Arachnophilia Porsche Style

Similar in presentation and style to other books in the Ludvigsen Library Series, Porsche Spyders 1956 – 1964 provides a brief yet compelling overview of the cars that came to be known as “Giant Killers”.

Ludvigsen’s clear and concise writing style provides the reader with an introduction documenting the storied racing history of theses sports-racers built on the foundation of the Porsche Type 550.

“a completely new frame underneath the 550A of 1956, which externally looked little different from its well loved 550 predecessor. All it had in common with the previous ladder-type frame were transverse tubes containing its torsion-bar springs.”

Predating the “White Racers” from Zuffenhausen, Porsche’s silver Spyders (of the mid 50’s to early 60’s) delivered what many considered to be the marques “greatest victory” since the company began manufacturing cars; the overall win at the 1956 Targa Florio by Umberto Maglioli at the wheel of a Spyder 550A. Not known to rest on their laurels, Porsche placed 2nd in ’58 and took overall wins again in ’59, ’60 and ’63. In those few years where a Spyder wasn’t to be found in the lead, Porsche Spyders would never be found trailing further behind then third place. An impressive record in one of the sports most demanding races ever and only a small part of the “remarkable overall finishes and wins that gained them the “Giantkiller” nickname.

Each page of this wonderful history is filled with deliciously detailed black and white photographs that, at times, complete the story more so than the accompanying narrative.

About the Author Karl Ludvigsen

In 2003, Karl Ludvigsen was awarded the Friend of Automotive History Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Society of Automotive Historians. He is also a three-time winner of their Cugnot award for best book of the year. Ludvigsen has served as technical editor of Auto Age and Sports Cars Illustrated magazines, as east coast editor of Motor Trend and as editor of Car and Driver. He has also worked on the inside of the motor industry at senior levels with General Motors, Fiat and Ford.

His Porsche history, Porsche: Excellence Was Expected, is considered by many to be a model of the researching and writing of the history of an auto company.

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