Reportage Garage: Ivan Levak and the Porsche 944

1 day ago
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Reportage Garage: Ivan Levak & Porsche 944

T he idea of a column about vehicles and the people behind them was born this summer. Who owns them, where did the car come from and what interesting stories does it hide? These are some of the questions we wanted to cover, and the idea of a reportage was so appealing that the name Reportage Garage was chosen. The name somehow perfectly describes what we want to do: bring stories about “tin pets”, from cars to motorcycles, all the way to boats and airplanes. The focus is not on technical details, but on the culture, aesthetics and emotions that these machines evoke, and on the people who create, nurture and drive them.

That summer I also met Ivan, who seemed like the ideal person to talk to about this new topic. Ivan is a product designer, entrepreneur, and enthusiast who spent part of his childhood in Milan, and today in Zagreb and on Hvar, he creates and combines design with his love for cars.

We spoke to him as part of the first Reportage Garage. Here's what we found out.

To begin with, can you briefly introduce yourself?

Ivan Levak: First of all, thank you to DART for their interest and invitation to be a part of their story. My name is Ivan Levak, I was born in Zagreb, and after my early childhood in Milan, I graduated from Classical High School and the Faculty of Design at the Faculty of Architecture. After my master's degree, I did a design internship in Berlin, and then returned to Croatia where I opened a restaurant on Hvar and a design studio in an old family apartment in Zagreb.

Ivan's story with cars begins long before he ever got behind the wheel for the first time. From a young age, he was "immersed" in automotive culture and mechanics, literally living above the garage. More precisely, as a child in Milan, he lived with his mother above an urban garage, a place that was a hidden world for him, almost a movie scene in which sports cars were parked under tarpaulins behind ordinary doors. Whenever their Fiat Uno broke down, and Ivan tells us it broke down often, it was an opportunity to peek into the back of the garage.

His first “automotive literature” was Auto, Moto und Sport , and his father, a great enthusiast who collected cars for years, also played a special role in everything. He still collects them today, Ivan says, but he will never openly admit it. Cars have been a part of his life from the beginning, a part of everyday life and a part of his identity that was formed long before his professional journey.

Why the Porsche 944?

“I've always been a fan of underdog cars. The 944 is that “other Porsche ” that isn't the Carrera , and in the early 80s it helped Porsche get back on its feet. It's reliable, dynamic, in a great original color, and with a character that sets it apart.” - Ivan Levak

What makes your car special and what attracted you to it in the first place?

Ivan Levak: Pop-up lamps and history! Since the moment of ordering in Los Angeles , the car has been driven by only one person. It came with a black briefcase full of documents, receipts and mementos from the first owner. Every time I open the trunk and see the rubber rear spoiler, I am reminded of how sincere and enthusiastic this car is.

The story with Ivan quickly intertwines with his professional world. A product designer by profession, Ivan returned to design relatively recently, after his life path took him in various directions. He is currently working in his studio on a glass chandelier and a stainless steel chest of drawers for an office space, while his series project is a mini version of the Vassa vase, called Pikola . As in driving, in design he looks for what he likes the most – cleanliness, functionality and emotion, elements that make each item special and authentic.

Is there any detail on your car that is particularly important to you as a product designer?

interesting?

Ivan Levak: The pop-up lights are what particularly excites me. Although many sports cars of the time had similar solutions, Porsche is best known for its round “frog eyes” on the 911. That’s why the 944, with its pop-up lights and curved rear window, has its own unique character and personality, completely different from the 911.

What was your first car and which car remains your favorite to this day?

“The first car was a Suzuki Maruti 800, followed immediately by a red VW Polo wagon, the “Red Arrow”. My favorite car in my memories is the second-generation Toyota 4Runner.” - Ivan Levak

When we asked him if his Porsche 944 is a daily driver or reserved for special occasions, Ivan smiled. He says he uses it as much as time allows. He enjoys driving it most early in the morning or late at night, whether it's to go to the gym, the cinema or dinner. He rarely stands in traffic, as he prefers cycling and quiet traffic, and for him the 944 is more of a pleasure and freedom than a daily obligation.

Your car was made in Europe, it “lived” in the USA for a while, and now it’s back again.

here. Do you have any interesting stories or anecdotes from that period?

Ivan Levak: The car was among the first 944 models in the US, driven by an electrical engineer, and after retirement he drove it for trips to Lake Tahoe . After his death in 2017, the family sold it and the car accidentally returned to Europe, to Rijeka to be exact.

Your Porsche has a Type 7 sticker. Can you tell us more about that?

Ivan Levak: Type 7 is a lifestyle platform that combines adventure travel, a love of Porsche , architecture, design and art. Their idea is to connect the passion for cars with travel and culture, creating content and guides that inspire drivers and enthusiasts to explore new destinations. I received my sticker at their booth in Milan, along with a city guide, which made the whole experience even more special.

In addition to design, Ivan also found his way into the hospitality industry. He recalls his experience in the Netherlands, where he worked intensively with the local population and learned a lot about tourism and hospitality management. With this knowledge, and with the help of a family friend, he transformed an old boat garage into Duba Beach Bar on Hvar, which quickly became a favorite spot for nature lovers and a relaxed atmosphere.

You are a member of the Registro Italiano Transaxle Association. Can you explain what this is about?

Ivan Levak: This is a classic car club in northern Italy for Porsche models 924, 944, 928 and 968. It is a dynamic community of enthusiasts where we share experiences, technical solutions and tips on how to best enjoy driving. In addition to technical topics, the club is also a place where friendships are made, anecdotes from the road are exchanged and the passion for these cars is enjoyed in the company of like-minded people.

Life has taken you from Milan to Berlin. Do you think these destinations are

shaped your character and approach to product design?

“Every trip changes perception and the creative process. Staying in Milan and Berlin shaped new ideas and perspectives. Every destination brings us back as a new version of ourselves, I would say.” - Ivan Levak

Favorite route to take your Porsche 944?

Ivan Levak: A night ride from Lanište through the tunnel to the avenue, then over the NSB through Miramarska, or an early morning weekend ride to Sljeme, especially when it snows.