TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (April 17, 2025) – The Hagerty Drivers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit today announced the release of its new documentary Porsche in America: The Type 540 Roadster. The 1952 Porsche America Roadster (Type 540), Chassis No. 12336 was the 34th vehicle to be inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register, the only federally recognized program to document and preserve the historical and cultural significance of the automobile in the U.S. The documentation of this car will be added to the Library of Congress archives.

The “America Roadster” No. 12336 is one of seventeen purpose-built, street-going, Porsches built specifically for U.S. racers, thanks to the impetus of importer Max Hoffman and famed racer and Porsche dealer, John von Neumann. Hoffman and von Neumann recognized the potential competition and sales success for a modified roadster in the burgeoning sports-car-crazed, post-war U.S., and convinced the upstart German automaker to build a more competitive model than their standard 356. The America roadster set the stage for the industry-shaping Speedster and leaderboard-topping Type 550.

Complementing the work to record the history of this important car owned by the Ingram family and restored by Road Scholars, the Hagerty Drivers Foundation has produced this documentary, chronicling the history of Type 540, its impact on automotive culture, and bringing the story to life. Featuring an in-depth look at the car and the early days of Porsche, the documentary explores how Hoffman, von Neumann and the U.S. market were instrumental in building Porsche’s legacy.

“Porsches have long captivated auto enthusiasts in the United States. In our work to preserve car culture for future generations, it was important we documented their legacy. The America Roadster, despite its lesser-known history, played a significant and influential role in shaping Porsche’s history and the evolution of sports cars in America.”

– Casey Maxon, Senior Manager of Heritage for the Hagerty Drivers Foundation

“Road Scholars and the Ingram Collection have curated some of the best examples that represent the engineering, historical and technical evolution of the brand. We are honored to have the story of one of those crown jewels captured in this film. Porsche’s legacy in U.S. car culture cannot be overstated – it is crucial that its history is recorded through efforts like these of the Hagerty Drivers Foundation for future generations.”

– Cam Ingram, CEO & Founder, Road Scholars and co-owner of No. 12336