Porsche record attempt on the motorway at Salzburg–Anif, 1958

In the Salzburg area, several record attempts were carried out during the 1950s and 1960s. They took place either on the “Moosstraße”, a long and straight country road, or on the little‑used section of the motorway between Walserberg and South Salzburg. At that time, this motorway ended in Anif.

In my archive I found original documents relating to a record attempt with a Porsche Spyder. The runs took place on 12 November 1958 on the motorway section between the German–Austrian border and Anif–Grödig (the Salzburg‑South exit). This stretch of motorway was almost unused at the time and offered several kilometres of straight road, making it ideal for record attempts.

As far as I can determine, my father – in his role as Public Relations Manager at Porsche – always tried to organise special promotional activities. This record attempt was one of them.

The car was driven by Ernst Vogel, a well‑known Austrian racing driver of the period. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to determine whether the times achieved were officially recognised as records.

Nevertheless, it is fascinating to find such original documents:

1 km with standing start:
One way: 26.40 seconds = 136.364 km/h
Return: 25.62 seconds = 140.516 km/h
Average: 26.01 seconds = 138.409 km/h

1 km with flying start:
One way: 16.90 seconds = 213.018 km/h
Return: 16.11 seconds = 223.464 km/h
Average: 16.50 seconds = 218.182 km/h

For the technically interested:
The timekeeper’s log also notes the exact equipment used for the measurement: “Timekeeping was carried out with the fully automatic Longines Chronotypogines measuring instrument, type A 17, No. 411, quartz No. 236771, certified by the FIA and FIM, using infrared light barriers and manual backup timing. The Chronotypogines records to an accuracy of 1/100 second. According to the certification of the Neuchâtel Observatory No. 110 of 1 July 1957, the daily deviation was only 7/1000 seconds.”