Driven by Ferdinand “Fred” Picard and Eugène Martin, the Porsche 356 No. 47, competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14–15, 1952, entered by French privateer Auguste Lachaize in the S1.5 class (1100–1500cc). The car, a 356 SL modified to a 1.5-liter specification, was disqualified in the 19th hour for refueling with the engine running, a violation of Le Mans rules.
The Porsche 356 SL (Type 514, Modified)
The Porsche 356 SL (“Super Light,” Type 514) was a race-oriented version of the 356, originally built in Gmünd, Austria, with an aluminium body for the 1951 Le Mans race. For 1952, the No. 47 was modified to compete in the S1.5 class with a larger engine. Key specifications:
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Chassis: Aluminum box-section frame, weighing ~650 kg, lighter than standard 356s.
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Engine: 1.5-litre (1488cc) air-cooled flat-four, derived from Volkswagen, producing ~70 bhp (up from the 1.1-litre’s 51 bhp). This was a compromise, as Porsche’s advanced four-cam “Fuhrmann” engine was not yet race-ready.
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Transmission: Four-speed manual (Volkswagen-derived), a known weak point under racing stress.
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Body: Streamlined aluminum coupe with covered wheels, nicknamed the “aluminum can” by mechanics, achieving a top speed of ~165–170 km/h (102–106 mph).
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Tyres: Continental, standard for Porsche entries.
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Modifications: The No. 47 was upgraded from its 1951 1.1-litre setup to a 1.5-litre engine, presented at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show, to compete in the higher S1.5 class.
Drivers
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Ferdinand “Fred” Picard (France, age ~30): A French driver with experience in rallying and sports car racing, Picard was a Le Mans debutant in 1952. His background is sparsely documented, but he was likely a gentleman driver chosen for reliability and local knowledge.
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Eugène Martin (France, age 37): A seasoned racer with a notable pre-war career, Martin competed in Formula One (1950) and sports car races, including Le Mans 1950 (Simca-Gordini, DNF). His experience made him the lead driver, capable of pushing the 356’s limits.
Auguste Lachaize and the Team
Unlike Porsche’s factory entries (No. 50 and No. 51), the No. 47 was entered by French privateer Auguste Lachaize, a customer team owner. Lachaize leveraged Porsche’s growing reputation after their 1951 class win to field a competitive car in the S1.5 class, aiming to challenge larger-displacement rivals like Jowett Jupiter. The car was prepared with support from Porsche’s Stuttgart facility, but as a privateer entry, it lacked the factory’s full technical backing.
