In case you haven't noticed, we're a little obsessed
with Group C racers, widely regarded as they are as some of the greatest sports
racing prototypes of all time. In this golden era of endurance racing, though,
few could hold a candle to the Porsche 962.
Fortunately with 91 of them produced – including 75
provided to privateer customer teams – they do come up for sale from time to
time, giving vintage racing enthusiasts a chance to acquire one of the most
dominant racers ever made. And that's just what we have here.
The replacement for the celebrated 956, the 962 was
originally designed to meet the IMSA's GTP regulations in North America, but
was later adapted to the similar Group C regulations back in Europe as well.
And good thing it was, because the 962 went on to win both the 24 Hours of Le
Mans and the World Sportscar Championship twice in a row, along with numerous
other championships – including complete domination of the All Japan Sports
Prototype Championship five years in a row.
The particular example you see here, in Wynn's motor
oil livery, was delivered with an upgraded FABCAR monocoque to Hotchkins Racing
midway through the 1986 IMSA season at Watkins Glen. Sadly the car suffered a
crash the next season and sat disassembled, waiting for repair and
reconstruction, until 1989. It took a podium finish at Daytona in 1991, after
which it was retired, only to resurface later as a vintage racer.
Fortunately it's enjoyed a better life as an
old-timer than it did when still young, and has even had its 3.2-liter
turbocharged flat-six upgraded with newer technology gleaned from the later 911
GT1 to the point that it's now producing over 750 horsepower, with Brembo disc
brakes and Penske Racing shocks at each corner to the point that it's now an
even stronger machine than it was new.
Like what you see? Drooling all over your keyboard?
It's listed for sale on JamesEdition for US$ 1.25 million, so you'd better call
your bank manager and start moving around those savings bonds your aunt gave
you.
