Re: 1949 Porsche Gmund Cars

[911quest]

Thats very cool!

[356]

[356]

[911quest]

Later door handles??

[gerrymc547]

Re: 23669
What ever it is, I've never seen it before. It appears to be on a VW platform, (wheelbase, hubcaps) and perhaps uses a VW roof/ rear window panel. Does anyone recognize the small,oval body builders badge? Where was the picture taken, and, when?

[356]

[356]

[Porschinelle]

8 months ago at the start of this topic I related that for only one race (the 1964 Evian Thonon Geneva rallye) the famous Gilberte Thirion 356GT 061 had the engine fitted in front of the transaxle as on the 550 spyder
Both Julien and SJ were quite surprised

[Porschinelle]

I have found to day a copy of an article writen by Jacques Mertens (the actual owner of 356 061 in the French Porsche magazine Flat 6 about his car with a pic showing the engine in reverse position
I

believe this pic will answer some of SJ interogations

[Porschinelle]

27/02 2nd of March 1952 Paris Saint Raphael rallye reserved to women drivers
First race of my favorite lady driver Gilberte Thirion with her bright new 356 SL 061 with her father Max as co pilot
During the race, the boot door not well attached flew away
Gilberte finish that race in 4th place and 2nd in class
For the closing ceremony she had the idea to replace the lost door by a whole bunch of flowers

[356]

Thank you Porschinelle!

[roy mawbey]

Wow, what an interesting thread. I too was just not sure in my mind how they could reverse the engine. That is a lot of work. Then to see the photos, well it certainly suprised me thanks so much for finding and posting these as well as the really great Gmund photos on this thread.

Roy

[S.J.Szabo]

Mr.Porschinelle:

That (061's modification) is truly remarkable. But then, you have shown an uncanny talent for contributing many such jewels of Porsche history. You may count me among your fans.

Apparently I also misunderstood you to say that the engine was turned back to its original configuration after its first outing, as the more current article photos clearly show it was not. Too bad that there were not more to show how it was done. The torsion bar issue is especially interesting.

I confess that I am also curious about what appears to be a data plate fixed to some indistinct surface above the engine in the foto. I wonder if this is some sort of clue as to who did the conversion...

Was this car raced much after the experiment?

At any rate, thanks for the follow-up illumination.

A general PS: I reckon we can now see where the idea for louvered rear side windows came from.

[356]

[Porschinelle]

SJ wrote