1961 Porsche RS 61 Sports Racing Spyder

Porsche unveiled the RS60 in January 1960, and 18 examples were produced in 1960, four of which were retained by the works team. For the 1961 season, Porsche built another 14 Spyders for its customers, christening the new cars RS61s. The RS61 was identical to the RS60 in all details sans the name.

The RS60 and RS61 were the ultimate evolution of Porsche's aluminum-bodied, four-cam Spyder, bringing an end to a legacy that originated in 1953 with the Type 550. A refined version of the works RSK built for the 1959 season, the RS60 maintained the internal Type 718 designation, with improvements that included unequal-length rear wishbone suspension, improved brakes, 15-inch wheels (smaller than the RSK), and a larger cockpit. The wheelbase grew by four inches but the front and rear track remained unchanged.

The improvements bestowed upon the RS60 resulted in better handling, making it more predictable than the RSK that it replaced. Additionally, the Wendler-built aluminum coachwork was given minor variations to the doors, nose, and head fairing, along with a taller framed windshield of FIA-mandated height.

The Type 547/3 four-cam, air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine displaced 1,678cc and produced an estimated 175 horsepower at 7,800 RPM with twin Weber 46 IDA3 carburetors installed.

Porsche placed second in the 1960 FIA World Sportscar Championship with the RS60, with victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Targa Florio. Privateers won both the FIA European Hill Climb Championship and the SCCA E Modified National Championship.

Chassis 718-076
This Porsche RS61, chassis number 718-06, was completed in February 1961, wearing a silver exterior paint scheme and powered by a Type 547/3 four-cam engine, no. 90336.

After leaving the factory, this Porsche was sent to Austrian racing driver Hermann Müller, who campaigned it in numerous hill climbs and circuit races through 1963. Among the events contested by Müller were Mont Ventoux, Ollon-Villars, and Trento Bondone - these events were part of the FIA European Hill Climb Championship.

For the 1963 season, Müller updated his RS61 with a more modern Kamm-tail design and gave it a paint scheme that resembled the Austrian flag: red with a wide central white stripe. In this guise, 718-076 earned a class victory in the Trophée d'Auvergne, an FIA World Sportscar Championship race held at the French Charade circuit. Near the close of the 1963 racing season, Müller sold 718-076 to Dr. Dawie S. Gous of South Africa. Nearly unbeatable with his new Porsche, Dr. Gous won that year's South African Sports Car Championship.

By mid-1965, Dr. Gous sold his RS61 to fellow South African racer Clive van Buuren, who campaigned it under the Ecurie Tomahawk banner through 1967, winning the South African 6 Hours outright and capturing back-to-back Top 10 results at the Kyalami 9 Hours.

When van Buuren sold his Porsche, it was purchased by Stan Wesselink, who raced it in historic events, winning a vintage race at Kyalami and the Sports Car Club of South Africa Hill Climb in Krugersdorp.

The car's next owner was Tony Norris. In the late 1970s, it was purchased by California Porsche-Audi Inc. of San Francisco, and exported to the United States. By this point in history, the RS61 had been given more aerodynamic bodywork, 911-type steering rack, and annular disc brakes. Mounted midship was a more potent Type 574/5 four-cam engine (no. 90403). The car continues to be powered by engine number 90403.

Around 1987, Jeffrey Keiner of Orlando, Florida, acquired 718-076. While in his care, the RS61 was given a restoration and repainted black. It was raced in numerous historic races and concours events before being sold to A. Dano Davis, owner of the Brumos Collection in Jacksonville, Florida.

In the mid-2000s, the RS61 joined Stanley Gold's California-based Porsche collection and saw active use on the vintage racing circuit, including the Le Mans Classic and multiple outings at Rennsport Reunion and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

The car has been in the care of its current caretaker since 2013.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2024