One-off prototype by Dean Ing.
In terms of construction, Ing started with Porsche mechanicals, as they were suited for high-performance, as well as being simple and very durable. The Porsche running gear would also prove easy to tune to Ing’s final specifications, which included a lightweight fiberglass body. Somewhere along the line, the Porsche engine was swapped in favor of a Chevrolet Turbo-Air 6 (best known for its use in the Corvair). The engine seems to be of fairly standard specification, as opposed to the turbocharged or four-carb Corsa engines, and likely provided a small bump in performance and far more affordable maintenance.
The body is quite radical for the late 1950s, especially when you compare it the cars Detroit was building at the time. However, with a bit of digging, influences in Ing’s design become clear. Ing’s bodywork echoes two rare European exotics, first the Maserati 450S Costin Coupe by Zagato, and second, the Porsche-Glöckler 356 Coupe. Ing himself commented on the influence of the Glöckler Porsche, a sports car built special for the 1954 Mille Miglia. The air-cooled Porsche platform relation is clear, along with the unique high-visibility rear glass. The aerodynamic Maserati Costin Coupe adds the missing flair and impact on Ing’s slippery design.
