1991 Porsche Gunnar 966-001

Gunnar-Porsche 966-001, First of the Modern Open Cockpit Prototypes

The 966, brainchild of renowned Porsche restoration 'artiste' Kevin Jeannette, paved the way for the World Sports Cars and later open top prototypes that dominate modern sports car racing. Based on a 962 chassis, the design inspiration was the three time LeMans winning 936.

Though the platform for the 966 (a Chapman 962 monocoque) was well past its prime, the 966 held its own against IMSA's best finishing as high as sixth at the Grand Prix of Miami in 1991 (after starting 22nd) and fourth at Lime Rock in 1993. The car also attracted anumber of sports car world's finest drivers including Hurley Haywood, John Paul, Jr., Derek Bell, and Justin Bell.

A fan favorite, the 966 also attracted a number of sponsors and appeared in a variety of livery. The most popular of the paint schemes was probably the BF Goodrich 'Armed Forces' car where more than 5,000 Daytona fans made donations and signed 966-001 in support of the armed forces in Desert Storm. The 966's final livery resulted from Sunoco sponsorship at Lime Rock and Road America in 1993 and pays tribute to the legendary 917-30.