The Porsche 356 SL (Type 514)
The Porsche 356 SL (“Super Light,” Type 514) was a purpose-built race car based on the 356/2, designed for the 1951 Le Mans race and refined for 1952. Built at Porsche’s Gmünd, Austria facility and finalized at Reutter in Stuttgart, it was tailored for the 1100cc class. Key specifications for the No. 50 (chassis 356/2-062):
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Chassis: Aluminum box-section frame, weighing ~640 kg, significantly lighter than the steel-bodied 356s. This chassis provided superior rigidity compared to Volkswagen-derived platforms.
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Engine: 1.1-litre (1086cc) air-cooled flat-four (Type 369), producing ~51 bhp in 1952, up from 46 bhp in 1951 due to tuning improvements. The engine was rear-mounted, with a 78-litre fuel tank for extended range.
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Transmission: Four-speed manual (Volkswagen-derived), a known weak point, though the No. 50 avoided issues that plagued other entries.
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Body: Streamlined aluminium coupe with covered wheels, nicknamed the “aluminium can” by mechanics, achieving a top speed of ~160 km/h (100 mph). The car was modified with a higher roof to meet Italian race regulations, though this was less critical for Le Mans.
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Tyres: Continental, standard for Porsche factory entries.
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License Plate: W83-4080, per race records.
The 356 SL embodied Porsche’s philosophy of lightweight design and aerodynamic efficiency, compensating for modest power with reliability and handling. Its 1951 class win (No. 46, Veuillet/Mouche) set high expectations for 1952.
Drivers
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Auguste Veuillet (France, age ~38): The French Porsche importer and a key figure in the brand’s early motorsport efforts, Veuillet debuted at Le Mans in 1949 (Delage 3L, with Mouche). His 1951 class win with Mouche (No. 46, 20th overall) established Porsche’s Le Mans legacy. Veuillet’s business acumen led to the creation of Sonauto, Porsche’s French import agency, with Mouche.
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Edmond Mouche (France, age 52): A Le Mans local born in Etival-lès-Le Mans, Mouche was a versatile driver with a pre-war career in rallying and circuit racing. He ran a garage and competed at Le Mans in 1949 (Delage, DNF) and 1951 (Porsche, class win). His 1952 performance with Veuillet improved their previous result by seven laps, cementing their partnership. Mouche later contributed to Sonauto and was honored as a knight of the Ordre National du Mérite in 1974.
Porsche KG and the Team
Porsche KG, led by Ferry Porsche, entered three 356 SL Coupes in 1952, building on their 1951 success:
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No. 50 (Veuillet/Mouche): Finished 11th overall, 1st in S1.1.
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No. 51 (Huschke von Hanstein/Petermax Müller): Retired after six hours (gearbox failure).
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No. 47 (Auguste Lachaize/Eugène Martin): Disqualified in the 19th hour for refueling with the engine running.
The No. 50 was a factory entry, prepared at Reutter’s Stuttgart facility, with chassis 356/2-062 optimized for reliability. Porsche’s participation, encouraged by race director Charles Faroux at the 1950 Paris Motor Show, marked their emergence as a competitive German marque post-World War II.
