Originally Posted by 911MRP
I think you are referring to this car:
I think you are referring to this car:
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.)
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 ; )
Last edited by 911MRP; 11-03-2015 at 08:47 AM.
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.
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.
Last edited by 911MRP; 08-16-2015 at 06:01 PM.
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
Last edited by HughH; 08-17-2015 at 05:41 PM.
Hugh Hodges
73 911E
Melbourne Australia
Foundation Member #005
Australian TYP901 Register Inc.
Early S Registry #776
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?
Last edited by 911MRP; 08-20-2015 at 06:00 PM.
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 ....
....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.
Last edited by 911MRP; 08-20-2015 at 08:20 PM.
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!)
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