A Conversation with Filip Tejszerski,
  Cali Off-Road Machine
  Competition Winner
  With Local Motors' Ariel Ferreira

AF: Where are you from?

FT: I was born in Poland, moved to Australia when I was 6 years old and I've lived here ever since.

AF: I can see why you stay! Your pictures are beautiful. I think we're all planning on making a trip now that we know someone in Australia.

FT: You'll all have to design a Local Motors Boat and come over here!

AF: Do you design boats? I think I saw one in your portfolio.

FT: Yea, I design boats. I design just about everything. Cars, boats, [you name it].

AF: When did your love of cars and car design begin?

FT: My parents found out when I was drawing cars all over my room walls. I was about 7 or 8.

AF: Nice! How were the drawings, were they pretty good?

FT: They were sick, hot. It was more of a coloring-in exercise, just flights of fancy. Colorful objects with wheels.
After that they got me paper of unusual size, a scroll about 4 meters long because I would just draw long trains of cars. I still have that scroll.

AF: Can we see it? I would love to see a picture of that scroll!

Filip Tejszerski 1986 (Age 11)

AF: Where did you go to Design School?

FT: University of Newcastle, Australia

AF: What is your favorite car vs. your favorite car design? Is your answer the same for both?

FT: My favorite car design? Buggati Veyron is delicious and exciting, but would I want to drive it everyday? It might be too much considering petrol prices, but I suppose if you can afford a Buggati you don't worry about that.

Things that make me happy in a car are quite simple, I like functionality. I'm a fan of classic cars, for instance the Lamborghini Miura. It won a few design awards in its time, it's a classic, it's a beautiful form and it drives well. And it has character, not many cars have character and I guess that's what I'm attracted to most. I like cars with unafraid shapes like long bonnets and long tails - nice proportions.

I use to take inspiration from 1930s cars. That was the beginning of car design as a profession especially in the US, just before the war.

AF: Do you think your Off-Roading experience influenced your design and gave you an advantage in this particular California Off-Road competition?

FT: I felt the background for the competition. My Mitsubishi does what it's supposed to do, it's 4wd, it's got the guts, does what it's supposed to do. I'm a 4wd man.

AF: Why is the PanTerra so big?

FT: Because the engineering guidelines allowed me to, so I made use of that. I exploited the maximum allowable space. And the space could fit in the required passengers. It needed to be big. It has a strong stance, like a squashed frog, to fit three passengers in the front and three in the back.

AF: You are obviously a car design lover, are you also a car guy in the sense that you like to get under the hood and make modifications and fix your cars?

FT: Not so serious modifications. I've put a lift kit and big tires on it. I like to tinker with radio control models also. Planes, flying wings, I like toys just like my son - I love cars

AF: What is your son's name? I've seen a few pictures of him.

FT: My son's name is Mikolai.

AF: Good name, he's really cute.

FT: Thanks. Do you have any kids?

AF: No, no kids yet. But I will be married in June.

FT: Which day?

AF: June 21st.

FT: We'll be married June 28th. We've already had a civil marriage but we're going to Poland for the church wedding.

AF: Oh wow! Congratulations, that's exciting!

FT: Yea, congratulations to you too.

AF: Thanks. So, what are your favorite designs in the Local Motors Community?

FT: I've seen a few, and I've put up one on my profile wall that's really beautiful (Arifin Sanotoso's Ferrari Enzo). There have been a few others, I just have to get around to posting them.

AF: Is there a designers who's style you really get into? Do you have a favorite designer?

FT: Yes, Giorgetto Giugiaro . I almost met him. I corresponded with his son and I've been to his studio. But he was very busy at that time and he couldn't make it. I've read all about him and I've seen his work, his earliest work shown to me by his old employer, stuff that isn't out in the public. I love his style and his approach... his approach stems from real-world engineering guidelines. He works styling from there. He starts profile sketches from the package layout, draws the people and the engine and goes from there.

I've met other famous designers and I've been mentored by Francoise Lampreia who was the design manager at Idea Institute. He passed away while I was there, had a heart attack. That's when I left. It just made me realize that the stress of such a high caliber position is not worth your life. At the time I wanted to be like him, slowly moving up the ladder and then I realized it's not the way to go. I have a totally different approach to work now.

AF: Do you stand by your decision?

FT: Yes.

AF: Which designers are you expecting great things from for the Miami Road Racer Competition?

FT: Ben-J , and also the guy who did my favorite design, Arifin Santoso .

AF: If the PanTerra was an animal, what type of animal would it be?

FT: A Pantera, which is the same as panther. I worked out the name of the PanTerra, so it's cross-country, Pan as in Pan-America, and Terra, Earth, and the animal, Pantera. The animal is spelled with one 'r'.

AF: Wow, I didn't realize all that. Triple Entendre!

AF: Would you be interested in further developing your design with Local Motors, or do you consider the project completed?

FT: Personally I would be, it's just a matter of time and availability and the amount of work required from me. It's not that I'm unwilling to participate; it's just that it would be hard considering I have a full time job and a family. It just depends on what's required.

AF: You can always tell when a designer has had real-world studio experience, because this is the typical response! The Local Motors Design Studio will develop the designs further because it is necessary since we're building a prototype (though we haven't chosen a body design yet), but we would love for you to be involved to the extent you want.

AF: We would just send you the changes on the site or via email. We may ask you for suggestions as we discover areas that need changing. Basically, we want you to be involved to the extent you desire.

FT: Well, yea. If it was just correspondence online, of course. I couldn't say no because I'm involved.

AF: Thanks so much for the interview and taking the time to chat with me. I should let you get back to work!

Mack Eastwood Update

AF: Do you think we could speak to Mack Eastwood and get an insider's perspective on the PanTerra?

FT: He has sent a telegram from Miami. I thought he was off to Brazil, but as usual he pulled a diversion tactic. (still living Vietnam). Anyway, I can't seem to contact him! He is not one for cell phones or email. But let me answer these questions on his behalf.

AF: What does it feel like to drive the PanTerra?

FT: I often recall him saying only these three words, after his first test drive in the PanTerra: "about bloody time" judging by what he does with the car, and where he goes - I'd say it fits him like a glove. PanTerra is a raging indestructible beast like no other when you need it, yet just as quickly switches to a graceful stallion with a smooth yet athletic ride.

AF: What vehicle did Mack own before the PanTerra?

FT: Mack never 'owned' a vehicle per se. And knowing him, he couldn't find anything to his standards. Until the PanTerra that is. He has tested highly secret land/air craft for the military before. Some say, he worked in Area 51.

AF: How did Mack fare in Brazil?

FT: Well, we now know that he was in Miami, Florida, and not Brazil. (guerilla diversion tactics). He has met his daughter, Kayusa. She is 33 years old, living amongst street racers. Her mother died when she was 3 months old.

I have to ask Mack when he gets back a bit more about her mother, Miriam. I don't know what he plans next, but he sent a photo of Kayusa's last winning car.

Apparently, they will be working together on a new entry for this year's Miami race competition...

AF: Thanks again for your time! We can't wait to see what you come up with next.