-
Ah Roger,
Usually at this time I am doing a thread about the Laguna Seca Historic Meet but it was not to be the case this year.
There is even talk that the track may be sold for housing development which would indeed be a sad occasion.
Another entrant at Santa Barbara in 1955 was movie actor James Dean driving a Porsche 356 Super Speedster # 33

Dean liked the look of the Porsche 550 Spyder that was being raced at Santa Barbara.

James Dean purchased a brand new Porsche 550 Spyder when he returned to Los Angeles.
It was in his new car about 3 weeks after the Santa Barbara races, that he was killed in a high speed collision about 140 miles further north.
And the legend of James Dean began and the place of his accident is visited by many to this day.
(Ken H)
Last edited by khyndart in CA; 08-17-2020 at 06:11 AM.
-
World Champion
Thanks, Ken H,
- have read a book about James Dean with quite a section on the Cars [ the two Porsche' ] and that accident. He was supposed to have the car on the trailer towed by the Ford Wagon, but he and Ralf decided to drive it, being hit by Donald Turnupseed [ spelling ? ] at the junction. Lots of theories as to why ?? the sun, reflections etc, etc..
Cheers
Roger
-
During 1956 Ken Miles was part of the British George Eyston team that went to the Bonneville salt flats in Utah with a beautiful MG Special to set some international speed records.
I found this 20 minute YouTube clip most interesting.
(Ken H)
-
For the 1956 racing season in California, Miles had put his skills into taking a 1955 Cooper T39 "Bobtail" sports car and he put in a Porsche 550 Spyder engine which allowed the front radiator to be removed and produced a sleek and again an instant winner including the races at Santa Barbara and a new track that he helped design at the Paramount Ranch north of Los Angeles.

Once again in his favorite number 50 Ken Miles drives to victory in the Cooper Porsche {Pooper}
(Allen Kuhn photo )

Another view of # 50 in 1956.
(Ken H)
-
-
-
The next day Ruth came out again and easily won the ladies race.
Collecting a course marker cone on the way.

(Al Moss photo.)
After five laps Ruth was so far ahead at the finish and no other competitor was in sight !

(Ruth Levy collection )
Ruth's daughter Jackie, told me today that she remembers gatherings at her home and many drivers would come around to visit after driving at the Paramount and other races.
Such as; Phil Hill, who was a lifelong friend, Richie Ginther, Dan Gurney, Lance Reventlow, Dan Gurney etc.
Jackie was about 6 years old but it was a wonderful memory that she has never forgotten especially as she had no dad and these visitors treated her like a little princess.
( Ken H )
Last edited by khyndart in CA; 02-21-2021 at 08:32 AM.
-
World Champion
Good stuff Ken H,
Thanks for sharing .. and I have been to Solvang, the " Danish Town " of the Pacific Central Coast, California - interesting place.
-
Ruth was trying to get quicker in her Porsche 356 Speedster and one day in January 1957 went to the Willow Springs circuit inland from LA and was running laps against fellow Speedster drivers including Dan Gurney. Carroll Shelby was there with his team owner John Edgar. They were impressed enough with Ruth's previous results and her driving that day plus John wanted to add a female driver to his stable of drivers so he invited Ruth to join the team which was a tremendous opportunity for her and she did not disappoint the team in 1957.
Once upon a time, long before the Penske fleet …
One of the very first Big Race Car Transporters on the racing scene, parked here at the Palm Springs Airport in November 1956. The hot-rodded GMC tractor hauled this Fruehauf trailer designed to carry three race cars and fitted with stove, refrigerator, sink, well-stocked liquor and Champagne bar, and four pull-down sleep bunks. The two John Edgar-owned Ferraris are (left) the former factory 1954 Le Mans-winning 375 Plus s/n 0396AM (rebodied by Scaglietti) # 78 and the 1955 Carroll Shelby-driven Palm Springs-race winning 410 Sport s/n 0598CM. # 98. An Edgar 550 Porsche Spyder rests snugly inside the famous, gleaming rig topped with observation deck..

Ruth Levy was assigned a 1955 Porsche Type 550 Spyder # 0047 that had been driven in races in Europe including the 1955 Le Mans where it finished 4th in that tragic race.

Previous drivers included Wolfgang Von Trips, Hans Herrmann and Stirling Moss.
(As Jackie says "I wish Mum had tucked this one away in a garage back then" which is rather an understatement!)
Stirling drove the car # 34 at the 1955 Goodwood 9 hour race.
"In August 1955, the Porsche 550s were back, this time for the nine hour Goodwood. Seidel and Steed in 550-15 with #35 came in 3rd place in the 1.5 class, but the main focus was on Stirling Moss who was assessing different teams to join following the withdrawal of Mercedes from the competition resulting from the tragic Le Mans accident. Teamed up with von Hanstein in 550-0047 with race #34, unfortunately they were forced to retire on the 237th lap due to an accident."




Stirling Moss in Porsche # 34 chasing a Cooper T40 Bristol # 23 through the Goodwood Chicane. 1955.
(Ken H)
Last edited by khyndart in CA; 02-24-2021 at 04:44 PM.
-
After competing in Europe during 1955, the Porsche factory brought the 1955 Porsche Type 550 Spyder # 0047 over to Florida
to compete in 1956 12 Hour Race at Sebring. March `1956. As car number 41. It came in 6th driven by Hans Herrmann and Wolfgang Von Trips.


( Ken H )
Last edited by khyndart in CA; 02-25-2021 at 08:02 AM.
-
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules