2022 Porsche 911 Carrera S Panamerica Special celebrates 1952 again
Over the summer time, Porsche North America unwrapped its celebration of the 1952 356 America Version with a 2022 Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet America Version. Once we bought up near the automobile on the Sports activities Automotive Collectively Fest final month, we discovered how a lot work the design groups put into making its specials particular. The yr 1952 included an even bigger and extra profitable triumph than the 356 America Version: Class victory within the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana, a 3,000-kilometer highway race via Mexico that was just like the Baja for passenger automobiles. This was the occasion’s third yr, and automakers had been already eyeing it as a torture check for race automobiles. Mercedes-Benz completed 1-2 in 1952 with a pair of 300 SLs, and would decide half of the race identify for its Panamericana grille. Porsche’s first tilt on the race ended with eighth total and that class win, plus choosing the opposite half of the race identify for a spread of engines within the Nineteen Sixties then making use of it to the 911 highway automobiles.
Porsche Mexico and Porsche Latin America are celebrating the automobile and the victory with a 911 Carrera S Panamericana Particular. In distinction to the 100 examples the U.S. and Canada will get of the America Version, our neighbors to the south have commissioned Porsche Manufaktur to product one Panamericana Particular. The area did the identical in 2021 with a gulf-livered 911 Turbo S that commemorated Mexican racing driver Pedro Rodriguez. The Rodriguez automobile got here along with the assistance of the late driver’s household. This time, designers used footage from the 1952 race and the recollections of the Porsche group’s co-pilot for the #10 automobile and sole mechanic on the race, Herbert Linge.
The convertible itself options Gentian Blue paint offset by white roundels with the quantity 11, similar because the 356 S Cabriolet pushed by Prince Fürst von Metternich and diplomat Baron Manuel De Teffé that crossed the road (the #10 Porsche did not end). The highest is Graffiti Grey, a shade that may’t usually be had on the 911. Stated Grant Larson, Porsche’s head of particular tasks, “Graffiti grey shouldn’t be accessible for the roof of the 911, so we had to make use of the canvas of the 718 Spyder, which makes this practice mannequin from the Sonderwunsch particular order division the one 911 on the earth with that roof shade.” The engine cowl’s been painted white, the vertical third brake lights darkened to look extra like an “11.” The 20- and 21-inch 911 Turbo wheels are color-matched to the Gentian Blue physique, with grey middle caps, hiding black brake calipers as an alternative of the same old purple.
The inside lashes up Crayon grey leather-based all through, the seat headrests embroidered with “La Carrera Panamericana” and classic helmets. The race identify additionally exhibits up on the sprint plaque, the door sills, the laser-etched key case, and the puddle lights.
As with the Rodriguez automobile, this one might be auctioned subsequent yr, a part of the proceeds going to charity. Classic racing fans who need to get an insider’s have a look at the race or watch Linge recall his expertise, head to the Porsche Motorsports Latin America web site.
