Porsche has long drawn on its own motorsport heritage to create tribute liveries for current production cars, and the 2024 992 Carrera S Cabriolet bearing race number 11 is among the most historically grounded of these projects. The livery replicates the colours carried by Hans Herrmann and Herbert Linge in the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana, a road race that helped establish the Porsche name in international competition. Spark Model has translated this real-world tribute car into a 1:18 scale model car for the collector market.
The 992 Carrera S Cabriolet
Launched in 2019, the 992-generation Carrera S Cabriolet is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six producing 450 PS — the same fundamental architecture as the coupé, in open-top form. The 992 platform represents the current expression of the 911 bloodline, and Porsche's decision to use the Cabriolet as the canvas for this particular tribute is deliberate: the 1952 original was itself a stripped, open sports car competing across the length of Mexico. The pairing of a modern convertible with a 70-year-old racing colour scheme gives the real car — and this model — a layered identity that a standard production finish cannot match.
Race Number 11: Hans Herrmann and La Carrera Panamericana 1952
Hans Herrmann (1928–2023) co-drove a Porsche 356 SL with Herbert Linge in the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana, finishing first in the 1,500 cc class and sixth overall. It was an early proof of the 356's durability on a punishing multi-day road race through Mexico. The 2024 tribute 992 reproduces the race number 11 and the colour palette of that entry as part of Porsche's heritage celebration programme. Herrmann went on to become one of the marque's most celebrated works drivers of the 1950s and 1960s, making this livery a direct reference to a formative chapter in Porsche competition history.
The 1:18 Scale Model by Spark Model
This 1:18 resin model is produced by Spark Model under a Porsche-commissioned release, identifiable by its WAP-prefix designation — a series reserved for officially sanctioned Spark models rather than standard market editions. That provenance distinguishes it from Spark's broader catalogue and aligns it directly with Porsche's own heritage communication. The model reproduces the open Cabriolet configuration with race number 11 and the full tribute livery. Each piece is supplied with a showcase, so presentation is handled from the moment you unbox it.
In the Display Cabinet
The included showcase makes this model self-contained for display, requiring no additional case. Within a Porsche collection, it sits naturally alongside other 1:18 992-generation models from Spark or Minichamps, while its heritage livery gives it a distinct visual identity among standard production finishes. Collectors focused on La Carrera Panamericana history or on Hans Herrmann's career will find it a logical anchor piece — a modern car that carries a specific racing story from 1952, bridging two very different eras of the same manufacturer's history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the historical significance of race number 11 on this model?
Race number 11 references Hans Herrmann and Herbert Linge's entry in the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana, where they drove a Porsche 356 SL to first place in the 1,500 cc class and sixth overall. The 2024 tribute car — and this model — reproduces that number and livery exactly.
Who is Hans Herrmann?
Hans Herrmann (1928–2023) was one of Porsche's most prominent works drivers of the 1950s and 1960s. His 1952 La Carrera Panamericana class victory with Porsche was among the earliest international results for the brand.
Is this an official Porsche and Spark Model release?
Yes. The model carries a WAP-prefix designation, which identifies it as a Porsche-commissioned release within Spark Model's range, rather than a standard aftermarket edition.
Does the model come with a display case?
Yes. A showcase (display case) is included with the model.
