Racers' Cars

From reading some of the assorted histories + details of cars discussed on our site, it seems that there were more than a few Street cars that were owned by Race Car Drivers. Makes sense --- Porsches are sports cars, after all. But more than that --- it seems to have been Porsche's practice to provide their cars to their drivers --- either as a perk or . . . as partial compensation for their services. And so --- given the number of drivers who raced for Porsche . . . it seems like there should be a similar number of their cars Out There

So. This is a thread to list the cars that are/were owned by those Racers --- either originally or subsequently . . . that've showed-up. Kinda like the Family Cars thread . . .
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ht=family+cars

. . . just a different kinda 'family'

These are all cars that were regular/civilian-issue/street vehicles First --- though they may've been used in races, rallyes, etc. at some point later on . . .

'67 911S

VIN = 308139S
Eng# 961814
Trans# = ?

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ghlight=jochen

@Longranger, great idea, thank you and WOW, mille grazie to be the first :-)

Woud be interesting (when possible) to post Pictures from period and now.

Here are some original photos:

Attachment 272093Attachment 272094Attachment 272095

'71 911S

VIN = 9111301180
Eng# = 6311580 changed to 6329003 built 28 April 1971
Trans# = ?
Prod# = 1013661

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...-to-Jo-Siffert
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...siffert%2C+911

'71 911S

VIN = 9111301184
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?

This car has only been reported to exist -- see post# 29 + 30 . . .
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...edro+rodriguez

'. . . The vehicle with chassis #9111301184 was handed over to Pedro Rodriguez, at the time a team mate of Siffert . . .'
http://www.autotechnikauktion.de/mg/...ktion=0&lang=2



Also --- looks like it might be green . . .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RSTarga

. . . Pedro used an old Bentley as his personal car in London.
All of the cars he was given as partial payment for driving were imported into Mexico under a personal dispensation from the mexican President, (imported cars were prohibited from about 1962 until recently).
He sold these at a huge premium, usually above 100%. The last car I saw was a metallic bottle green coupe . . .

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 67er911S

. . . great idea, thank you and WOW, mille grazie to be the first :-) . . .

---

You are most welcome! . . .

. . . because it's your posts --- for Mr Rindt's car . . . that provided the inspiration



I hope that more of these cars/threads show up + and get listed here

Porsche 928 CS Prototype, ex Hans Joachim Stuck

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ighlight=stuck

Porsche built 4 similar Porsche 928 S4 Clubsport pre-series prototype for the works drivers Stuck, Bell, Mass and Wollek.

The car was in Le Mans 1988 when Stuck and Bell drove the 962C on 2. place.

Stuck used the car as his privat car for many years.

The Bell car is in Belgium and in fantastic condition also.

The 928 was 120 kg lighter and has many different parts to the stock Version. Also many "Entfallteile".

Attachment 272103Attachment 272104

Attachment 272105

'68 911S Targa

VIN = 11850164
Eng# = 4080563
Trans# = 4280559

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...FCrgen-Neuhaus

'70 911S

VIN = 9110301059
Eng# = 6301439
Trans# = 7107346
Prod# = 1002454

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...Ten+Fifty-nine

Ickx, Mass, Bell and Bellof (his one is destroyed) had all thes Rothmans 928 cars.

Attachment 272111

Discussed also here: http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ighlight=stuck

Dario's 73E 3.7 (I think)
Attachment 272116

'69 911E

VIN = 119200001
Eng# = 6290001
Trans# = ?

http://bringatrailer.com/2012/09/06/...-porsche-911e/
http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/vie...ilit=119200001

'67 911S

VIN = ?
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?

See post #349+ . . .
http://test.early911sregistry.org/fo....please/page35

More please...

I've got another of Dario's 73

Attachment 272688

Real boring

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mike curnow

Real boring

---

Geez, your comments are real boring. Do you ever have anything constructive or positive to say? Why not keep it to yourself?

James Hunt's RS

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...-for-sale.html

good, thanks!

James Hunt's Porsche for sale

F1 champion James Hunt's ultra-rare and desirable right-hand drive Porsche 911 3-litre Carrera RS could be yours for £365,000.

Attachment 272825

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 67er911S

. . . good, thanks!

James Hunt's Porsche for sale

F1 champion James Hunt's ultra-rare and desirable right-hand drive Porsche 911 3-litre Carrera RS could be yours for £365,000 . . .

---

VIN = 9114600099
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?

From the Telegraph article . . .

. . . A rare 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS driven by F1 world champion James Hunt is for sale.

With a price of £365,000, it is one of only six right-hand-drive examples ever made.

The yellow Porsche was sold new to the founder of Hesketh Racing, Lord Hesketh, and became part of Hunt's remuneration package when he drove for the team in 1974.

Hunt retained use of the car through to 1976, the year he took the F1 World Championship at the wheel of a McLaren.

Claimed to be "outstanding" and in "highly original" condition, the 3.0-litre Porsche, chassis number 99, was built as part of the car firm's homologation process for its racing programme.

"This car is an important piece of motoring history," said Nick Whale, of Warwickshire-based Nick Whale Sports Cars Direct, which is selling the Porsche.

"Hunt was an enigmatic champion and this car was with him during the peak of his career. Not only is this one of the rarest road-going Porsches of all time, but with its unique provenance it represents a very rare opportunity."

Whale says that the car, which has formed part of a private collection for the past decade, is completely original.

Hunt – known as Hunt the Shunt following a number of spectacular on-track crashes – became as well known for his colourful champagne lifestyle as for his driving. Widely described as a playboy and forever appearing with a string of beautiful women, he retired from racing in 1979.

Hunt later became a much-loved BBC TV race commentator, alongside the inimitable Murray Walker. He was also known for breeding budgerigars and parrots and was a familiar sight in London, sometimes behind the wheel of his Austin A35 van, or on an old-fashioned bicycle complete with wicker basket attached to the handlebars.

Hunt died in 1993 of a heart attack, at his home in Wimbledon, aged 45.

The car has been thoroughly serviced and is now offered for sale at £365,000 from www.nickwhale.com . . .

VIN = 9113301276
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?

http://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?...=CA0812-134307

VIN = 9112300011
Eng# = 6320021
Trans# = ?

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ght=9112300011
http://atspeedmotors.com/1972-porsche-911s-prototype

1969 911S Targa (LHD)
Color: Signal Yellow
VIN: Unknown, will update post if I find it.

Attachment 309477

Attachment 309478

More info about the car here: http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...in-Japan/page5

VIN = 500100
Eng# = 900054
Trans# = (no record)

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ghlight=500100

Attachment 344780

Ex Formula One racer John Watson owns one of the very few RHD first 500 series RS. He told me the tale of how he got it as part of his contract payment for his first seasons' drive in Formula One for Hexagon of Highgate. They were Porsche dealers in London well as F1 entrants. Still going in car sales business but no longer in Formula One. Being 40 + years, probably one of the longest continuous ownerships of this 911 model by any owner, let alone by a racer.


We agreed to go for a drive around the Oxford lanes in our sister cars along with my work colleague who owns an ex Brumos 73 RSR. I'll have my work cut out to keep up given Watties talent and the RSR that was upgraded to 3.0 RSR engine in period.

Regarding James Hunt, he was one of the local celebrities in SW London. He used to ride his old wicker basket bicycle past every day in a very slow laid back languid fashion typically in jeans, tee shirt and flip flops, exercising his large Alsatian dog on a lead from handlebars To the nearby parkland. Unfortunately this was before I got involved Formula One, so I can't say a knew him.

Attachment 344743

Current London resident Boris Becker (obviously the tennis star - not racer) reportedly tried to spent some of his Tennis Championship winnings on a new 959 but according to the story being a teenage winner was deemed too inexperienced driver by his Mum (and Porsche?) - he seems to have various new Mercedes in his driveway of his home these days. A PR opportunity missed for the Marque perhaps.

Jo Bonnier

911T Targa -71

Attachment 344772

QUOTE
NOTE! First owner Joakim Bonnier!(Famous Swedish formula 1 driver.) Very well maintained and in excellent original condition. Body mechanics in the absolute best condition. To the car follows all documentation, and it has guaranteed Km. Equipment: Rds stereo, Targa roof, Fuchs, 5 speed.
UNQUOTE

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C443760

Attachment 591485John Fitzpatrick was "given" an RS Touring by the factory for his success in the European GT Championship in 1972 but sold it.

We spoke at Goodwood Festival of Speed last year and he commented that with benefit of hindsight and current market values he should have kept it.

Presumably he was referring to M472 - RHD Chassis # 911 360 1486, one of 98 RHD cars built to M472-Touring specification shown in this link to Dealer Maxstead Page's site.

http://www.maxted-page.com/resourcel...8447443d00.pdf

This car was reportedly delivered to him on Spain but was bolt to RHD English c16 spec touring m472. Not sure how long John kept the car but he won the Championship again in 1974 so he may have still had it at that time of the second win.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 67er911S

good, thanks!

James Hunt's Porsche for sale

F1 champion James Hunt's ultra-rare and desirable right-hand drive Porsche 911 3-litre Carrera RS could be yours for £365,000.

Attachment 272825

---

James Hunt (directly or possibly via the Hesketh team) owned or had road use of a white RHD MY 73 RS. I have a video of him driving such a car in period somewhere in my car history files. While I have not viewed that video of late, I noted the car was similar to my RHD 1972 MY 73 model RS - not a later 74 model RS. Think it had Hesketh Team livery. My recollection seems to be borne out by a story in this link to a book excerpt:

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...unt+carrera+rs

Yet another F1 racer "owning" one of the very few (estimated just 42 English market touring examples) first 500 series 1972 Carrera RS that were made with right hand drive

Hunt categorically did nkt own the yellow 3.0RS according to Lord Heaketh no less! He may have had use of the MY 74 RS (the replacement for the white 73 RS bought by Hesketh bit given to Hint as part of payment to drive) but wasn't there some debate about whether Hunt actually even used this later car around the time of its sale / the newspaper article? Don't remember the conclusion of that debate, since I don't follow post 73 cars too closely.

would you mind posting the video ?

Yes if I can locate and convert it. I don't have it digitally. It was not exciting segment. IIRC, it was just Hunt the gravel driveway of the Hesketh family stately home as part of the Hesketh racing story ... Not Hunt giving an RS "the beans"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 911MRP

James Hunt (directly or possibly via the Hesketh team) owned or had road use of a white RHD MY 73 RS. I have a video of him driving such a car in period somewhere in my car history files. While I have not viewed that video of late, I noted the car was similar to my RHD 1972 MY 73 model RS - not a later 74 model RS. Think it had Hesketh Team livery. My recollection seems to be borne out by a story in this link to a book excerpt:

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...unt+carrera+rs

Yet another F1 racer "owning" one of the very few (estimated just 25 examples) first 500 series 1972 Carrera RS that were made with right hand drive

...

---

I think you are referring to this car:

Attachment 344800

You Guys blow me away . . .

Yes, thank you beh911, I should have noticed / mentioned that the photo of the car I recalled James Hunt driving was already in the web link I sent but a subsequent page - but somehow I missed it.

Hunt was a real character with an eclectic taste in road cars beyond the occasional Porsche Carrera RS, (such as the Mercedes SEL that spent time up on bricks and most famously an Austin A35 van) as can be seen in this period photo of the Wimbledon house (I should point out it is not typical to see cars up on bricks in that neighbourhood.)

Attachment 344805

P.S. LongRanger, take a look in rear window of the Carrera, although indistinct might that be similar to your period shelf mount speaker stereo pair ; )

While not an early 911, Derek Bell when driving for the Porsche factory in 1980 got a 924 Carrera GTS as his road car. This model is a 245hp roadgoing version of the car that he drove Porsche in the 1980 Le Mans 24. The GTS was developed from the 210hp Carrera GT of which approximately 400 or so were built to satisfy homologation rules for Group 4 racing. Only 59 GTS were produced, with Derek Bell's having distinctive pearlescent-finish wheels.

It is reported that he declined the clubsport version of the car that came with buckets and cage preferring a little more comfort for roaduse. Rather like the vast majority of purchasers who preferred Touring over Sport in their Carrera RS 7 years prior.

Attachment 344812

As far as I know he still owns the car and thinks very highly of it. Pretty sure I saw it among the paddock showcase to mark 40th anniversary of Derek Bell's first Le Mans win at this years' Goodwood Festival of Speed. He is regular at this event being a local resident. A charming man and as many will know has a wonderful track record of winning the Le Mans 24 hours five times, the Daytona 24 three times and the World Sportscar Championship twice. He also raced in Formula One for the Ferrari, Wheatcroft, McLaren, Surtees and Tecno teams.

Attachment 344811

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by beh911

I think you are referring to this car:

---

That car is 911 360 0498 and has been (at least in 2010) owned by the Taylor family in the UK since the early 1980's

here is an article dated 1983 about it and apparently it has James Hunt's signature on the glovebox

Now I want one of those Hesketh Racing sticker for my tail. That's just totally silly but I like it.

Richard Newton
Historic Racing Images

Current British Formula One driver Jenson Button owned a Porsche 911 Carrera RS (number 1280). Quite a high specification M472 Touring with the expensive options such as sunroof and LSD ... (IIRC). Reportedly it had low miles ~ 25,000. Not exactly a story of a pre-74 911 being provided by Porsche in period as part of a factory driver contract. That was not really feasible as Jenson was only born in 1980.

Maybe after winning the 2009 F1 Drivers' World Championship with Brawn he had the cash to just go and buy one of the best for himself. Believe this is a picture of it.

Presumably the decals and red wheels on a black car were added at some point-- according to my recollection of my factory paperwork only cars in GP White which was the special colour for MY 73 RS model only, had option of such Red (Blue/Green) adornment?

Attachment 345580

Attachment 345584

Current Chairman of Mercedes F1 and three times Formula One Drivers' World Championship winner, (in 1975, 1977, 1984) Niki Lauda had a 930 around 1978.

Also triple Formula One Champion driver Ayron Senna was pictured in various road 911s for example this LHD silver cabriolet ....
Attachment 345593

....is it same one as in the eponymous film (or is it a lighter shade of silver) ...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig_W6AKhFxM

...and a blue RHD 911 coupe with sunroof that is dates from the summer of 1992, apparently.

Attachment 345600

While I'm not sure if he owned a road Porsche himself, 1996 F1 Drivers' World Champion Damon Hill has certainly driven a road going 911 Turbo belonging to my friend (he also drove me around a British racetrack in a Formula 1 car specially designed to be a two seater for 2 x 5 lap stints .....quite a special experience since he was by then a World Champion just like his father before him...but that is a whole different story!)

VIN = 9110301339
Eng# = 6301846
Trans# = ?

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...k-Vics%94-911S

. . . the 1st driver to win a race w/ a 911 --- er . . . 901

Also . . . the lowest VIN yet known

VIN = 300005
Eng# = 900116
Trans# = 100006

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ghlight=300005
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...test-on-300005

This magazine clipping is from a UK motoring weekly in mid October 1972, around a week after the RS was launched is referring the British market /RHD quota of just RS 51 from the first 500 series that were already sold (notably ALL termed here "lightweight Carrera RS Coupes" regardless of conversion order RS, RSL or RSH).

Interesting the 1972 period language here is different from the current -misleading - use of the term "lightweight" that today is routinely used to refer to only M471. Folks in 1972 had not yet slipped into sloppy misuse because back then ALL these RS cars -- 500 of them were "lightweight Coupes" regardless of the conversion orders. The "Heavy(er)weights" of the final production series that were for the most part the practical consequence of the inventory of thinner guage panels running out and production approach shifting more in line with the regular series way of doing things, were evidently not even on the radar in back then in mid October 1972. Strange how terminology and associated meaning gets changed over time and distinctions once very important / clear get lost and so very often go unchallenged?

Attachment 355567

James Hunts car mentioned previously was one of this small quota - he had it from 1973 until at least 1977 - maybe later as it returned to the UK around 1980. Additional photos of James Hunt with this particular 1972 RHD UK registered Carrera RS M472 are shown below

May be of interest to note the colour change from Lilac (6969) to White with a Porsche side graphic was made sometime before this photograph in 1977; also compare it to picture in #31 of car with same registration plate but painted White with the rear lid sporting the Hesketh Team decal. Hunt left Hesketh for McLaren end of 1975 so presumably the car was changed from Lilac to White and the team name applied soon after he acquired it - a conclusion on basis of RS appearance in the photo of post #31. Unlikely as Mc Laren driver he'd want or be allowed to sport a Hesketh logo as they soldiered on for a while n F1 after Hunt left.


Attachment 355515

Attachment 355516

For those not familiar with the U.K., the newspaper photographed above is a nationwide Sunday broadsheet (possibly the market leader?) - not the specialist motoring press. The fact a publication such as the Sunday Times was taking an interest in establishing the true provenance of Hunt's personal RS road-car car in 2010 is unusual even if they have a motoring section. Story became prominent when a 74 3.0 RS was claimed to be the actual Hunt road car but evidence was brought that his was actually a RHD touring from the first 500 series. It just made it into that first batch the chassis being numbered in the very high 400s! Hesketh may have replaced the car that became Hunt's with the following year's RS 3.0 model leading to some confusion later and the dealers claim ... if I understand it correctly.

The rumour was that the fast living and wilful Hunt appropriated the RS from his employer Lord Hesketh (car's purchaser and owner of the fun loving Hesketh Racing team) after a European race (Monaco IIRC) in June 1973 and simply never returned it ...but in reality it was most likley the RS formed part of Hunt's driver-renumeration package.

That fact considered together with John Watson's similar deal, (also taking part-payment for his driving-services in the form of an RS M472 via the contract that he cut with the Goldie Hexagon F1 Racing Team owner Paul Michaels whereby cars cost was deducted from pay he once told me), means that two of only 51 of these first RHD RS allotted to the British /RHD markets formed part-payment for several Formula 1 drivers appearing in the World Championships around 1973-4. Memorabilia from the 1973 British Grand Prix. Wonder if any of the other drivers racing in that era had the then top-of-the range Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring as their road-car?

While not exactly Porsche factory drivers with road cars, further photos and details seemed relevant to the theme of this thread.

Attachment 355569

This nice RSR photo advert from Martini appears in the Silverstone GP programme...

Attachment 355570

More about John Watson and his long term owned 1972 first 500 series RHD Carrera RS can be found at this link to another forum...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=992631

Attachment 355877

John Sprinzel, the British successful international Rally Driver and winner of the British Rally Championship in 1959 with co-driver Stuart Turner ( of BMC/Ford Competitions Department fame), may not be known quite as well to some as Formula One drivers Hunt and Watson ....but he ran a RHD 1973 Model Year Carrera RS Touring sunroof model in 1973 that featured prominently in Pirelli UK advertising for the low-profile Pirelli Cinturato tyre range around that period. This being a photograph from a British motoring weekly dated 1973.

Attachment 355879

Sprinzel's business interests included a Porsche dealer / service agent that appeared in adverts such as the one below from late 73. This Denham dealership in Buckinghamshire covered an affluent area within commuting distance to London; it is included in the maroon VW-Porsche official Service Stations booklets that came with the model year 73 cars.

Attachment 355880

Further to LongRanger's post #31.

Driving tip to help me hone my double-declutch gear-change technique from the master, Vic Elford, in a handwritten note from back sometime in the mid-nineties...I was travelling a lot to the USA back then.

Can't think of a better more versatile driver of the Porsche-marque to learn from than London-born Quick Vic

Attachment 355883

John Watson has the lowest chassis number black RHD RS, mine is 3rd of the 10. When I met Derek Bell at Watkins Glen some years back he recalled his neighbor JW having his RS....

In reference to a lilac James Hunt RS. Did he have more than one?
I was at Paul Ricard in 73 for the Touring car championship race, and James had a white RS at the time. Did he later paint it Lilac and then back? Or was that another car?

Hi David,

as far as I can make out the car was Lilac when new -- that information is based on the RS books and Starkey. The shot with Hunt dressed in his Hesketh racesuit while inspecting engine is black and white can't be certain of car colour but certainly it is not white and the general appearance including stickers on shut panel does not suggest a respray.

Most likley chronology of this car, which has the same UK registration plate in pictures spanning colour change was that Lord Hesketh managed somehow to get one of the 51 original 500 RS in Lilac before the UK limited quota sold out - presumably no one would have known further series were coming when orders were needed to be placed. Maybe given the small numbers available and the fast sales gave little opportunity to influence the colour or decided afterwards by him or Hunt to change it? The RS Book says factory were understanderbly not keen on subsequent changes to existing RS orders during production having to deal already with the complexity and cost of homologation process with conversion orders and so forth.

With the Hesketh Racing team colours being predominantly white it seems likely that it would have been just repainted from Lilac to White / liveried with team name on rear thereafter. Even back then guess they would have wanted car to be part of the "team image".

As far as I know the car was white when returned/bought in UK in 80s and was also white in later club racing exploits here in UK e.g. Hugh's post #35. The car is in private family ownership in UK so presumably the current long term owners know more. I can't be certain and happy to be corrected.

Lord Hesketh reportedly bought a yellow 3.0 RS from 1974 series to replace the car Hunt acquired as shown in photo I found on internet

Attachment 355901



Unfortunately the film of Hunt arriving in the white RS at Easton Neston Hesketh home and team HQ that I mentioned earlier, I've been unable so far to find it or put it on a format I can post here.

Steve

There is a glimpse of the distinctive front spoiler of a yellow coloured/no side decal 73 model RS in a service road between barriers. This picture is at Monaco GP on 26 May 74. (Front spoiler of the car here is not the steel style as required in France for RS ...also see parked position of wipers and the person seated RHS with that side's open door?)
Attachment 355910

Porsche 911 certainly played an official role in the event another car is shown below, in background of the shot (car can only be seen very indistintly though the dirt and heat haze) but certainly it is on the race-track chasing the pack shortly after the start.

Attachment 355915

And an early 911 supported other GP races for example the GP held at Nurburgring on August 4th 1974 with the orange (presumably the day-glo ONS car), again trailing the pack at start. Seen flashing past as Fittipaldi struggles to get away cleanly at start -- car has a 73 S style front spoiler in combination with what appears, (pictured here in the blurred image), to be larger flatter rear spoiler, not a ducktail.

Attachment 356559

Porsche 911s had supported several races in the season around that time, most noticeably the orange car.

The 914 was in effect (albeit unofficially) the first ever F1 pace car appearing in Canadian race of that year ....but its role was far from glorious given its part in the wider-confusion that the Canadian race officials allowed to occur by not keeping track of the race positions :(

Adding this to your nice archive Rick:

Jackie Oliver's 1971 911S RHD, thread here: http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...Oliver-VERSUCH

German plates in period: LEO-ZA 24

Found her being offered for sale here, ad copy is on the other thread. http://www.ecuriebowden.com.au/1971-911-22s

Borrowed the pics from the ad:

Attachment 409927
Attachment 409928
Attachment 409929
Attachment 409930

VIN = ?
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?

UK reg = XUB 759H


'. . . What cars do retired racing drivers own?
AT THE height of his motor racing career in the 1970s and 1980s Tony Dron won the Porsche 924 championship and regularly raced a Porsche in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Over the years he clocked up wins in 44 different models, including nine types of Porsche.

Search the used Porsche 911s for sale at driving.co.uk
Not all racing drivers earn at the speed of Lewis Hamilton, however, so it was 1983 before Dron could finally splash out on a Porsche 911 of his own. A new model was too pricy, so he opted for a top-of-the-range 1970 2.2S, the last of the first generation of 911s, with the original engine, transmission and design, in distinctive blood orange.
“It was a very 1970s colour,” says Dron. “At least it wasn’t lime green or purple. It was great to drive. The official top speed was 144mph but I believe I once got it up to 148mph on a downhill stretch of autobahn.

“And whatever anyone says about the handling, 911s are absolutely fantastic if you drive them properly. The idea of spinning a 911 is . . . well, I’ve driven probably 700 or 800 in my time and I’ve yet to spin one of them by mistake

Dron paid £4,000 for the car in 1983 and spent £4,500 doing it up. He sold it for £8,500 in 1986. Now his old Porsche is back on sale via Autofarm (autofarm.co.uk), a Porsche dealer and restorer in Oxfordshire. Dron was reunited with the car briefly last week before it moves on again — now worth in excess of £200,000.

“I can’t regret the money, because it just wasn’t practical to hold on to it at the time,” he says. “Seeing it 30 years on was great. It looks as good as ever.”

Memories came flooding back, particularly one hair-raising trip to St Moritz in 1985 to celebrate 100 years of the Cresta Run, the Swiss toboggan track. “We drove there from London in rather less time than we should have,” recalls Dron. “Then there were races on the frozen lake, which was actually mushy. There were Bugattis, Bentleys, Morgans, lots of Porsches. We won one of the heats but had to pull out after the throttle jammed because the engine was completely clogged up with snow. It took three hours to thaw out” . . .'


https://www.driving.co.uk/news/me-an...sche-911-2-2s/


Anyone know the whereabouts of this?




............

Ooooo, check out that March 75B. Nice.

I own and am restoring Peter Gregg's personal car... not a peter gregg built Brumos car... but his personal car with all documents to new. 71 S in Gold Metallic. Tate

Make sure you have some paperwork signed by the person in question. People such as Al Holbert, Peter Greg and Derrick Bell seldom owned Porsches. They were given loaners or drove whatever was on the lot at the time.

Value is all about provenance and provenance is all about paperwork work.

Also be careful with restorations. A restoration will too often lower the value of the car. Current thinking is that collectible car is an historic document. Altering an historic document compromises the value of the document.

Richard Newton
Restoration is Destruction

What my good friend Davey Jordan drives today....

He redid this very cool 912 himself up at him and Norma's retirement home in Running Springs.......

I was behind him on the 'Rim of the World' HYW awhile back and his smooth line was just beautiful to watch ... :)


... Oh, just some of the cars Davey used to drive......... ;)

Founder of Taco Mini Bikes, Motorcycle Racer and Member of the 1964 and 1965 USA Team competing in the International Six Day Trials, buddy of Steve McQueen. Unfortunately there is no pic showing John with the Porsche, so the Kardex must do...

Attachment 420456Attachment 420457Attachment 420458

VIN = 119300950
Eng# = 6391347
Trans# = 71954444

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...Kurt-Ahrens-jr



.......

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 911MRP

Current Chairman of Mercedes F1 and three times Formula One Drivers' World Championship winner, (in 1975, 1977, 1984) Niki Lauda had a 930 around 1978.

---

He raced 911S in the early '70s and had at least one 911S as his driver... according to his autobiography...

VIN = 9112200772
Eng# = 6221199
Trans# = ?
Prod# = ?

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...embly-Required




................

VIN = 9113601177
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?
Prod# = ?

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...?85961-Rs-1177




..............

VIN = ?
Eng# = ?
Trans# =?
Prod# = ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LongRanger

. . . in the Aug '18 edition of Porsche Panorama --- p36 . . .

' After signing a contract with Porsche for 1969, I went to Stuttgart in January and collected a new 911S in the highest specification. The ten factory drivers could each order a car, drive it for a year, and then at the end of the year either give it back or buy it at a special price --- in my case , 2,000 pounds sterling. After collecting the beautiful silver 911S with a blue interior, I drove it home . . .

---

......

Interesting comment . . .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LongRanger

. . . factory drivers could each order a car, drive it for a year, and then at the end of the year either give it back or buy it at a special price . . .

---

If Faktory drivers could order cars, then there should've been quite a few of these vehicles out + about. Don't know what the survival rate for these is --- but another great reason to research any car's history. Back Then, these were 'just cars', so . . . and just look where they turn up!


Anyway, I find these sorts of cars --- professional Racer's personal cars . . . much more interesting than their race cars

To me, race cars are tools for a purpose --- highly-specialized machines driven to their limits + beyond. They don't really belong to anyone specifically, more the property of organizations --- companies/groups/partnerships . . . specifically put together to race for money. Race cars work week-ends, live in garages, in the custody of mechanics, and, when they're competitive, only come out to work. Race cars are business. And when they've served their purpose? --- are no longer competitive, or too damaged, or replaced by something faster . . .

. . . then they're discarded --- by those same companies/groups/partnerships. And the only trace of the Racer? . . . maybe their name painted somewhere

Or maybe not



Anyway, I'm fascinated by these Racers own cars --- not their 'company' cars, the ones they left behind at the track . . .


. . . but their 'personal' cars . . .



. . . the ones they took home




...

. . .

VIN = 9112300820
Eng# = 6321265?
Trans# = (7)325663?
Prod# = ?


http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...l=1#post987490
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...R-John-Paul-Sr


'. . . former IMSA GT champion and the namesake of one of auto racing's finer talents is also one of the most notorious criminals on this or any list . . .'

'Unseen' since 2001 --- more, here . . .
https://autoweek.com/article/other-m...-run-afoul-law



............................

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LongRanger

. . .

VIN = 9112300820
Eng# = ?
Trans# = ?
Prod# = ?


http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...l=1#post987490
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...R-John-Paul-Sr


'. . . former IMSA GT champion and the namesake of one of auto racing's finer talents is also one of the most notorious criminals on this or any list . . .'

'Unseen' since 2001 --- more, here . . .
https://autoweek.com/article/other-m...-run-afoul-law



............................

---

Engine number according to COA is 6321265
Trans number is 325663

Both are missing from the car.

. . . yeah-yeah-yeah --- 356 --- but? . . .

. . . one-of-ONE (I think)

'. . . This 1600 Carrera GS-GT Roadster was being displayed by The Rawson Collection from St. Petersburg Florida at this years Amelia Island Concours. It is chassis #88077 and engine #95070 and is a special car manufactured by Porsche for family friend and racing driver Victor Rolff. According to the factory records and Cardex #88077 is the only 356B-T5 1600 four-cam Carrera Roadster ever built by the factory.

It has many special features including Speedster seats, a factory roll bar, Sebring exhaust system, headlight stone guards, leather hold-downs on the hood and a 80 liter racing fuel tank.

#88077 was restored to its original state in the period between 1996 and 2000 in Germany. The current owner has consulted with various factory personnel and factory records to confirm the the cars authenticity. This car is truly a one-off and the only one of its kind . . .'

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...=1#post1073476
https://porschebahn.wordpress.com/20...s-gt-roadster/



Thanks, Don!



..

Peter and Simon Gregg with his personal 1971 911 S Gold Metallic. 7R wheels and long studs
Attachment 534064

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dmill

. . . I understand from an old factory driver that Porsche gave those guys (or sold at a very discounted price) a new car every season. Most of the drivers (including the one I know) sold their cars after owning it a short period of time....most needed the cash....So I guess there are factory driver cars all around...we just need to find them.....If Porsche had the paperwork for this car, gotta think they have the paperwork for the other cars they sold / gave to other factory drivers . . .

---

Who was this? --- which driiver? . . .

. . . + any more details? --- about the car, any arrangements w/ the Faktory, etc, etc?



.......................................

Jim Clark's 356

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-c...356-in-action/

VIN = 303040
Eng# = 903170
Trans# = 225446
Prod# = ?

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...l=1#post947589





..............................

Seen in the back ground at the January 1969 Porsche Racing Press Day

Attachment 564675

Attachment 564676

Attachment 564677

where is the mirror on that car? on the darker 911?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scott A

where is the mirror on that car?

---

Dash mounted, Common on European convertibles of that era

For the 911, perhaps Siffert was particular about the side mirror type or mounting location so it was left off by the factory.

Or did not want it as he was only concerned about what was in front of him and did not think he would have anyone coming up behind him...:) (and he did have the interior rear view mirror - maybe an exterior one was not mandated in Switzerland at that time)

There were six 911s in the background of the December 1969 press event to preview the 1970 racing season. I wonder if any of these cars belonged to the race car drivers in attendance. Only a partial tag of the first car was visible S-R 590X…, but it did have interesting through the grill lights.

Edit 14-Dec-2021: Drivers in attendance were Jo Siffert, Pedro Rodriguez, Brian Redman, Hans Herrmann, and Rudi Lins. Rico Steinemann and Ferry Porsche also attended.

Attachment 564713

Revs Institute digital collection

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HughH

Or did not want it as he was only concerned about what was in front of him and did not think he would have anyone coming up behind him...:)

---

Hugh, I agree with your view.
What intrigues me more is the black 911 (sitting next to the car Eric mentions) with a Right Hand side mirror, or looks like it to me.

Yet that car seems to be LHD

also no ext. mirrors on the rindt car

I must say,
My Oh My they look 'sharp' without mirrors.

A quote from Brian Redman worth repeating

[QUOTE=LongRanger;985675]. . . in the Aug '18 edition of Porsche Panorama --- p36 . . .

' After signing a contract with Porsche for 1969, I went to Stuttgart in January and collected a new 911S in the highest specification. The ten factory drivers could each order a car, drive it for a year, and then at the end of the year either give it back or buy it at a special price --- in my case , 2,000 pounds sterling. After collecting the beautiful silver 911S with a blue interior, I drove it home . . .



. . . In 1969, Porsche team drivers were expected to drive to all the European races, including the far-off Targa Florio . . .'

Attachment 564898

Attachment 564899
Source: Targapedia.com

Attachment 564906
Source: Motorsportsimages.com

Vic Elford’s 911S Sportomatic, license plate S-L 2734, was seen at the 1969 Targa Florio along with another 911 with license plate S-L 5661.

S-L 5661 had a Union Jack on the door, so presumably it was one of the other British team member’s ride. It looks to have been a 1968 car since it had operable vent windows and 68/69 door handles.

The Porsche factory drivers at the 1969 Targa Florio were Mitter, Schutz, Elford, Maglioli, Sommelen, Herrmann, Kauhsen, von Wendt, Lins, Larousse, Atwood and Redman.

Fantastic images --- love that trailer hitch . . . and on a Sporto, too

Interesting plates . . . 'S' prefix = 'Stuttgart' = Factory plates?



.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LongRanger

Fantastic images --- love that trailer hitch . . . and on a Sporto, too

Interesting plates . . . 'S' prefix = 'Stuttgart' = Factory plates?



.

---

I am assuming, based on the quote from Brian Redman, that the cars used by the 1969 factory drivers were on loan for the first year. During this period it is likely that they were insured and registered by the factory.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric Gratz

I am assuming, based on the quote from Brian Redman, that the cars used by the 1969 factory drivers were on loan for the first year. During this period it is likely that they were insured and registered by the factory.

---

I owned Kurt Ahrens 69 S, the factory gave him the car in 1970.
Attachment 564982

Fubawu, Great post and history, do you have some old photos?

33 Braunschweig, Broitzemer Strasse 236 (interesting they wrote the 2 digit post zone code in 1970)

Attachment 564991

Attachment 564992

Hi Scott

I beleive the car is mentioned in this post. Funny enough it was found in Ottawa Canada sitting behind a farm warehouse.
It was even listed for sale here a few years back

Quotes from:

https://www.tuthillporsche.com/lates...uts-on-podium/

“Chassis number 300575 was one of the first cars produced and was purchased new in Hamburg by Willi Kauhsen, a name familiar to Porsche fans.

Kauhsen was a Porsche works driver in period, winning the Marathon de le Route in a 911S before going on to drive 908s and 917s at Le Mans, including the famous Pink Pig 917 alongside Reinhold Joest in the 1971 Le Mans 24 Hours. He later raced in America, driving the 1000-horsepower 917/10, before going on to start his own race team, running the works Alfa Romeos and winning the 1975 World Sportscar Championship as a constructor.

Willi drove the 1965 911 for a few years before converting it to RSR specification for racing. Willi Goebbels bought it from Kauhsen and used it in IMSA racing, including at the 24 Hours of Daytona, at Sebring and also in South America. A chance conversation led to the car being purchased by another former works driver, Brian Redman. Brian had the car during the early 1990s and gave it to Kevin Jeanette at Gunnar Racing for a ground up rebuild before racing it for several years in a lightweight configuration.”

There were no period photos provided by Tuthill.

Did Richard Attwood drive a brown RHD 911? This image is from the super 8mm film shot by Paul Blancpain during the filming of Le Mans.

https://www.intensemans.fr/2021/07/3...steve-mcqueen/

Attachment 566877

He did … not sure if it was brown. Not able to say anything further other than it is surprising that more isn’t made of the talents of this helpful charming man from Wolverhampton / Staffordshire as a driver given he and Hermann took a Porsche to first Le Mans overall win in 917K in 1970 and he was close to that the previous year with fellow Brit Vic Elford before running into technical problems a just couple of hours before end.
Attachment 566893
Others might know more specifics about his 911 road car.

Steve

Was this Huschke von Hanstein personal car with license plate LB-HH 66? It is described as a 1972 911T.

The blue, mono-chromatic Fuchs and white lettering on the tires are unique.

Attachment 576095

Attachment 576097

Here is another "racers car" but a bit more special than that - 119300940

It is Rico Steinemann's factory car from April 1969 when he took over from Husche von Hanstein as the head of the race department just in time for the 917 program which delivered Porsche its first outright win at Le Mans in 1970. He was cross entered in two of the 917's that year but did not start.

Rico was also a factory driver before that participating in prototypes for the 1967 and 68 season in 906's, 907's, 910's and 911's as well as participating in the Monza record attempt in the 911R

It is also noteworthy that it was a special paint car (6861) painted in the old 356 and 1965 911 color of Signal Red

In searching the database here it was owned by one of the members in the early 2000's by which time it had been repainted in Irish Green. I understand that it is still around in the USA, and possibly for sale, (obviously not mine). While the kardex does not show any options (in line with most factory owned cars) it has a dead pedal, sunroof, rear wiper, sports seats etc.
Attachment 581324

There were a lot of factory owned cars built around that time: The three acropolis cars: 0912, 0931 and 0932, Kurt Ahearns' car 0950 and Michael Piech's car 0970 as a minimum

Pedro Rodriguez sitting in a 911 with an attractive companion. The date and location are unknown. The 911 has a three spoke steering wheel, electric windows and a sunroof.

Attachment 582998

Another Pedro Rodriguez sighting. This time conducting an interview in a red RHD 911S. Could that be Jackie Oliver’s signal orange 911S 9111301207 in the background?

Attachment 583687

https://newsroom.porsche.com/es/2021...C3%ADguez.html

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...Oliver-VERSUCH

Not a pre 74 but F1 racer picking up his 911. Motortune was a small dealer in London between Knightsbridge and South Kensington (not too far from Harrods and the famous museums). Top driving talents often moved to England to further their racing career aiming for the pinnacle racing formula:

Attachment 584229

Sadly he died in a crash not a racing car but a light plane crash.
https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/540677

He won his only F1 race at Interlagos near São Paolo in 1975, the circuit carries his name.


Steve

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric Gratz

Another Pedro Rodriguez sighting. This time conducting an interview in a red RHD 911S.

---

Was it Pedro's personal car? Does anyone have any story about the car?

This photo of Pedro Rodriguez has been shared before. It looks to be from a kid's television show with signs "Lili Ledy" and "Action 70" in the background. The 911 is a LHD 911S with sunroof and rear wiper. The Zoll plate is 428 Z-9722, which is pretty close to the plate 428 Z-9705 issued to Steve McQueen on 3 June 1970.

Attachment 584266

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...ght=428+Z-9705

Pedro personal car was a Bentley he used around London.
He took the Porsches and Ferraris he was given and sold them for a tidy profit in Mexico. Mexico at the time had a very restrictive import policy, but the Presidents gave him import permits so he could make extra income. High end cars could sell for 2 or three times the euro prices.

The Bentley was complemented by a deerstalker (like the one sported by Autocar’s technical editor John Bolster). Completing the image he lived in Bray a very pretty village on the River Thames with his English girlfriend Glenda; today that tiny village has two three-Michelin-starred restaurants. A handy, picturesque spot to live convenient England’s “motorsport valley”

Attachment 584306

Steve

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RSTarga

He took the Porsches and Ferraris he was given and sold them for a tidy profit in Mexico. Mexico at the time had a very restrictive import policy, but the Presidents gave him import permits

---

So, the Polo Red RHD 911S is in Mexico right now? Maybe I should go there to try and find it. ;):D

This picture of 917-006 was taken by Michel Guilloux at LeMans in June 1969. The car in the foreground looks to be a 1969 911S. If Signal Red, then this could be Steinemann’s car.

https://supercarnostalgia.com/blog/p...17-chassis-006

Attachment 587084

Attachment 587085

A couple of Southern California guys at the track. Maybe Riverside or Holtville in the early '60's ? Maybe a speedster ?Attachment 587335

Looking like a Speedster at Riverside. I knew the photographer, Keith Ewton.

John

I got these photos, recently from Keiths son, who was a classmate in San Diego. We debated if it was a Speedster or ? and Riverside or ?.
The background in this one show better detail making me think Riverside.
The goggles look similar to the photos in the recent thread regarding Steve's Malibu house. Clearly a different car in these shots.
Keith was quite a photographer as well as pillar / founder of the San Diego Porsche community.
Apparently, Keith and Vasek were friends.
Attachment 587374

If you look closely at the second pic, you can see a bit of a 356A steering wheel. There is also just a sliver of what appears to be a Speedster seat on the left side of the pic.
Additionally, the windshield is gone, which was common in those days and pretty easy to do with a Speedster.
I think you guys are correct.....it's a Speedster!
Jay

Here is a photo that I have had for years. Inspecting a racing magazine with air mail packet in front of a silver 911. Possibly LeMans ?? Please note Irish Green and Signal Orange 911’s in the background. His ever present deerstalker cap in pocket and not a hair out of place ……………. Attachment 587446

Stirling Moss with his Porsche 911 according to the Automobilia Landenburg. Looks like a SWB outfitted with a ski rack. License plate M-DU 372.

Attachment 590578

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric Gratz

This picture of 917-006 was taken by Michel Guilloux at LeMans in June 1969. The car in the foreground looks to be a 1969 911S. If Signal Red, then this could be Steinemann’s car.

https://supercarnostalgia.com/blog/p...17-chassis-006

Attachment 587084

Attachment 587085

---

Those flares! Very cool. And I always enjoy seeing the rare Signal Red cars too.

John Watson’s first series RHD RS Touring with sunroof a car that he has owned since 1974. Being an early black RS correctly it doesn’t have side decals as those were only allowed to be ordered as an option on those painted in the reserved for 73 RS model colour grand prix white at that time on the model cycle:

Attachment 591913

Don’t recognise the pub but could be Oxfordshire England?

Thread with more information about anther cars Wattie drove with Porsche albeit TAG branded engines

https://primotipo.com/2020/01/11/weissach-lap-record/



Acknowledgements to primotipo website and it’s contributors.

He once told me he wasn’t very keen on flying so he used to use the RS to get to race events in Europe … perhaps he drove his then circa ten year old RS to the the test at Weissach?

My old gilet is quite rare and apt:

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...et#post1134602

Steve

Nick Faure had one of the five RHD 3.0 RS for U.K. in ‘74
Attachment 592054
he also through importer he got use of two of just the roughly three handfuls of 73 M471 Sport

and and the first AFN M472 touring
Attachment 592055
as his race-cars in the British Prodsports championship the prior year which he won convincingly. Nick showing great control on a wet track:
Attachment 592053
Invited him to meet an F1 motorsport colleague of mine who owns an 73 RSR. I’ve known him since buying my RHD 73 RS in a deal he brokered over three decades-ago. Nick used to borrow the RS that is now mine when it was owned by his friend who was once the race team manager of WilliamsF1 and a well known engineered who prepared and team managed many races at Le Mans. A prodigious memory quaintly Nick still refers to my car by the the owner’s private registration plate it had back then in 80s.

Nick has deep long associations with the Porsche marque in U.K. and was the only person allowed to give customer demo drives in U.K. in the Turbo when launches in mid 70s; he has competed multiple times at Le Mans including an RSR sponsored by Harley Davidson that he painted himself in a garage in France just before the 24h race
Attachment 592056

Not sure how many of these he owned rather than was given use of but he certainly once owned the famous ex Elford 911 RHD rally ans race car GVB911D bought with the proceeds of selling a Rembrandt etching he found in his grandmother’s shed:
Attachment 592057
Lots of Porsche Rennsport discussion and tales from the UK’s “Mr Porsche” over a pleasant leisurely lunch at my club.
Steve

Good pictures Steve. Who was the F1 manager mentioned.?

Attachment 592075
Attachment 592077Just spent much of this morning chatting with owner of the Hexagon Goldie F1 team who employed John Watson. Told me his side of the tale that John Watson told me about how the black RHD 73 RS touring demonstrator was negotiated with Watson for his F1 driving services. He owned the F1 team and was Porsche official agent in U.K. around 73/4.

He posed for this photo that ties together my two recent posts

Both John Watson and Nick Faure were drivers in that small team and they appear together on the photo in background together that I took today — one of the cars was bought car from a certain Bernard Charles
Ecclestone.

The U.K. F1 and motorsport community is small

Attachment 592072

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldie_Hexagon_Racing


Steve

Very interesting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 911MRP

John Watson’s first series RHD RS Touring with sunroof a car that he has owned since 1974. Being an early black RS correctly it doesn’t have side decals as those were only allowed to be ordered as an option on those painted in the reserved for 73 RS model colour grand prix white at that time on the model cycle

---

There's a RHD black RS sunroof for sale right now (3rd series I believe): :eek:

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/...rrera-2-7-rs-4

Nick Faure driving another of his cars — not a Porsche
Attachment 592078

Steve

John Watson’s car is a first series — his old boss joked to me today that wattie still hasn’t cashed in his 1974 F1 drivers pay cheque. Watson probably only half joking once told me the deal gave him his pension :)

I did get permission to post the picture of him in front of the photo as I respect privacy— the Watson ans Faure tales are in public domain so don’t think I’m being in discrete

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blue72s

There's a RHD black RS sunroof for sale right now (3rd series I believe): :eek:

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/...rrera-2-7-rs-4

---

From memory there were 11 RHD 73 sold in black so roughly 10percent of the total RHD RS production. One of our forum members has long time owned one that he took to America

Steve

PS as this is racers cars former f1 world champion Jensen Button owned a Black RS Touring a few years ago but his was LHD.

Article on about Watson and that black RHD first series 73 RS
Reproduced by Porsche. They don’t seem to give the original magazine or author so I can’t credit it:
Attachment 592150
Attachment 592151
Attachment 592152
Attachment 592153
Attachment 592154
Watson memory is incorrect when says F1 world champ James had a “lightweight” if by the he means an M471 Sport. As discussed elsewhere James Hunt’s RS was a first 500 series RHD M472 Touring also. One the last of the first 500 series. Both Hunt’s and Watson’s as first 500 series would have had the lightweight chassis both being being homologation cars that were weighed and certified therefore had the complement of special lighter parts and other things but not converted to M471 Sport that now often misleadingly ans confusingly gets termed “lightweight”. Hunt’s car was originally lilac (colour was sometimes termed royal purple in period in U.K.) and was originally bought by Lord Alexander Hesketh the team owner but Hunt ended up with it. The story is Hunt just took the RS that became his after a race and never returned it but like Watson story the truth is probably it was part-payment for his F1 driving services at Hesketh. Maybe Lord Hesketh even had his 74 RS replacement in order so was a deal that suited both parties? The car was repainted white and had Hesketh livery applied — done fairly really its life but this below is it in original hue (is that track German GP, if so nearly new in summer 1973?)
Attachment 592156
On its U.K. registration plate. Can’t tell colour but other records show lilac. Clearly a n M472 and certainly not white at that point! Elsewhere this thread shows Hunt in it later white / Heaketh team logo colour scheme with Porsche side decals but still on British plates from when he lived in Marbella,Spain.

Hunt’s long term owned 73 RHD RS is often mistaken for the yellow 74 RS Lord Hesketh bought to replace it one of just five RHD British c16 EG made ( sox if count the one for Australia). Lord heaketh himself rang a British newspaper to correct the claim tbe yellow car was Himt but the nonsense once put out there persists.
Attachment 592155



It all tallies with the conversions I’ve had with Watson some years’ back and yesterday with the guy who is mentioned as “big boss” here who confirmed it was a demonstrator for his Hexagon Porsche official agent at time Watson saw it during the meeting to finalise his F1 contract.

There were about 40 RHD RS m472 touring in the first series two of which were long-term owned by f1 drivers. Some of those went to Aus and other RHD markets so the early EG 16 RL are quite few in number. Watson who came third in the world championship and drove the Tag turbo engined McLaren that Porsche developed within the spec of Japan Barnard and then later drove for Porsche still has his 73 (as far as a I know); Hunt kept his from around 73 thorough to 1980 so had it on year of his f1 world championship win thst made even more famous beyond mirror sport fans by the mainstream movie Rush.
Then if first series 73 RHD RS touring good enough for them then more than good enough for me me.

After all Surtees the only man to have ever won a world championship on two wheels and four declared it the best drivers car ever — who am I to argue with him? I have that article somewhere. He didn’t own one but that is a hell an endorsement on top of Hunt and Watson keeping theirs so long when they would’ve had plenty other car choices given their success and earnings at that time.


Steve

While there are other photos extant I have never before seen this particular photo of the ex Lord Alexander Hesketh and then Ex World F1 champion James Hunt’s 911. Hard to see but on my small iPhone screen but might Hunt still have the black key and fob in his hand — looks like a greeting as they are standing on the side a driver would’ve exited having just parked-up a RHD car?
Attachment 602164
It is 73 911 2.7 Carrera RS chassis 9113600498 M472 Touring so one of the quota of just roughly 50 RHD first 500 series RHD RS that Porsche had planned.
Attachment 602170
It has a sunroof and the Durant round mirror used on RHD cars even in 73. Also the 6 Fuchs at front is correct for early RS however being black and silver finish this wheel betrays this RS wasn’t originally white as I believe fit all the 73 RS sold on the reserved GP white colour their buyers elected for the distinctive blue, red or green decals and coloured wheels.

I was fortunate to have half an hour dedicated time sitting and chatting with Lord Hesketh when riding into London together on the Tube in to London’s Mayfair earlier this year. We spoke of various things including F1 obviously but the story of that 73 RS cropped up as I own one of that same first series quota. The story Hunt borrowed and never returned it is nonsense. The truth is despite the title and vast wealth he inherited as a kid they were short of ready cash to pay Hunts salary so he told me team manager “Bubbles” Horsley let Hunt take it to Marbella where he had home fries m sping 74 after the Monaco F1 race in lieu of some of his annual £ retainer as the teams driver. He recalled unprompted the cost of an RS new on U.K. at that time was about £7200 after taxes — which is correct. Probably value of about half of Hunts 1974 salary. Great memory for such detail after 50 years. I asked him about the original colour of this car being lilac and he corrected me saying it was Royal Purple. In the photo above the car had already been repainted white with rear decals to match the famous Hesketh team livery — colours as on Hesketh’s jacket. The side decal PORSCHE was added during that respray. While not clear a close inspection of photo above appears to confirm the story side pinstripes above and below the PORSCHE and Hesketh were red and blue. I’ve read that the car was damaged in 1973 when being driven by Lord Hesketh’s friends and that this mishap may have prompted the respray in white with red/blue team livery colours. Makes sense if required to repaint a damaged car they’d do so in the hesketh team colours. The picture below is not new ( original of one with bin photoshopped out in newspaper) is not conclusive on the side stripes colour scheme however the owner who acquired the car after Hunt did mention toning down the red of decals.

Attachment 602182

The original hue of the car was lilac according to usual references ( “lilac” the official name of purple colour Porsche used on literature) but in the U.K. lilac was sold as “Royal Purple”. That local naming variation of colour is confirmed by this original analysis of the colours of all 911 sold here by sole Porsche concessionaire PCGB in model years 1972 and 1973.
Attachment 602162
Attachment 602163
These 911 sales analysis by colour are typed on old imperial sized foolscap paper for the 911 sold by PCGB — not all 911 worldwide. Doesn’t break down by model however for 1973 the RS is (somewhat) evident as it was the only 911 model available in the reserved GP white colour. Analysis was done by Porsche GB ahead of the British franchised dealer’s jolly to continental Europe. I have have papers relating to their trip among my car’s paperwork courtesy of the salesman who sold my RS brand new. It os evidently a pre-briefing pack showing things like the names of attendees (pretty much every GB dealer principal), the airport and flight details, where to meet, the itinerary and some papers like these analyses produced to support the discussions that presumably qualified this a working trip for tax deduction purposes rather than being seen as a European “jolly”. Royal Purple was the seventh most popular colour sold here in model year 73; up from 16th rank model year 72.

Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 911MRP

Also triple Formula One Champion driver Ayrton Senna was pictured in various road 911s for example this LHD silver cabriolet ....
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....is it same one as in the eponymous film (or is it a lighter shade of silver) ...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig_W6AKhFxM

...and a blue RHD 911 coupe with sunroof that is dates from the summer of 1992, apparently.

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No Porsche car this time but late great Senna has the Porsche brand on tee shirt .. photographed alongside my former boss the late great Sir Frank Williams. Occasion appears to be Senna’s F1 test session in the Williams team in 1983 at Donnington England, before Sennas debut season the following year with another F1 team. I believe it is Tuesday July 19th in 1983 Senna’s first run in a grand prix car. Senna was a rising star having won 10 of the first 13 races of the British Formula 3 Championship, the first nine in a row.

Keke Rosberg’s Monaco winning Williams FW08 Cosworth was the car, senna completed complete 83 laps of the 1.9-mile circuit with a best time of 1:00.82 minutes. Important say for Senna as Keke Rosberg had won the F1 World Drivers’ Championship the prior year 1982 driving for Williams. This is the plaque that Williams displayed at the factory to commemorate the result — to commemorate each of their world championship wins — a matching set I got them when these were being removed from the walls when I worked at the factory on Grove. Nice mementos on my study.

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Senna tested with several other teams ending up at Toleman. Who can forget his outstanding drive at the wet Monaco race that made the whole Grand Prix community sit U.K. and take notice!

A film of his Donnington test exists on www:
https://youtu.be/gGxotKcZ1y4?si=KLwe2VRqV-twEk3W

Despite wearing the Porsche tee shirt evidently Senna didn’t arrive in a 911 that day.

Donnington is an interesting race track. A number of years after Senna’s visit I was fortunate to be invited through my work contacts for what turned out to be 15 laps in an F1 two seater driven by Damon Hill, who had previously won the F1 world drivers’ championship with Williams F1. I did arrive in a Porsche (in fact somewhat relevant to the thread title circa 1983 it had once belonged to a former Williams F1 Race Team Manager) however I didn’t wear the Porsche tee-shirt and I certainly didn’t have a fraction of the driving talent!

I think it’s a nice picture of two legends of the motor racing world, both sadly no longer with us — RIP.

Steve