One-off sports racer on a tubular steel ladder frame built and raced by Emil Pupulidy in period on the East Coast. 1620cc flat air cooled four cyl. Porsche motor and running gear. Design inspiration was the Glockler Porsche Specials.
Key Specifications & Features…
Engine: Modified Porsche 356 racing engine with Carillo rods, Scat crank, titanium valves, and Solex 40 PII carburetors.
Transmission: 4-speed 356 gearbox with vented casing and close-ratio gears.
Weight: Only 1,200 pounds with all fluids.
Brakes: Four-wheel 356 drum brakes equipped with PF carbon linings.
Historical Background & Legacy… Pupulidy, a Long Island native who built P-47 fighter planes during WWII, originally began building the “Pup” after being inspired by Glockler Porsche prototypes. Though he put the project on the back burner for another racing project in 1954, he returned to the chassis in 1955 to create this streamlined, tube-framed racer.
Over the decades, the car survived being abandoned at Frick Motors, was meticulously restored to concours condition by Carriage and Motor Works in Kansas City, and has raced at prestigious vintage events like the Monterey Historics and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Emil Pupulidy was an east coast racer in the 50’s winning two SCCA F Production Championships in Carrera Speedsters, one which he sold to Bruce Jennings in 1958. That car became the famed “King Carrera.” Prior to that racing success, Pupulidy spent time in Europe and was inspired by the early Porsche Glocker Specials. He endeavored to build a streamliner prototype in his garage and the Pupulidy Special was the result.
The “Pupper” was raced in several east coast events in the mid to late 50’s and achieved a class GP win. The car ended up being left at Fricks Motor Shop for decades before being rescued and restored to original race condition by vintage racer John Muller.