MEMBERSHIP DINNER: "Hemi" with Peter Hartman

By Dave Miller

For those of you who could not join us, you missed a great event.  Peter
Hartman, leader of the Hemi-Engine Team for Daimler Chrysler, led us through
a video extravaganza. Not only did he take us through the history of the
engine, he was able to show us cross sections, construction methods,
manufacturing techniques, and how it works. The latest version was designed
with the Porsche 3.6 liter engine performance characteristics as the goal. 

Most enjoyable were the series of knock-off commercials that DCX did for
internal use only. Especially creative and humorous were 3 DCX executives
replacing the two “Has that got a Hemi/Sweet!” duo, with Dieter Zetsche
playing the passenger in the duster and another executive driving the hemi
pick-up. Words don’t do it justice.

As a Mopar fan, as well as a Porsche disciple, I enjoyed learning about the
common traits of combustion design in my 426 and 3.6. Now a Neanderthal like
me can see how the two share the common design heritage.

Not only was this very enjoyable and education, the food was very good.
Mountain Jacks did a very good job. A nice job was also done by Lew Canton in
the management and promotion of the event.

Peter Hartman set the bar high for our next speaker. We look forward next
year’s President’s Dinner.

Thanks again Peter.