The descriptions of the Classic Cars in the Directory were partly generated or supplemented with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The content may occasionally not always be entirely accurate or factually correct despite careful checking.
The Porsche 718 RSK Spyder 1958 is an iconic sports car that embodies the quintessence of Porsche. It is a two-seater convertible with a totally open cockpit design and a sleekly designed, lightweight body. The car was designed with a focus on speed, performance, and handling, and was intended for use in racing.
The car features a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 142 horsepower, an impressive figure for a car of its time. The engine is a boxer design, which means that the cylinders are horizontally opposed, creating a lower center of gravity and better handling. The engine is equipped with twin Weber four-barrel carburetors and a four-speed manual transmission, which makes it responsive and quick.
The car's chassis is made of tubular steel and is extremely lightweight, as are the aluminum body panels. The suspension features double wishbone arms with coil springs in the front and swing axles with torsion bars in the rear, which provides excellent handling and a comfortable ride.
The car's aerodynamics have been optimized for speed, with a low profile and a streamlined design. The front and rear spoilers help improve downforce, which improves the car's handling and grip.
The brakes are hydraulic, with disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear. The steering is also hydraulic, with rack and pinion steering, which makes it very responsive.
The car has a top speed of around 140 miles per hour, which is very impressive for a car of its time. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 7 seconds, which is also impressive.
The Porsche 718 RSK Spyder 1958 is a true masterpiece of engineering, with a focus on speed, performance, and handling. It is a car that demands respect and admiration, and is a true testament to the skill and ingenuity of the designers and engineers who created it. It is a car that will always be remembered as an icon of the golden age of sports car racing.
Milestones
- First debuted at the 1957 Frankfurt Motor Show as the successor to the Porsche 550 Spyder - Named after the Rennsport Kraft (RSK) racing series it was designed for - Used a mid-mounted, four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts and dual carburetors - Topped out at 142 mph and could accelerate from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds - Won its first race at the 1958 12 Hours of Sebring, driven by Stirling Moss and Harry Schell - Took overall victory at the 1958 Targa Florio, driven by Umberto Maglioli - Won the 1958 European Hill Climb Championship, with driver Edgar Barth - Only 34 RSK Spyders were ever produced, making them highly collectible and sought-after today.Technical
- Engine: air-cooled flat-four, 1.5-liter - Horsepower: 142 hp @ 7,200 rpm - Torque: 113 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm - Top Speed: 149 mph - Transmission: 4-speed manual - Suspension: double-wishbone front, trailing-arm rear - Brakes: 4-wheel disc - Weight: 1,500 lbs (approx.) - Wheelbase: 85.4 inches - Length: 147.4 inches - Width: 60.6 inches - Height: 44.9 inches - Production: 1957-1961 - Racing results: 1958 12 Hours of Sebring overall winner, 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner.SUPERMIND TRIVIA