Description

Biography: Lawrence Braun, Sculptor

In the early morning of the 1954 Mille Miglia, Hans Herrmann piloted the prototype Porsche 550-08 with Herbert Linge as navigator. As they rounded a blind right-hand curve at 90 miles per hour, Linge was absorbed in his route notes, so Herrmann was shocked to see a railway–crossing gate dropping directly across his path. The race steward, who should have flagged them to a stop before the turn, stood at the crossing, equally shocked as the speeding silver car bore down on him. At that instant, he knew what the driver of the car could not see, a locomotive closing fast on the intersection.

With no time or space to brake, Herrmann pushed Linge's head down, ducked below the short windscreen, and accelerated blindly. The flagman jumped away, the crossing guard held the gate just above its cradle, and the little Porsche slipped through the crossing just ahead of the roaring train. Herrmann and Linge went on to win the 1500 cc sports-car class and finish sixth overall.

Limited edition of 21, casting No. 1/21.

Bronze and stainless-steel on walnut. 6x16x10 inches.

Offered from the estate of early Porsche collector Dr. William Jackson.