1985 Porsche 962C

The Porsche 962 was designed for the International Motor Sports Association GTP racing and as a replacement for the Porsche 956. The 956 had been a highly successful race car and had captured many triumphs including the 24 Hours Le Mans and the FIA series.

American John Bishop, the founder of the International Motor Sports Association, was responsible for the longer wheelbase on the 956. When the 956 was introduced, Bishop refused to accept the vehicle partly because of safety concerns. The pedals were mounted in front of the front axle line. To comply with safety concerns and new regulations, the 956 was stretched to make room for the pedal box. A roll cage was later added.

The Porsche 962 was first raced by the factory in the 1984 season which opened at the Daytona 24 Hours. Driven by Mario and Michael Andretti, it was retired due to engine and gearbox problems. A total of five Porsche 962 models had been constructed for the 1984 season and all were powered by a 2.8-liter water-cooled power plant. Part-way through the season, a 3.2-liter Type 935 six-cylinder engine with mechanically injected turbo was placed into one of the 962 models. A short-tail improved the aerodynamics and the Porsche 962 was poised to conquer the racing circuit. Which it did, capturing victories at the Daytona 24 Hours race five times.

The Porsche 962C, introduced in 1985 for the World Endurance Championship, had a twin-turbocharged 3000 cc water-cooled engine producing 750 horsepower. The engines were built to last 26 hours. This included two hours for testing and then racing for 24 hours straight. The acceleration, braking, and road handling were impressive, thanks in part to its 900 kg bodyweight. The aerodynamics was effective at holding the car on the road. During a qualification run at LeMans during the 1985 season, it proved to be the quickest vehicle. However, at the end of the 24-hour race it was in second place to a Porsche 956, the 956 having scored its fourth consecutive victory. The Porsche 956 chassis number 117 became one of the few in history to achieve back-to-back first place trophies at LeMans, winning in 1984 and 1985. The vehicle had been entered by Privateer Reinhold Joest.

The World Endurance Championship, WEC, changed its name to World Sports Prototype Championship, WSPC, in 1986. The Porsche 962 had another successful season, similar to 1985. At LeMans, two of the three Porsche 962C's entered were retired due to mechanical problems. The final Porsche 962C was able to score victory.

In 1987, the FIA adopted the IMSA regulation requiring the pedal box to be installed behind the front axle, making the Porsche 956 obsolete. The Porsche 962 was showing its age as the Jaguars and Mercedes were beginning to outpace the vehicle at most of the World Championship races. For LeMans, however, the 962 captured its sixth consecutive victory after most of the field had been forced to retire. It was the last LeMans victory for the Porsche 962 until 1994 when enough examples had been produced making it eligible for the newly created GT1 class.

For over ten years, the Porsche 962 dominated the racing circuit including the 24 Hours of LeMans, Daytona, FIA and IMSA racing. The Porsche 962 was so popular and so competitive that even its 1,000,000 price tag could not keep up with demand. Nearly 150 were sold and because of such a large customer program, every component was available off the shelf direct from Porsche.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 962-002

This factory 'Werks' car is one of the most historically significant Porsche racing cars of all time. It is the second 962 constructed by the factory and competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the Rothmans Porsche factory 'Werks' team.

In the 10 race 1985 championship series, chassis 002, which was driven by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass, won three times; Mugello 1000km, Silverstone 1000km and the Selangor 800km. They finished second at the Brands Hatch 1000km and a 4th at the Monza 1000km. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans they qualified 2nd and led much of the race only to be slowed by minor mechanical problems to finish in 10th place.

In 1986, the car was mainly used for testing at the factory and as a backup car for Rothmans Team Porsche. It only raced twice that season; the 24 Hours of Le Mans driven by Vern Schuppan and Drake Olson, and the 1000km of Fuji driven by Derek Bell and Hans-Joachim Stuck.

It is an all-original car, both engine and monocoque, and has been completely restored to period-perfect configuration.

Coupe
Chassis number: 962-003

With the 962, Porsche sought to build on its prior success - success that began with the 917s, and continued with the 935 and 956, the latter of which was unbeaten at Le Mans from 1982 through 1985. The new model, introduced at the end of 1984, would bring continued success, winning at Le Mans in 1986, 1987, and 1994, and there were many other wins as well.

This particular 962C (962-003) was piloted primarily by Derek Bell and Hans-Joachim Stuck. In 1985, it won at Hockenheim, Mosport, and Brands Hatch, also placing 2nd at Spa and 3rd at Le Mans, thereby winning the WEC World Championship. In 1986, this car won Le Mans outright, and it also won at Monza and placed 2nd at Silverstone. Derek Bell was the World Drivers Champion in both of these years. The car also continued to podium in races in both the 1987 and 1988 seasons.

Bell/Stuck drove the Porsche 962C in 1985 to a 3rd place finish at LeMans. It won 1st at Hockenheim and Mosport, 2nd at Spa, and 1st at Brands Hatch. It won the WEC Championship.

In 1986, Bell/Stuck drove the car to 1st at Monca, 2nd at Silverstone, 1st at LeMans, and crashed at Nurburgring.

The current caretakers have owned this Porsche since 1993.

Coupe
Chassis number: 962-002

This is one of the most significant Porsche racing cars of all time. The 962 was introduced at the end of 1984. This car, the second 962, was constructed by the factory for the Rothmans team to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship. In the 1985 championship series, chassis 002 was driven by Jack Ickx and Jochen Mass. They finished second at the Brands Hatch 1000 KM and fourth at the Monza 1000 km. In 1987, the car was raced only once - at the 24 Hours of LeMans, driven by Hans Stuck, Derek Bell and Al Holbert. One of three Rothmans team cars, this particular car qualified in second and went on to win the race. In total, 57 complete Porsche 962s were built, along with 35 spare tubs, between 1984 and 1991

Coupe

A one-off IMSA Ligths car that ran Miami, Sebring, and Daytona IMSA races, with a podium finish at Daytona in 1986. Also referred to as a Royale Porsche PR40.