N° 422 Von Frankenberg / Bendix on Porsche 356. Rallye Monte Carlo 1953. To prevent the competitors from taking the timekeepers by surprise and passing without being spotted the organisers decided to paint the front wings of the cars white with washable paint. This enabled the officials to identify them a long way off even if their rally plates were not easily visible because of dirt or their position on the car. (Louche p. 118)

At the starting gate for the 1953 Rallye Monte Carlo, Richard von Frankenberg and co-driver Bendix await their turn in a Porsche 356, bearing the number 422. Officials gather under a shelter marked "DEPART" while spectators line the mountain road. To prevent cars from passing timekeepers unspotted, organizers had the front wings painted with washable white paint. This enabled officials to identify competitors from a distance, even when rally plates became obscured by dirt during the race.

Keywords:

Racing, Rallye

Filename:

rallye1953_159c_254.jpg

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