Porsche Race Car Classic photos

[Andrew Hosking]

I have way too many photos collected over the years - I just match them with each build and file them for easy reference. It is a classic shot which shows both cars original.

[Joris Koning]

Andrew, love the picture, thanks for sharing. Is there any hypothesis out there when the car lost its top? I do believe that the top was part of the car when delivered from Wendler to Porsche? Also where does the first 4-cam engine come into the equation?

[Vic Skirmants]

550-03 debuted in practice at the Nurburgring, 1953. It wore #131 T (for "training").
#131 that weekend was 550-02. At the time it had a 4-cam, but the engine was not revealed to the public. There are no photos anywhere that I am aware of, that show the top. The top probably was delivered with the car, but seems to never have been run in public. Certainly not in Mexico.

[Joris Koning]

Interesting data Vic, thanks. I have seen pictures of 550-03 being constructed and at that time it had the top.

With regard to the 4-cam engine. The below picture shows what probably must be one of the first 4-cam engines. The heads are unique (see part number in the casting and the valve covers) Note sure if this is the engine which might have run in 550-03 but it must be an early one. Perhaps some of our 4-cam expert can chime in.

[Vic Skirmants]

Hi Joris,
Where did you see photos of 550-03 under construction? I assume you mean back in 1953, not at Joe Cavaglieri's shop?
Thank you for any leads you can give me. I only know the photos in all the usual printed references.

[Joris Koning]

Vic,

It was a period (53) picture a friend showed me. I am not sure where he got it but I had never seen it before. Sorry I can not be of more help.

Best,

Joris

[Vic Skirmants]

That would be fantastic to find that! I hope you are still friends with that person.

[Frederic Prince]

what are the carburetors on these 550 ???

[Frederic Prince]

on the two 550 in mexico, not the 4cam with Ferry !

[Joris Koning]

They are the same as the ones seen in the picture with Ferry

[mats carlsson]

Oh yeah; authenticity.
Like 550-03 running with a top and a Carrera engine in the 1953 Mexican road race!
Funny, I can't seem to find any photos of that.

maybe this is why...

Hi,
I found out that the knees sticking out belongs to Karl Kling!

very best from

[Frederic Prince]

sorry, I'd have said : what are the air filter instead of carburetors ?

[mats carlsson]

Andrew,
All kidding aside; where did you find that splendid photo?

The photographer must be Ralph Morse of the Life Magazine.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/show ... p?t=470665
Wonderful pictures!

[Alan Hall]

Regarding the carbs on the pushrod 550 in Mexico, it is hard to make out what they are. Apparently the aircleaners are individual per throat. The factory used some odd carb setups on the early competition pushrod motors. The '52 LeMans engines used, I believe, Solex 30PAAI carbs with the two throats siameased into one, feeding a standard manifold....very odd setup!
Alan

[Alan Hall]

Looking at all the photos and linked photos of the '53 Carrera Panamerica there seem to be 4 550 spyders running, 2 open cars race numbers 159 and 160 as well as 2 closed cars, race numbers 152 and 154. Does anyone know what chassis numbers went with which car?
Alan