giving it a way to shed rain. 👍

[@tomingrassiaimages8776]

Pinky...Thanks for making the Cayman an individual.

[@georgehave]

Great insight. Very down to earth gentleman. A great creation.

[@Jwdude123]

Porsche 987 Cayman is a sinuous masterpiece. -Dr. Ward

[@marcfd3756]

Great interview with Mr. Lai. Your channel is great. I'm looking forward to getting my first Cayman later this year and your channel is really enhancing the experience! Thank you!

[@MAXREVS]

You’re more than welcome, and good luck in your pursuit for a Cayman👍🏼

[@stephentodd1450]

I unfortunately was not able to join you live but have just thoroughly enjoyed your video interview with Pinky Lai. Max you are in the big leagues now! Pinky is such an unassuming and down to earth man. It has been great to get a behind the scenes look at how our Caymans came to be. I'm sure any of us that have a 987 generation went out and admired our cars and looked at the fender lines and deck lines with a renewed appreciation. Max, as always does a great job bringing the world of Cayman owners together. Looking forward to the next livestream.

[@duncanfrost7290]

Ha ha. Yes I did that!! Try this... crouch down behind one of the rear lights and look along the top of the rear wheel arch/hip at the door mirror. Notice how the curve of the mirror fits perfectly into the valley where the hip meets the side roof line. It's a work of art and that has to be intentional. Would have loved to ask him.

[@edwojtecki3851]

Pinky doesn’t just pen beautiful cars. He is capable of industrial design

[@ianmitchell9102]

Great interview, I really enjoyed it and I think pinky would of happily spoke all day, shame the sound quality went towards the end, but Max he was just about to tell something interesting about when he worked for BMW, maybe you didn’t hear him or maybe you wanted him to just stick to porsche but you need to get him back and ask him his BMW story’s !! Great video though, I listened all the way on a 70 minute journey !! Thank you

[@MAXREVS]

Thanks! Yeah I got slated in a comment somewhere here about the BMW question. You will see the answer I posted on that thread.

[@ianmitchell9102]

MAX REVS ok, I feel bad now, I read your reply to that Moron and I thought that might of been the case. Some people are just plain rude. It was a cracking interview 👍🏻

[@MAXREVS]

It’s all good man👍🏼Lots of stuff has to happen behind the scenes, not everyone gets that. We could have talked easily for another hour😁

[@w3155ach]

This was really awesome and enlightening and has made me look at the 987 / 981 / 982 from a completely different perspective! Looking at them now, I understand why I prefer the look of your 987 over the 982. Great work MAX!

[@milogger7556]

Thanks Max, this was great to get some insight on the Cayman. I wish he could've covered more about the design, but this was great. All the best! 🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@MAXREVS]

It was tempting to get into the design details a little bit more. However I was so excited listening to Pinky I didn’t want to interrupt him once he was flowing.

[@AndyEder]

I wish I could have seen it live but - sadly - I was working. What a great interview and a gentleman, fascinating stuff!

[@mickgoodbe235]

You’re an absolute natural at all this - down to earth presentation making us feel like we’re there with you. Thanks very much for your hard work and inspired subject matter. Well Done!

[@MAXREVS]

Thanks for your kind words... what an opportunity this was for me😁

[@damiangrybowski9852]

Great job with the interview! I wish you had more time to just let him elaborate on all details, but man the "hill and valley" comment was everything that I wanted to hear. It's a very important design question of the Cayman - is it supposed to have a double wave rear design, or be more like the 911, which it's slowly becoming? I think this is what stands out with the 987 and make it a very special car.

[@MAXREVS]

We all wish we had more time to listen to Pinky. I was allocated 1 hour, I wanted to hear his back story, half-way through I realised we hadn’t got onto the Cayman. Out of respect to Pinky I didn’t keep on going as I knew he had other appointments afterwards.

[@damiangrybowski9852]

@@MAXREVS For sure, I saw that you were managing schedule, but you did great anyway.

[@enriclibert545]

Nice guy!!! Pinky 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@RockClass101]

Can’t believe I missed this! What a fantastic interview, loved it!

[@actualizare]

This was amazing! If only we could get some more time with him.

[@MAXREVS]

I know I was thinking the same. Pinky is a busy man and I didn’t want to over impose on him. He’s stuck away from home due to lockdown. Maybe, just maybe, I can get him back for a specific set of questions in the future👍🏼

[@MAXREVS]

Not sure if you saw our recent livestream where we got Pinky back for a few short minutes? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnaopYCJfpqkoNU

[@actualizare]

@@MAXREVS Yes. I was very excited by the "surprise". It is great to listen to such a knowledgeable man. I can't wait to see him again. Thanks again, Max!

[@m3lowiesvlog715]

He talks like Bruce Lee,it’s philosophy right there.

[@tomingrassiaimages8776]

What a great story

[@natemallory9141]

That was a real treat 👍🏾👍🏾

[@steguis]

Loved it! thanks

[@Doitforthebran]

Great video max brother

[@MAXREVS]

Glad you enjoyed

[@andyirwin70]

That was excellent

[@MAXREVS]

Makes owning a Cayman that bit more special when you speak to the designer!

[@allthingsaudio3840]

Fantastic interview, just wished when the guest was talking only one person would be talking.

[@ys_a1659]

Max, why don’t you just let the man himself talk until the end?! He never says, that his time for you is limited but you say it.

[@tomingrassiaimages8776]

I wish I did not have to sell my 987.

[@mattyp3119]

I loved the 987 when it came out dont get me wrong it's a great design, but I can't agree that it hasn't aged, the back trunk lid and how long it is, the very small finned side vents, the tail lights, it's stock wheel gap, even to a certain extent the 997 style front headlights, especially all combined look just a little dated. It's still a great design and is the classic Cayman perhaps more traditional in design which is a matter of preference

[@brightenupcc]

25:28 pinky is about to answer the BMW question. Idiot interviewer immediately cuts him off.

[@MAXREVS]

Hard to disagree with you... All I can say is that I had 30 mins of time left with him, and we hadn't even got onto the Cayman. I was worried the answer to the Ford/BMW question could consume more time than I had available. I was hoping for a quick and catchy answer to the question, but in hindsight I should not have asked it. The focus of this video was the Cayman.

[@rspo4710]

I hate his designs very much. 996, 987 If he hadn't designed it, I'm sure the value of the classic car would have increased.

[@briancornish1296]

The GREATEST Porsche design EVER was the (1955-56) 550 RS Spyder's Hands Down! Wish we could speak and interview those designers today... Where are the TRUE GERMAN/ EUROPEAN designers in all this?Why are the Asians leading this narrative??? ACTUNG! Get it Back..

[@thehspace]

It's a global world now, we are one people. We can distill the essence of each heritage no matter where we are born. Pinky here respected the 911 "curve" more than the current designers. Porsche itself survived and improved from absorbing some of Toyota's manufacturing principles. Sure, the 550 Spyder might be sexy. But would it be more reliable than other cars of its day.