The APAL: lightweight rival of the Porsche 356!

As an addition to the stories on the participating Porsches and VW beetles, it is most interesting to mention the presence of 1 "APAL Sport" in the 1962 (Romedenne-Rebetez) and 2 APAL in the 1963 (Lejeune-Maris and Jeuris-Targe) edition of the Liège Sofia Liège rally.

Founded by glass fibre specialist, Edmond Pery, the Belgian manufacturer APAL (Application Polyester Armé de Liège) started producing cars in 1961. APAL's first model was a coupé inspired by the 1959 Porsche Carrera Abarth and built on a Volkswagen 'Beetle' chassis, 150 examples of which were produced between 1961 and 1965.

Most APAL Coupé used the VW powertrain. Thirty APAL however were equipped with original Porsche mechanicals - engine, gearbox, wheels, brakes - and other items such as the seats and dashboard instruments.

The Apal coupés enjoyed success in racing and rallying, and in the Liege Sofia Liege rally proved faster than the contemporary Porsches thanks to their much lower weight.

In the main picture, you see Remo Di Cocco , Liège based rally pilot in the 50-ies and sixties, in a nice APAL in a period 1964 rally picture.