1961 Porsche RS 61 Sports Racing Spyder

This RS61 Spyder was one of the last four-cam Spyders produced. It has an extensive racing pedigree and an impressive list of previous owners. The car was constructed by Porsche in the winter of 1960 and first appeared in the hands of Bob Holbert of Pennsylvania. His business, Holbert's Garage, became one of the first authorized Porsche dealerships in the country and his racing career with the company, which began in 1957, saw him capture four SCCA National Championships and a podium finish at Le Mans. Holbert's racing efforts, along with the financial support of Bernie Weil, helped establish the Porsche mystique in North America.

The first recorded race for 718-070 was the Daytona SCCA National that took place in February. Holbert drove the car to a 1st in class in the 2000cc category. The next race for the car was the Governor's Cup that April. It would finish First in Class, repeating its success at Daytona. The result at the President's Cup three-hour race was impressive, with Holbert finishing First in Class and 4th overall.

By May of 1961, Holbert was driving 718-044, the factory-prepared RS61 that Stirling Moss had raced at the Targa Florio in Sicily earlier that year. This led him to sell 718-070 to East Coast driver, 'Gentleman Tom' Payne. Payne continued to race the car in many East Coast events like the Wisconsin Grand Prix, Thompson Nationals, 500 Sprints in Atlanta, and the Cumberland Nationals.

At the close of the 1961 season, the car was sold to Millard Ripley who won 1st overall at Watkins Glen in June of that year.

The car would have a tremendous racing career, earning 13 wins and 20 podium finishes in SCCA National Competition.

After the conclusion of the 1963 season, the car was retired for just a few years. Near the close of the 1960s, the car was given a restoration and prepared for vintage racing.

In 2010, this Porsche RS61 was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was expected to sell for $1,200,000 - $1,500,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,705,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010