Louis Meznarie


Louis Meznarie is a former French engine expert and a team owner entrant to 24 Hours of Le Mans.
and another engineer

Early life

He was born in Saintry-sur-Seine, France, to migrant parents from Yugoslavia. As a child, he was fond of mechanical games, tinkering with bicycle parts to make them faster. At thirteen, he joined a workshop and got NSU Quickly, a bicycle with an auxiliary engine. From 1945 to 1948 he worked for Sachs motorcycle factory, MR, working with two-stroke engines. From 1948 and 1949, he was a soldier in the French army, while remaining involved with motorcycles.
In the 1950s, he began regional motocross races on a NSU Max 250 cm3 OSL.
From 1959 to 1971 he was an official dealer of NSU for motorcycles and motorcars and engine preparation expert for French races. In 1968, he opened a large workshop in Le Plessis-Chenet with the support of Shell Oil Company. From 1971 to 1983, he was the official engine preparation expert for Porsche, with many victories in 24 Hours of Le Mans, French Rally Championship and European Rally Championship.

Career

"Prepare or sale a car, is not interesting to me if I don’t know who will drive it", Louis Meznarie.

NSU official dealer

From 1960 to 1963 he prepared several official Prinz 3 for the Tour de France, with French driver Jean Behra.
In 1963 preparation of one Prinz 4 for Jean Behra who wins the Tour de Corse and Monte Carlo Rally in Tourism category,
From 1964 to 1971, he prepared several official cars for French drivers as Marie-Claude Beaumont, Guy Chasseuil, Bernard Darniche and Gérard Larrousse.. After an agreement between NSU and the French manufacturer Citroën, he prepares in 1968 a 4-cylinder engine NSU for formula 3 Citroen MEP X7 : 2 cars compete in hill races.

Porsche official engine preparation expert

In 1971 911 2.4-litre, 260 hp and 2.6-litre, 284 hp for Gérard Larrousse and Jürgen Barth, 9 victories
In 1972 911 2.4-litres for Jürgen Barth, Sylvain Garant and Mike Kyser at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They achieved 13th scratch ranking, 1st in category, with only one 911 finishing,
In 1973 a 911 RSR 3-litre with 310 hp for Guy Frequelin.
In 1974 911 Carrera RSR 3-litres, at 330 hp for Hubert Striebig and Hughes Kirschhoffer and a 911 RS 3-litre for Thierry Sabine.
In 1975 and 1976 911 Carrera RSR 3-litres.
In 1976 he prepared 934 turbos at 500 hp for Hubert Striebig and Charlotte Vernet.
In 1977 935 turbo for Thierry Sabine.
From 1979 to 1982 911 SC 3-litre in 1981, French Rally Championship 2nd in 1982.
In 1982 and 1983 911 SC 3-litre, 315 hp for Michel Teilhol.