1959 Porsche 718 RSK Roadster

It is rare to find, or even think of, a more evocative spyder design than that which would be produced by Porsche in the late 1950s. Many would consider the 356 and 550 striking, compact spyder designs. However, the 718, which would come online mid-way through the 1957 season, would be all the more arresting and modern. But the Type 718 wouldn't just look the part. It would more than aptly carry on Porsche's dominance and would greatly influence sports car racing for years to come.

The design of the new car would be just the beginning. Revised suspension would give the new car even greater handling. On top of all this, the car was also much lighter than its predecessor. Therefore, even though it used the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that had been used on the 550, the overall performance of the 718 RSK would be greatly increased. The result would be that the RSK would continue Porsche's class dominance by either winning or ending up on the podium at Sebring, the Targa Florio and Le Mans in 1958. One year later, at the Targa Florio, RSKs would finish one-two-three.

Chassis 718-023 would be completed in March of 1959 by Porsche's racing department. Originally built to the specifications of a 1500 RSK, the car would receive an improved engine, the very same one it retains to this very day.

When completed, 718-023 would end up the property of Miami racer, Roy Schechter. Schechter had been racing Porsches for about a year before he would put up $8,000 for the 718. Receiving the car in September of 1959, Roy would head to Cuba for the 4 Hours of Alamar, an SCCA-sanctioned race held not far from Fidel Castro's home.

Slowed by the rainy conditions and clutch issues, Schechter would finish that first race in 4th place. This would be followed by a 3rd at Napier Field in Dothan, Alabama. Then, some time later, Schechter would head to the Bahamas for what was known as the Nassau Speed Week. Battling against strong competition in the Governor's Trophy race, Roy would finish the main event in 5th place, a rather impressive result against NART Ferraris, Lotus and other RSKs.

Following a 3rd place result in the Riverside Grand Prix in April of 1960, Schechter would retire the car and would actually place an add for the car in Road & Track. Tom Beil of Pennsylvania would buy the Porsche and then would become part of Dr. William Jackson's collection in the late-1960s. Dr. Jackson's Porsche collection would be impressive and extensive, and this fact spoke volumes as to the value he placed on 718-023.

In 1999, after a long spell with Dr. Jackson, Heritage Classics of West Hollywood would purchase the 718-023 along with a number of other cars from his collection. Soon after, E. Kent Rawson, a collector from Florida, would come to own the car. Once again, the Porsche would join a collection filled with remarkable road cars and those created for the track.

The Porsche would undergo a full, concours-detail, restoration. Then, in 2006, the car would be sold again. This time the owner would be Peter Wirichs, another Porsche collector from Germany. Two years later, Jurgen Barth would produce a detailed report of the car's racing history and lineage. Jurgen Barth, the son of former racing driver Edgar Barth, is not only a former racing driver, but also, an authority on Porsche history. Therefore, such documents only add to the story of 023. Because of its history and condition, a prominent collector would become the car's next owner in 2013.

The car's new owner would commission Paul Russell and Company to ensure the Porsche was in full mechanical condition. However, because of its limited racing life and the great care it received over the course of its life, 023 remains a fine example of the 718 RSK.

Though some 55 years on now, the Porsche 718 RSK remains a remarkably modern design and a certain timepiece for the future. And, 718-023 remains one of its most outstanding ambassadors.

Sources:
'1959 Porsche 718 RSK News, Pictures, Specfications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9973/Porsche-718-RSK.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9973/Porsche-718-RSK.aspx. Retrieved 18 February 2014.

'1960 Porsche 718/RS60 News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9972/Porsche-718/RS60.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9972/Porsche-718/RS60.aspx. Retrieved 18 February 2014.

'1959/60 Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder', (http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/motorsport/philosophy/history/racingcars/1959-718rs60/). Porsche. http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/motorsport/philosophy/history/racingcars/1959-718rs60/. Retrieved 18 February 2014.

'1959 Porsche 718 RSK', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1959-porsche-718-rsk-2/#tab2). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1959-porsche-718-rsk-2/#tab2. Retrieved 18 February 2014.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Porsche 718', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 December 2013, 20:14 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Porsche_718&oldid=587418975 accessed 18 February 2014

By Jeremy McMullen