Many racing fans and specialists alike regard the Porsche 962 as one of the crucial triumphant race vehicles within the historical past of motorsports. Launched in 1984 because the successor to the equally exceptional 956, the 962 maintained its aggressive edge nicely into the Nineteen Nineties, asserting dominance in each Europe’s Group C and North America’s unique IMSA GTP class.
Now you may personal that greatness as one of many vehicles, the ultimate 962 chassis constructed, and a automobile initially raced by Swiss staff Brun Motorsport, together with on the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, is headed for public sale.
The automobile, which bears chassis quantity 962-177 and was delivered to Brun Motorsport in 1991, might be positioned below the hammer at an RM Sotheby’s sale in Paris, France, scheduled for Jan. 31.
Brun Motorsport, which noticed earlier successes with earlier 962s, entered chassis no. 962-177 within the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans with staff founder Walter Brun driving alongside staff veterans Jésus Pareja and Oscar Larrauri. Regardless of qualifying sixth, rules over engine time meant the staff needed to begin 14th. They ended up ending tenth general.
1991 Porsche 962 bearing chassis no. 962-177 – Picture credit score: RM Sotheby’s
As a substitute of the Repsol livery the automobile wore at Le Mans, it presently wears the FAT Worldwide livery it wore throughout a race on the Nürburgring simply a few months after its Le Mans outing. Its last race came about in Mexico within the tail finish of 1991. Pareja along with Massimo Sigala drove the automobile to an eighth-place end. Three years later, it was absolutely restored by main Porsche buyer staff Joest Racing.
The pre-auction estimate is between 1.2 million euros and 1.5 million euros (roughly $1.3 million and $1.6 million), which is not dangerous as the vendor may also have the automobile’s mechanicals checked over by Larbre Compétition earlier than handing over the keys, in keeping with the itemizing. One other Porsche 962 that solely competed at one race on the Nürburging was listed final yr by Mechatronik for near the upper estimate of the automobile headed to public sale.
The 962 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter flat-6 making about 680 hp, and propelling a chassis weighing lower than 2,000 kilos. Add in ground-effects bodywork formed by legendary Porsche engineer Norbert Singer, and also you had a world beater.
Whereas the 962 could not boast the identical stage of competitiveness because it did in its prime, fans can nonetheless expertise loads of enjoyment because of the growing recognition of historic racing occasions. These gatherings allow outdated racing vehicles to partake in class races, providing a singular and thrilling alternative. A lucky fanatic may purchase this automobile, whether or not for racing on the circuit or just relishing the possession of proudly owning the ultimate instance of one among Porsche’s best race vehicles in historical past.
