THIS is hot!!!
1968 Porsche 911
TR Factory Car ex-Sonauto Le Mans
http://www.classicdriver.com/de/car/...11/1968/203144
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In 1968, the 911 T was reclassified from the Touring Car category to Group 3 (Stock GT), same as the 911 S. To give a successor to its formidable R, Porsche offered to his Rallyemen or Track Racing customers a special version of the T with an extensive “on-order” program. This opportunity was allowed by a much lighter body compared to the S (-52 kg) aggravated by the deletion of any kind of sound deadening (-25kg). All the racing equipment already homologated on the 911 R was then offered on a comprehensive extras catalog, including big tanks, plastic elements, roll-cage etc..Engine could be specified as a standard S with 160HP, or as a tuned S with 180 Hp but also as a twin plugged, titanium rods 230 HP engine based on 906 or R specs. Suspension was also reinforced with 2 stabs and Koni shocks. 35 cars are said to have been produced as TR's.
Chassis Nr 118 20 807 was delivered new in April 68 to the French importer Sonauto . As shown by the Kardex, this car was dedicated to Ballot-Lena and equipped with the Rallye Package (Rallye Ausrüstung), including a foot rest ! Engine was an S engine (Nr 4081042), but the gearbox was specified as a “Nurbürgring” 901/54 with special gear ratios ( 5 speeds 7:31 ratios B : A : M : R : V).
Sonauto still had another 911 TR Nr 118 20 779 they had previously raced during the Le Mans pre-qualifications beginning of April, into the hands of Buchet, Laurent and Farjon. But Claude Ballot-Lena and Guy Chasseuil were hired in this month of April as the official racing drivers of Sonauto and 118 20 807 was immediately entered in Montlhéry Coupes de Vitesse in April (finished 10th), then in the Paris GP in May and in the Rallye du Sud-Ouest, where the car was photographed with its actual road registration number 6350 UT 75 , its title showing the Sonauto ownership. This car was then entered with the number 44 to the 1968 Le Mans 24H , the race having been postponed in September by the French Mai 68 events. Unfortunately, the car didn’t finish the race and lapped only 224 times, after an engine failure.
In 69 the car was sold (or hired) to Marcel Martin and was entered again in the Montlhéry Coupes de vitesse (10th) , then at the ACIF Grand Prix (7th). The car qualified for the Le Mans 24Hours 1969 with number 63, driven by Mazzia and Mauroy but was forced to rest after a gearbox failure. The car was entered at the 1000 km de Paris in september, made the best lap time in the GT category and finished 15th again with Mazzia-Mauroy. Its last appearance as a pure-bread is dated 1970 at the Coupes de l’ ACIF, again in Montlhéry (finished 10th overall)
This historic major car is currently undergoing a complete restoration. A comprehensive file of more than 300 pictures will be available to certify the comprehensive and professional process. It was an emotion to rediscover when the car was stripped out some of the traces of its racing career, like the very “Le Mans” number-lights holes on the doors and of course all the original numberings on the body, including the matching body-shell “secret” number.
This car will of course be eligible to all lajor international events like Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto etc..An homologated FIA roll cage will be fitted, same as other current racing safety equipments. A 2L twin plugs Carrea 6 engine with Weber 46 carbs will give to this fantastic car all of its former glory and voice !
Clearly a grail for an early eleven discerning collector.
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