A Porsche 356 with tracks and skis: when did someone come up with such an idea? The question is logical when there is no context, so let’s go with it. Behind this charity project is Renée Brinkerhoff (rally driver) and Valkyrie Racing (her team), who have chosen the aforementioned German model for a good cause: fighting against human trafficking. This is how they have transformed this 1956 Porsche 356 to achieve it.
This rear-engined four-seater model was the first mass-produced by those from Stuttgart. One of those units has traveled practically all over the world under the direction of Renée Brinkerhoff. An adventure driven by a particular battle: the one they have undertaken against human trafficking. So far they have raised more than 400,000 euros and anyone who has contributed at least $356 to the cause will see his name engraved on the Porsche 356 when this particular journey ends.
The ‘356 Project’
‘Project 356’ began four years ago, in 2017, and its goal is Antarctica: according to the roadmap they have designed, they will arrive there by the end of the year covering a last stretch of 356 miles (573 kilometers). The icing on the cake will come at Union Glacier: Renée will run on this famous ice track to try to sign a new speed record.
To achieve all this, the rally driver and her team have teamed up with Kieron Bradley, an engineer who worked at Lotus. Together they have carried out the specific preparation of the Porsche 356 to face the final stretch of this journey that will take them to the southernmost continent on Earth.
Tracks and skis for the Porsche 356
The mission was not easy: they had to get a car that is over 65 years old do not sink into ice. Finding the solution was easier than it seemed at first glance: they have replaced the front wheels with skis and the rear wheels with tracks. Yes, the Porsche 356 has increased in weight but, at the same time, they manage to reduce the pressure on the ground and, in addition, increase the buoyancy of the vehicle.
They have not been the only changes that have been applied to the Porsche 356. The vehicle with which Renée Brinkerhoff will culminate the ‘Project 356’ has been reinforced with a winch, a special window located in the back that serves as an emergency exit in case things get complicated, a roll cage and a survival kit located in the passenger compartment. Everything you need for an adventure and to answer the question with which we opened this article: now it is easier to understand why this 1956 Porsche 356 has tracks and skis.
Images: Valkyrie Racing