1976 Porsche 935 Coupe

The template for Group 5 racing had been in place since the mid-1960s. Rules changed over the years, and 1976 was no different. FIA made changes that allowed extensive modifications to production-based vehicles homologated in Groups 1 through 4. These 'special production cars' were designed to compete in the World Championship for Makes and followed the 'silhouette' rules. This allowed for major bodywork and chassis upgrades as long as the basic silhouette remained unchanged when viewed from the front. This allowed Porsche to refine their turbocharged 911 into the Type 935 and to compete for the Manufacturer's Championship.

Porsche began work on the Type 935in late 1974. This example, chassis number 930 570 0001 (this car) was the first 935 built and the first Porsche to carry a 930-prefix chassis number. The car was internally designated R14 and constructed in late 1975 and made its first test runs at the Paul Ricard Circuit in December.

Like the 1974 Group 5 Porsche, the 935 had radically styled fiberglass bodywork, coil-sprung suspension, massive rear tires and a turbocharged flat-six engine. The Carrera Turbo 2.14 models - of which the 935 showed clear signs of its evolution - was developed to produce between 400 and 500 bhp depending on boost. The new 935 was conservatively rated at just under 600 horsepower, with as much as 630 bhp available for short bursts.

Each of the Porsche works drivers were given an opportunity to drive the 935 in 1976. Jochen Mass, who had been signed to drive for the Porsche works team in 1976, drove the 935 at Paul Ricard and was very impressive with the new car.

During the pre-training session, 9350-001 served as the practice car for Stommelen and Schurti.

After testing and development trials, Porsche constructed 935-002 to serve as the primary Martini Racing Team works entry throughout the 1976 season. In its first two races, Mugello and Vallelunga were without competition. At Le Mans, a non-championship race for 1976, 935-002 won the Group 5 class and placed 4th overall.

Late in the season, 935-001 was prepared and brought into service in an all-out attempt to win the Group 5 Championship. The debut race for the car took place on July 10th of 1976, at the Six Hours of Watkins Glen in New York. In a combined field of 33 SCCA Trans-Am and FIA Group 5 entries, Stommelen and Schurti drove 935-001 to a second in qualifying. During the race, it dominated the six-hour race, setting the fastest lap and taking the checkered flag ahead of 934/5 and 935-002.

After The Glen, 935-001 was sent to Dijon, France where it took part in the final race of the 1976 championship season on September 4th. Again, Stommelen and Schurti drove the car during the six hour event, finishing in 3rd Place behind 935-002 and the Vallian-sponsored Kremer entry. This helped Porsche clinch the 1976 Group 5 World Championship for Makes Cup, and it marked the first time that the championship had been won by a forced-induction car.

935-001 was later sold to Vasek Polak in Hermosa Beach, California, and for approximately two decades, the car remained in Polak's garage, surrounded by other significant Porsche racing cars. When the collection was eventually sold in the late 1990s, Kevin Jeanette acquired 935-001 and was added to his collection of racing Porsches. From there, it was sold to John Kotts of Houston, Texas. In July of 2009, it was purchased by Matthew Drendel.

The car is powered by a 2875cc single overhead cam six-cylinder engine with a Bosch Mechanical fuel injection system and a single KKK turbocharger. Power produced from the engine is estimated at 590 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drilled and ventilated disc brakes, and an independent suspension setup. In the front there are MacPherson struts with coil-over shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. In the back is a double wishbone setup with semi-trailing arms, coil-over shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $1,700,000 - $2,000,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $2,530,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2012