The Road to Le Mans - Day 1
From Zuffenhausen to Teloché - May 30 through June 1, 2023
While researching the background of Porsche 356/2 SL 063 for the book 46: The Birth of Porsche Motorsport the itinerary that the Porsche team would follow in 1951 when they drove the 2 race cars from Zuffenhausen to Teloché was provided to us. The document listed the dates, departure times and cities along the route. After a little additional searching a map from 1951 was also found. The documents were included in the book and added additional background on the Porsche team’s adventure.
Porsche had requested that SL 063 be available in France for promotional videos used for a limited-edition GT and display at the company’s Zuffenhausen museum. The Automobile Museum de la Sarthe requested the car be available for presentation in the museum’s 100th anniversary display.
It only made sense that as we had the details on the 1951 trip and SL 063 would need to be transported from Zuffenhausen to Le Mans that we recreate the original trip. In 1951 Porsche drove the cars on the road, for the 2023 redo we would require a towing service, but our goal was to make stops so the car could be driven through some of the French villages that the team passed through in 1951.
Cameron Healy researched towing options and contracted with Hein de Groen owner of VIC Services b.v.. As an option, de Groen offers bespoke graphics to cover the trailer. While the details were being negotiated for the towing service, I laid out the route on the current roads and made the necessary hotel reservations for the team. With the assistance of Peter Albrecht (German translation), David Hustache (French translation), and Jodi Ellis (Design) “Hero Cards” were created to handout during the trip. Cameron also had 46: The Road to Le Mans T shirts made up for the team members.
The team included Cameron Healy (expedition leader and patron), Tony Hatter (storyteller), Elliot Wagenblatt (navigator), Bill Wagenblatt (photographer), and Hein de Groen/VIC Services b.v. (transporter). With the support of Porsche, we were able to start the trip from Porsche Werk I in Zuffenhausen and finish at Rue du 8 Mai in Teloché, the garage that Porsche first used in 1951 and would continue until the early 80s.
Day 1, May 30, 2023
Early Tuesday, May 30th the team assembled at the Porsche museum. The timeline had us taking delivery of the car from the Porsche Museum workshop when the museum opened and towing it the few blocks to Porsche Werk I for a photo shoot. We hoped to be on the road by noon. As so often happens reality step in. We entered the Porsche workshop at opening and the car wouldn’t start. This was going to be a problem. As the day was a holiday there were few people around and after spending too much time trying to start the car, we were in danger of losing the window to photograph SL 063 in the Werk I courtyard.
Time for manual labor. We pushed the car out of the museum and onto the trailer. Prior to shipping the car to Europe we had put together a manual detailing the instructions on how to move the car, operating details, etc. We were proud of the document, but when we had the car ready to push on the trailer it was obvious that we hadn’t taking into consideration the narrow track of the 356 Porsche. Vic Services trailer ramps were designed for contemporary cars and not the narrow wheel track of the 1951 Porsche. While Hein de Groen monitored, we gently pushed SL 063 to the ramp and there was just enough room for the tires, as long as we pushed the car straight on.
The Porsche team started its 1951 Le Mans journey from the Reutter facility (Werk II). That site was not available, but Porsche provided access to the Porsche Engineering building (Werk I) in Zuffenhausen. Although not historically accurate, Werk I was where the Porsche executive management team had their offices.
At the conclusion of the photoshoot it was back to the museum workshop to resolve the starting issue. After a bit of tinkering the technical issues were resolved and the 1100cc 4-cylinder burst into life.
We thanked the Porsche staff, including Caroline Weller-Bierbrauer and Kuno Werner for their assistance and hospitality and set off On the Road to Le Mans.
Loading SL 063 at the Porsche Museum
All hands-on deck as SL 063 is (gently) pushed on to the VIC Services b.v. trailer
The original plan was for Cameron, Tony, and Bill in the lead car to navigate. Walkie-talkies were used to connect the two vehicles. Frequently the lead car would set a route and soon there would be a crackle on the walkie-talkie and Elliot would politely suggest we relook at the selection. It was soon decided that Elliot, riding with Hein in the VIC Services b.v. tow vehicle, was better able to navigate, provide directions, and effectively leading from behind.
Stop at Baiersbronn – one of the goals of the trip was to experience what it was like driving the post-WW II roads. When we were able to find a spot to off-load SL 063, Cameron would fire up the 1100cc engine and we’d capture images of the car on the old roads.
SL 063 Cruising on Side Roads in Baiersbronn, Germany
SL 063 Cruising on the Road in Baiersbronn, Germany
Due to construction around the Rhine River crossing to Strasbourg, we did a slight detour south to cross the river. Tony Hatter remarked that we’d be close to Molsheim and it would be fun to check out the Bugatti works.
We challenged Hein with some interesting roads through the Black Forest and soon after crossing into France we arrived at Molsheim. The new Bugatti factory was off-limits, but we were able to see the original Bugatti buildings – Soul stirring for the enthusiast.
After the various delays it was getting late and the team decided to head to the Hotel Saint-Dizier. After cocktails and dinner, it was an early bedtime.
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