Premium

Max Heidegger - Ländle's Daniel Gyro Gearloose

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on April 5, 2023

Reading time 6min

Written by:

Daniel Reinhard

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Archiv Reinhard

Archiv Heidegger

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Archiv Reinhard

Archiv Heidegger

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv

Max Heidegger mit dem für McLaren entwickelten Turbo-Sechszylinder

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Max Heidegger im neu erbauten BMW-Autohaus mit seinem erfolgreichen Formel-2-Motor

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Max Heidegger mit den damaligen Mitarbeitern Heinz Lehmann und Peter Marlow.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Teilweise in Cellophan verpackt liegen die Formel-2-Vierzylinder im Regal wie anderswo Kohlköpfe

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Der Formel-1-Motor für McLaren war schon so gut wie fertig und lief bereits auf dem Prüfstand.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Heideggers alte Garage an der Landstrasse 89 in Triesen, wo von 1962 bis 1992 die Geschäfte getätigt wurden.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maurer MM 82 (1982) – Stefan Bellof auf dem Hockenheimring unterwegs zu seinem zweiten Formel-2-Sieg am 4. April 1982

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

ATS-Lola T 324 (1975) – Manfred Schurti in Führung beim 5. Lauf der Castrol-GTX-Trophy (Formel Super V) auf dem Österreichring am 17. August 1975

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 2002 Heidegger (1975) - Le Mans Classic 2014 - Plateau 6

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 320 Gruppe 5 Heidegger (1977) - Erklärung des Reglements - Genfer Autosalon 1977

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 320 Gruppe 5 Heidegger (1977) - mit anderen Produktionswagen der Gruppen 1 bis 5 - Genfer Autosalon 1977

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Sonderschau Heidegger - ein 2002-tii-Motor mit rund 175 PS - Oldtimer- und Teilemarkt Winterthur 12./13. November 2016

You have only

1 out of 15

images seen in high resolution

Summary

Max Heidegger from Triesen in the Principality of Liechtenstein belonged to the small elite of internationally sought-after engine tuners until 1982. The unconventional technician - who was himself successful from 1968 to 1972 with his own BMW 2002, particularly in the mountains - was regarded as a genius of the trade thanks to his ingenuity. This article traces the career of the ingenious tinkerer and explains why money is not always a guarantee of success in motorsport.

This article contains the following chapters

The BMW era
The McLaren disappointment

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

He became really famous in the early seventies thanks to countless race wins with his Formula Vee and Super Vee engines. When his compatriot Manfred Schurti failed to make progress in Formula Vee despite his talent at the time, Heidegger eagerly tinkered with the fuel supply. A short time later, the palmarès of Heidegger's company "Entwicklung, Herstellung, Über- holung von Verbrennungsmotoren" grew steadily: European Super Vee champion in 1972, '74 and '75; Swiss championship in 1975, '76 and '77. "Manfred Schurti was one of our first customers. I owe almost everything to him," recalls Max Heidegger, adding: "It was his string of successes that really put us on the map." Powerful BMW engines from Heidegger in touring car racing, Formula 2 and the Pro Car series became a byword for quality.

Welcome to Zwischengas!