Spyder 550 550A

[Porschinelle]

A not too frequently published pic of Annie Bousquet before the start of the Reims 12 hours June 30th 1956 where she killed herself
Annie is the lady in blue suit alongside her 550 start number 32
The pretty girl in front is Gilberte Thirion who entered this race with a Gordini
Annie Bousquet as well as on this other pic look very tired





On the contrary of Annie Bousquet Gilberte Thirion was very fit
So fit that she is seen here pushing her Gordini in the Reims straight trying to reach back the pit

[Porschinelle]

In June 1954 Porsche entered 4 official cars (550 010/011/012/013) but came in fact with 6 off cars as seen on this Pic taken by the Porsche publicity dept under the Dunlop bridge a few days before the race

[Porschinelle]

From these 6 cars only 5 took part to the qualifying session

[Porschinelle]

Sorry please amend what I writed above as follow
Start team Richard Von Frankenberg/Helm Glockler drove car start number 40 which is the car seen with the engine out
Car start number 41 was driven during the race by Hans Hermann/Helmut Polensky
Both cars were DNF
Only 2 cars finish the race
Car number 39 driven by the Belgian Team Johnny Claes/Paul Strasse finish 12 th overall but first in 1.5 L class


Car number 47 driven by Zora Arkus Duntow/Gonzague Olivier, finish 14th overall but also 1st in class 1.1 L

[Porschinelle]

Car start number 39 was 550 012
Car start number 40 was 550 010
Car start number 41 was 550 011
Car start number 47 was 550 013

May be Steve or Andrew may tell us what chassis number were the 2 spare cars

Some other well known pics of the 1956 Le Mans 24 hours

[Porschinelle]

Two weeks after Le Mans (June 30th) 2 off 550 entered the Reims 12 hours race a non world championship race
One entered by Porsche KG with race number 41 was driven by Richard Von Frankenberg/Helmut Polensky
Another one entered by Sonauto with race number 40 was driven by Auguste Veuillet and Gonzague Olivier
Both cars reach the finish line
Richard Von Frankenberg was 8th overall and first in class 1.5 L
Veuillet was 13th overall and 2nd in class 1.5
Although these cars show same start number (40/41)than 2 off the Le Mans cars, these cars ware different numbers
On the Le Mans cars the number 4 is closed with a perfect triangle, on the contrary both Reims cars show open 4
Furthermore cars 40 and 41 had 1.6 L engines for the Le Mans race and 1.5 L engines for Reims
Steve and Andrew which chassis number are they ?

[Porschinelle]

[Porschinelle]

Question for Andrew
Is this car seen at the 2012 Villa d'Este Concours 550 010 ?

[Type550]

You are correct:
#40 is 550-10
#41 is 550-11

the spyder at 2012 Villa d'Este Concours is 550-10

[Type550]

[Type550]

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[Type550]

[356]

[Porschinelle]

Jean Plassart French gentleman driver living in Morocoo at the wheel of his 550 at the Casablanca sport car race (1959 or 1960 ?)