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Category: Porsche (Page 20 of 24)

IN THE GARAGE: 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

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VINWP0CB2968LS470358
Exterior[L700] Black
Interior[LC] Beige Partial Leather
Motor3.6 L H6 rated at 247+ bhp
Gearbox5-Speed Manual
Odometer71,815 mi.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PAMPERING. Bridging the gap between the classic “impact bumper” 911s like the SC and Carrera 3.2 and the more modern 993, the 964 is considered by many to be the best of both worlds. It closely resembles the iconic shape that dates back to the 911’s debut in 1964 while incorporating the sleek styling of the modern Porsches. It looks like a more aerodynamic Carrera 3.2 but according to Porsche, the 964 is over 90% new components; therefore it represents a milestone in the 911s history. Yet it naturally maintains the air-cooled motor (now enlarged to 3.6 liters and developing 247 bhp in stock form) with further air cooling provided by the convertible top. With meticulous records including original window sticker, this is an impeccably maintained, original, low-mileage car that exemplifies the 964 as every bit 911, but decidedly unique in character from those that came before or since.

OVERALL CONDITION
The first thing we notice about the car is its paint. It maintains an outstanding gloss and depth and has never seen any accident damage. It is perfectly straight with no dings, scratches or signs of rust whatsoever. A tremendous amount of care has been given throughout its ownership to preserve its integrity. The top is all original with clear rear window and canvas in near new condition, with only one small (1/2″) snag. Rubber is like new all around and was clearly kept out of heat and dryness. Inside, we find a partial leather interior that shows very little wear. There is just the right amount of patina, but no bolster wear and no cracks or tears. Controls and instruments all work properly including cold AC. Carpets are deep and thick. The motor, like any 3.6, is a beautiful piece of machinery, but one with under 72,000 original miles and fresh service is exceptionally beautiful. There are no valve guide issues or unusual pings, tings or other noises. With a Porsche-engineered intentional omission of head gaskets, early 964s were notorious leakers. As part of full disclosure, this one is no exception. However it is minimal, with only about a spoonful after sitting a few days. There is no smoke on startup and fires immediately, even after periods of dormancy. The transmission has also been serviced on schedule and is very solid with smooth, crisp linkages up and down through all gears. The factory D90 wheels are perhaps some of the nicest to feature on any 911 and these are in near flawless condition with no curb rash and excellent finish. They are shod with Bridgestone Potenzas that show very good life (80+% tread). This is an exceptionally nice and properly kept example of a 964.

Options

070Tonneau cover – Cabriolet
220Locking differential
286High intensity windscreen washer
288Headlight washer
437Comfort seat left
438Comfort seat right
454Automatic speed control
4942 speakers on back shelf
513Lumbar support – right seat
586Lumbar support – left seat
691CD-Player “CD-1” with Radio (since replaced)
C02Equipped with catalytic converter

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
I’ve said it before. 911s are made to be driven. Like any 911, this one is loads of fun to drive. Put your foot in it and its seats will hug you. Show it a twisty road and it will dance with you. If you’re feeling a little racy, that’s fine too. Everything on it it silky and tight. The 3.6 liter motor fires up and pulls strong while the 5-speed transmission is crisp and sure with so play and no sync issues. Steering is very responsive and the road feel is excellent through a tight suspension and excellent Bridgestone tires. Braking is firm and solid. This is a car that feels classic but completely fresh and relevant. In other words, it’s a true 911.

IN THE NEWS: Porsche Ranks Highest Among All Nameplates in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

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ATLANTA.   For the second year in a row, Porsche ranked highest among all nameplates in the J.D. Power Initial Quality StudySM out of a total of 32 international automakers covered in the U.S. study.

The Porsche 911, Boxster, and Panamera models ranked highest in their segments, receiving the J.D. Power Award as the vehicles with the highest level of initial quality in the Midsize Premium Sporty Car, Compact Premium Sporty Car, and Large Pre- mium Car segments, respectively. This is the third year in a row that the Porsche 911 finished highest in its segment and the second year in a row the Boxster finished highest in its segment. The Porsche Cayenne SUV ranked second in the Midsize Premium SUV segment.

The Porsche factory located in Leipzig, Germany, which produces the Cayenne and Panamera models garnered an award for the highest ranking plant in Europe/Africa.

“The acid test is customer satisfaction,” said Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Execu- tive Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. “We are delighted we can meet the high quality demands of Porsche drivers. For us, the ratings are both a demonstration as well as an incentive to continue along our path to quality growth.”

The annual J. D. Power Initial Quality Study, now in its 28th year, serves as an in- dustry benchmark for new vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. The response of more than 86,000 U.S. car buyers forms the basis for the study. These buyers indicated how satisfied they were with the quality of their new cars during the first three months of ownership. The study evaluated a total of 239 vehicle models from 32 carmakers, which were initially registered between November 2013 and Feb- ruary 2014. The owners answered questions on more than 233 criteria from different categories.

ON THE BLOCK: What to Watch Russo and Steele Newport Beach

Lot 8041 – 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Thursday June 19 2014 6:26-6:46 pm
moto+match estimate: $95,000

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Garaged from new, this original 1970 Boss 302 is a rust-free, unrestored survivor with 64,000 original miles. It is the only example with its special-order Bright Blue Metallic paint code. The consignor acquired it from the original owner’s nephew to become only the third owner. The exterior, interior, engine, and transmission are all original and remain very good. The Boss is complete with original documents including sales and service records from selling dealer Bob Wonders Ford in Alhambra, California.

 

Lot 8137 – 1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible
Friday June 20, 2014 2:44-3:04 pm
moto+match estimate: $45,000

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This Imperial’s distinctive body is finished in the most attractive black color, and the odometer reads less than 65,000 miles. Well preserved and garaged, the Imperial is powered by an excellent running 413 cubic inch V-8. It delivers a whisper-quiet and smooth ride and features a clean engine compartment. With fast-growing collector appreciation, this rare Imperial Crown Convertible is a must-own premium classic vehicle.

 

Lot 8219 – 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Guerney
Friday, June 20 2014 2:53-3:13 pm
moto+match estimate: $35,000

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This is an extremely hard to find 1967 Cougar Dan Gurney Special. Only 15,166 of these were built and here is your chance to one at No Reserve. This car has all the right options. The engine is the 289-4V engine and has the beautiful Lime Frost paint (color code I) and also comes with the black standard bucket seats in perfect condition. The transmission is the C-4 Select shift Merc-O-Matic which shifts perfectly. The previous owner has owned it for about 15 years, and it looks to have had an older restoration, we think 10+ years ago. However, the car is in extremely good condition. This is the Dan Gurney Special which was available for this year. This includes the engine dress-up kit and the Dan Gurney sticker on the rear passenger window. The car comes with the Marti Report that shows the car’s VIN number and trim numbers decoded so you know exactly what you are getting. This is a great find and it will look great in any collection.

 

Lot 8128 – 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
Saturday, June 21 2014 4:56-5:16 pm
moto+match estimate: $65,000

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The 1972 Alfa Romeo was purchased from the original owner in 2013 from the president of the Alfa Romeo Club in Tuscany, Garage del Tempo. The name of the original owner is Nino Delogu. He purchased the car new in 1972. The car was purchased from Nino Delogu by Franco Manetti, the second owner, in 2013. The car was imported to the United States in 2014. The car has a clear California title. The original color of the car is white. It was repainted the original white color in 2002. The blue interior of the car is in excellent condition, the dash is very clean and all of the gauges work. The current original mileage is 55,000 km. The factory V-8 Alfa Romeo engine sounds like a new car. The car is designed by Bertone. This exotic car is a great investment.

Lot 8033 – 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
Saturday, June 21 2014 5:56-6:16
moto+match estimate: $80,000

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This Flint, Michigan-built ’57 Nomad wagon was acquired by the consignor from a gentleman in Idaho during 2005 and retained the original drivetrain. It was given a frame-off restoration to original specifications, including the color scheme, as photo-documented. During the process, the vehicle was dipped and stripped down to the bare metal, all of which was restored with over 680 hours in body and paint alone with no filler used. All of the stainless-steel trim is original, with all dents removed and polished to a chrome-like finish, and the glass is all new. The 283 ‘Power Pack’ small-block V-8 breathes through dual exhaust. This Nomad has been honored with many awards. Covered and stored in a garage, it is only brought out for shows. Since completion of the restoration in 2008, the car has just over 600 miles of use.

 

Lot 8072 – 1961 Lotus 20/22 Formula Junior
Saturday, June 21 2014 6:02-6:22 pm
moto+match estimate: $45,000

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The Monterey Historics and other high-profile events. Peter Denty, a noted restorer of vintage racing cars, restored it in the UK during the winter of 1985 for then-owner Chris Ball, who had relocated to Canada at the and brought the car to North America with him, which he drove to the North American Formula Junior championship in 1986. The Lotus was eventually acquired by Don Denhard, who raced the car at many vintage-racing events, and then sold it circa 2003 to the consignor, who had the car restored from the frame up. The restoration included frame straightening and the rebuilding of the brakes, hydraulics, and steering, plus installation of all new rod ends, front A-arms, and rear radius rods. Steve Jennings overhauled a new Richardson 1,097 cc Ford-Cosworth engine, which is topped by a rebuilt air intake and cold-air box for the twin Weber carburetors matching the unit on the Lotus 22 depicted in William Taylor’s The Lotus Book. A new fuel cell resides inside the original fuel tank. Other new items include the Varley battery, Koni steel shocks, exhaust system, correct vintage-size Dunlop tires, and many other important detail items. Converted in period to Type 22 specification with “layover” engine configuration and all proper detail items, this Lotus 20/22 is an excellent “no excuses” example, offered complete with its FIA Historical Technical Passport issued May 26, 2009 and racing logbook, plus correspondence. A potent and historic single-seat racing car, this Lotus 20/22 marks the most successful “pre-monocoque” racing-car design of the early 1960s.

 

Lot 8071 – 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 LS6
Saturday 6:20-6:40 pm
moto+match estimate: $120,000

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The original owner of this magnificent Cortez Silver LS6 Chevelle 2-door hardtop was not shy about checking option boxes, as it was equipped with some rare features. In addition to the behemoth big-block 454 LS6 with the highest 450-horsepower rating features include an M-22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speed manual transmission. Cowl Induction, functional hood lock pins, plus hood and deck stripes were part of the LS6 package as well. To complete the beefy drive-train, a 12-bolt rear axle, Chevy’s strongest, is equipped with a 3.73:1 ratio. Optional power front disc brakes, power steering, and tilt wheel were other factory options. Inside, black vinyl Strato-Bucket front seats flank the floor console. The dash is fully equipped with factory tach and gauges, along with a factory-installed AM/FM radio. This SS454 is also one of very few equipped with the rare rear-window defogger option. A full body-off restoration was completed less than 400 miles ago, and this legendary musclecar car awaits the opportunity to give a hard run to match the 0-60 mph in 6 seconds and 13-second quarter mile times written in the magazine tests. With only 4,475 LS6-equipped SS454s ever produced, this highly desirable example, with matching numbers authenticated by an independent source (a copy of the report will be available for review on-site), is equally ready for “go” and “show.”

 

Lot 8244 – 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
Saturday, June 21 2014 7:46-8:06
moto+match estimate: $200,000

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The E-Type was expertly restored by Classic Vision Restoration in Burbank, California. To those few classic-car enthusiasts not familiar with their work, Classic Vision is responsible for two Pebble Beach Best of Show restorations, plus six Pebble Beach Best in Class awards and many more top concours-winning restorations. Striking in Opalescent Gunmetal Grey over Red, this exceptional ‘Series I’ E-Type is offered complete with an original service manual and its corresponding Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate of Authenticity.

 

Lot 8284 – 1968 Porsche 911S Sunroof Coupe
Saturday, June 21 2014 8:06-8:26 pm
moto+match estimate: $200,000

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Finished in Polo Red and factory-equipped with a sunroof, this short-wheelbase, first-generation 1968 Porsche 911 S features the highly desirable 2.0-liter, Weber-carbureted flat-six engine, five-speed manual transaxle, and 1968-specific features including 5.5-inch wide Fuchs wheels and elephant-grained upholstery. This particular example was sold new in Hanover, Germany and moved later in its life to sunny Southern California, where it has remained ever since. A complete “nut-and-bolt” restoration was completed to Pebble Beach standards by a very reputable early-911 specialist in 2012-2013 with only 1,500 miles driven by its owner since the restoration was completed, meaning the car is just broken in! Of course, this highly optioned 911 S retains its matching numbers engine and gearbox, as confirmed by both the accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and Porsche factory build sheet/Kardex. The concours-quality restoration has been fully documented and the file accompanying the car also contains a CD-ROM with hundreds of pictures of the restoration process. The original owner’s manual also accompanies the sale of this outstanding and historic 911 S. Incredibly rare in the USA today and featuring many 1968-only features, this factory sunroof-equipped, short-wheelbase 911 S simply “ticks all the boxes” for an astute early 911 purchase in the top factory-available specification of the era. As such, it will surely take pride of place in the finest collections of the world’s most important sporting machines ever conceived.

 

Lot 8118 – 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
Saturday, June 21 2014 8:29-8:49 pm
moto+match estimate: $230,000

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Continuing to benefit from an older complete restoration to factory specifications and handsomely presented throughout, this 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster is particularly engaging with its distinctive Strawberry Red finish complemented by a striking Beige-trimmed cockpit. It was imported to the USA from Luxembourg during the mid-1970s and acquired by a long-term owner in 1987, under whom the restoration was completed in the 1990s by Pebble Beach regular Lon Kruger of Sun Valley Classics. Complete with registration, title, service, and restoration records, this 190 SL marks an ideal choice as a fast-rising and highly collectible classic roadster delivering iconic style, ease of maintenance and operation, and undeniable European panache.

 

 

 

 

ON THE TRACK: Strong Performance by Porsche at Le Mans

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After a strong performance by both 919 Hybrids, the Porsche Team was left empty handed on the Stuttgart marque’s return to the top LMP1 category at Le Mans after a dramatic final stage of the race. After more than 22 hours, the crew of car no. 20 (Timo Bernhard/Brendon Hartley/Mark Webber) suffered a powertrain problem at the most famous sports car endurance race in the world.

Earlier in the race, the car was leading for a significant period. The second innovative and highly complex 919 Hybrid prototype – in the hands of Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb – likewise proved to be very competitive, but was hampered by a drivetrain problem in the closing stages. However, their no. 14 car crossed the finish line under its own power.

After a thrilling start to the race with changing weather conditions, numerous accidents and a relatively calm night, Timo Bernhard took the lead in the Porsche 919 Hybrid. This was after 20 of the 24 hours. At 12:36 on Sunday he handed the leading car over to Mark Webber. Less than 20 minutes later, the Australian was forced to slow down and drove solely on electric power back to the pits. The team could not repair the damaged powertrain.

Not even half an hour later, the sister car with Marc Lieb at the wheel had a gearbox failure. Car no. 14 was lying fourth before it was pushed into the garage at 12:54. Shortly before the chequered flag was waved, the Porsche 919 Hybrid returned to track, but in the end was not classified.

Comments after the race:

Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG: “Our return to Le Mans has been a strong team effort. It almost happened that our secret dream came true to crown the debut of the Porsche 919 Hybrid with a podium finish. For a remarkable period we were leading the race. I want to thank everyone who contributed with hard work. Now we keep our heads up and will plan an even stronger return for 2015.”

Wolfgang Hatz, Board member for Research and Development Porsche AG: “It was our declared target to finish this race. This didn’t really work out, but at least we have managed to show the huge potential of the 919 Hybrid and its innovative powertrain. We believe in our courageous concept and we will develop it further. We have already started work on the 2015 race car.”

Fritz Enzinger, Vice President LMP1: “This result is not the reward our team deserved after this intense time of preparation work. We have had an unbelievable and unforgettable race with its highs and lows. Everyone in the entire team was working to the limits and never gave up. I am very proud of our team.”

Andreas Seidl, Team Principal LMP1: “At the moment, of course, there is a lot of disappointment. But if anyone would have told us before the race that the outcome would be what it was, we would have been very happy with it. We have learned a lot for next year and tomorrow we start to prepare for 2015. The drivers and the entire crew – everyone did a great job. We are proud to have brought one car to the finish line. To be able to fight with the other one for the silverware until shortly before the end was the icing on the cake.”

Alexander Hitzinger, Technical Director LMP1: “Congratulations to Audi for the well-deserved victory. Certainly we are disappointed, because such a good result seemed to be within reach for us too. But still we can be proud of what we have achieved. We have proven that we have got a fast car and our competition has taken notice of the 919 Hybrid. It was our target to finish the race, but in a different way than we did. I am looking forward to the remaining races of the FIA World Endurance Championship and to Le Mans 2015. Today the car was not always easy to handle and our drivers did a great job. I want to thank them for that.”

Porsche 919 Hybrid (car no. 14)
Neel Jani: “Our car ran really well. At times we have been right at the front. Because such a huge potential was there, I am very disappointed about the result. On the other hand, we always knew that sustainability was crucial and difficult to achieve quickly.”

Marc Lieb: “I am rather lost for words, because it is hard to deal with incidents like those that occurred during the race. The no. 20 Porsche 919 Hybrid had a really fantastic race. They had no problems at all until shortly before the end. On the other hand, our no. 14 car was slowed down by some minor technical failures, which forced us to stop several times in the pits. Nevertheless, we did the best we could. Some one and a half hours before the chequered flag there was a bigger problem. The team managed to get the car running again and we finally managed to cross the line.”

Porsche 919 Hybrid (car no. 20)
Timo Bernhard: “I think, after all, it was a great return for Porsche – to come back to Le Mans and to the WEC after such a long time. But for me it is very sad because we were fighting very hard – at the end, in fact, also for the victory. It would have been a podium at least. It is hard to take, the guys did a great job. The car was running well. We had some difficult issues with the balance of the car, and it was not easy to drive. But in the end, I was saving fuel and keeping away from the kerbs. And then we had a broken engine, which happened in first gear. But I think the bottom line is, it’s a great return by Porsche.“

Mark Webber: “That was tough for everyone. It would have been such an amazing achievement to go through to the finish. I think we never expected to be in such a great position towards the end of the race. What Porsche did is a very big feather in its cap. Few people know how hard it is to get the cars to this point in the race. I’m really sorry for the guys. There is never ever a good retirement in Le Mans, but today is one of the best you could probably have in a way, because we went so far and we learned so much. If you stop early you learn nothing and it’s tough. When you stop with a lap to go it’s probably even more brutal. It was our first time here at Le Mans and we were very close to the podium.“

Porsche 911 RSR finishes 24 hour marathon at Le Mans third in GT class

The sports car race on the 8 mile (13.269 km) Circuit des 24 Heures kept over 250,000 spectators on the edge of their seats with enthralling fights for positions and spectacular overtaking manoeuvres.

When two heavy rain showers left parts of the track underwater several hours after the start, Porsche Team Manthey initiated the perfect pit stop strategy which put the 470 hp, flat-six, rear-engined Porsche 911 RSR in positions one-two in class.

However, the winning car from last year, based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car and double winner of the Sports Car World Championship WEC season-opener, was unable to defend these positions over the rest of the marathon. In addition, during the night a fuel pressure problem cropped up with the 911 RSR driven by works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Pilet (France) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) which required an extra pit stop and finally threw the trio back to seventh place after their strong performance.

Their factory colleagues in the no. 92 Porsche 911 RSR continued on their podium course. With three hours to the flag, they had moved up the order to lie in second place before losing a position in the dramatic final phase. The podium result was a well-deserved reward for a strong performance under difficult conditions.

Klaus Bachler celebrated a strong GTE-Am class result. Sharing the cockpit of the Proton Competition customer team 911 RSR with team-mates Christian Ried (Germany) and Khaled Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi), the Porsche Junior driver saw the flag at his Le Mans debut in second place. In the 911 RSR campaigned by Dempsey Racing Proton, Porsche factory driver Patrick Long and his American compatriots Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster delivered consistently fast lap times to finally finish in fifth place.

Comments after the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport: “Although it was enough for a podium spot, this year’s Le Mans was a little disappointing. Minor technical problems cropped up in both our 911 RSR, but as a total they were decisive. The crew and the drivers have done an excellent job and brought the cars safely home. I praise them for this. Congratulations as well to the Proton Competition squad for second place in the GTE-Am class. Given the performance rating, there was no better result possible for us.”

Olaf Manthey, Team Principal Porsche Team Manthey: “We tackled the race with other expectations, but small technical gremlins can always turn up all the time. That’s nothing new for me. I’ve been doing this for 40 years. Both cars reached the finish line and third place is good. You win some, you lose some. You just have to make it through.”

Marco Holzer (911 RSR no. 92): “It was a long and demanding race. We faced all weather conditions you could possibly imagine. At times it was dry, then it poured with rain, half the track was wet and half dry. The car ran like clockwork until we had to pit unexpectedly shortly before the finish. That cost us second place. But the team did a great job and we earned vital points for the WEC.”

Frédéric Makowiecki (911 RSR no. 92): “Thank you to my pit crew. They were very fast and didn’t make one mistake. We constantly tried to push to the max and get everything we could out of the car. I regard this podium spot as a basis for even better results in the second half of the season.”

Richard Lietz (911 RSR no. 92): “After scoring first and second last year we were all expecting more. But some of our rivals were bluffing at tests and only displayed their actual race speed here. We tried to keep up and my team-mates really went flat out. The podium spot is the just reward for this. I’m certain we’ll return next year even stronger.”

Joerg Bergmeister (911 RSR no. 91): “That’s unfortunately not the result we wanted and were hoping for. We experienced a problem that relegated us back down the order. Other than that the car ran well. A podium result would definitely have been possible. Unfortunately, of all places we had this bad luck was here where double points are awarded.”

Patrick Pilet (911 RSR no. 91): “Our car was perfectly prepared for the race, but we experienced a problem during the night. Okay, we solved it but it cost us a lot of time. For this reason we couldn’t do a thing about the outcome of the race. But still, we can be proud of our team and Porsche. Now we have to concentrate on the rest of the season.”

Nick Tandy (911 RSR no. 91): “It wasn’t the best race, but with the exception of this one problem the car ran very well. The entire crew did a fantastic job. If the second twelve hours had run as well as the first, we would have achieved a fabulous result.”

Klaus Bachler (911 RSR no. 88): “Second place is awesome. A dream has come true for me. We did everything right, kept out of trouble at the start, only refuelled and changed the tyres. That’s how we got ahead. Now we’re all over the moon.”

Christian Ried (911 RSR no. 88): “The race was good, technically everything went smoothly. The car was great and so were the tyres – it simply all worked well. I’m really happy that we scored a podium spot.”

Patrick Long (911 RSR no. 77): “We certainly could have done more this year. Still, I’m satisfied with our performance as a team. Our car didn’t have the slightest technical problem and Patrick improved constantly and posted super times. Not everyone can climb the podium at Le Mans. If it was that easy, then everyone would have a Le Mans trophy at home.”

Patrick Dempsey (911 RSR no. 77): “I drove really well, didn’t make any mistakes and my pace improved constantly. We all did a great job against such tough competition and I’m happy with the result and the team’s great performance. I’ll definitely be back at Le Mans next year.”

Race result – GTE-Pro class
1. Bruni/Vilander/Fisichella (I/SF/I), Ferrari 458 Italia, 339 laps
2. Magnussen/Garcia/Taylor (DK/E/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 338
3. Holzer/Makowiecki/Lietz (D/F/A), Porsche 911 RSR, 337
4. Gavin/Milner/Westbrook (GB/USA/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 333
5. Bleekemolen/MacNeil (NL/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 319
6. Turner/Mücke/Senna (GB/D/BRA), Aston Martin Vantage, 310
7. Bergmeister/Pilet/Tandy (D/F/GB), Porsche 911 RSR, 309

Race result – GTE-Am class
1. Poulsen/Heinemeier-Hansson/Thiim (DK/DK/DK), Aston Martin, 334 laps
2. Ried/Bachler/Al Qubaisi (D/A/UAE), Porsche 911 RSR, 332
3. Perez-Companc/Cioci/Venturi (RA/I/I), Ferrari 458 Italia, 331
4. Montecalvo/Roda/Ruberti (I/I/I), Ferrari 458 Italia, 330
5. Dempsey/Foster/Long (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 RSR, 329
6. Dalla Lana/Lamy/Nygaard (CAN/P/DK), Aston Martin Vantage, 329

Round four of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship (WEC) takes place on 20 September in Austin, Texas, USA.

PICK OF THE DAY: Nicely Restored Porsche 912

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As it did when it was introduced in 1965, the 912 offers much of the same joys of owning a classic Porsche at prices that are still attainable. With their iconic looks, nimble handling and go-the-distance fuel economy, the Porsche 912 is a Cinderella story in the making. The 912 presented here has had a ground-up restoration. Beginning with an original 55,000-mile car, everything but the clock rebuilt or replaced with NOS. It is said to be numbers matching with its original 2.0-litre motor professionally rebuilt, as was the transaxle. It wears what appears to be an excellent bare-metal repaint in its original Polo Red. Interior looks very tidy and has its original radio with new (expensive) door cards, headliner, carpeting and more. As short-wheelbase 911 prices soar out of reach, a 912 for under $40,000 is especially attractive. Find it here on Craigslist in Iron Station NC for a bargain $38,000.

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PICK OF THE DAY: Solid Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupé

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In the collector car world, there a few cars as consistently infallible as a Porsche 356, both in terms of their mechanical dependability and their investment reliability. Perhaps the purest among these, the ones that originated in Ferry Porsche’s head, are the pre-A models that were built between its rollout in 1951 and 1956, when the more “modern” 356A was introduced. With all air-cooled Porsches experiencing stratospheric appreciation, the few good examples left will soon be out of reach for all but the Seinfelds and other blue-chip collectors. Today’s example comes from 1954 and while it’s strayed from the original in just about every aspect—color, interior, wheels and motor—it wouldn’t be prohibitive to return the car to its as-born state. With original paint and interior there to match and the location of its original motor known, it would be a relatively easy finish to what is a very good foundation. Otherwise, the car could be kept as is for what appears to be an excellent driver. There are some minor rust issues, but nothing that needs immediate attention. The same goes for the interior blemishes. That it has its original Telefunken radio is a big bonus, regardless of whether it works or not. With not much investment, this could easily be a six-figure car. At the same time, its $85,000 asking price may be a bit strong for its current state, but that could literally change tomorrow at the rate these are climbing. Find it here on The Samba in Edwards CO.

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ON THE BLOCK – What to Watch Bonhams Greenwhich Concours d’Elegance Sale

Lot 310 – 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Without Reserve. Estimate: $25,000-30,000   moto+match estimate: $25,000

58 Alfa Spider

With the introduction of the 1300cc Giulietta in 1954, Alfa Romeo established the ‘small car, big performance’ formula that would characterize its finest offerings from that point on. The Giulietta’s arrival caused a sensation; demand quickly outstripped supply, causing Alfa Romeo to rethink its production strategy and become a high volume manufacturer. The original Bertone-designed Giulietta Sprint Coupe of 1954 was soon joined by a more practical Berlina Sedan and a charming Spider, the latter sporting elegant coachwork designed and built by Pinin Farina.

According to factory records from Alfa Romeo’s Centro Documentazione, this Giulietta was completed at the Milianese Alfa Romeo plant on July 21, 1958. The new left hand drive Spider was finished in a sporting red color, configured as left hand drive, and destined for the United States, where legendary importer Max Hoffman Motorcar Company later took delivery the following month.  The new Spider was sold to a Mr. Hillman, residing in Florida and Illinois, and records show service and maintenance work performed while in Hillman’s ownership. Hillman would keep the Giulietta until 1961, when he traded it in with circa 15,000 miles, at the Fancl-Bogan Chevrolet dealership in Oak Park, Illinois. In July of 1961, the Alfa Romeo was purchased by Mr. John A. Clark, a chemical engineer from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Clark used the little Red Spider over the next decade, before taking it off the road in 1976, with just 52,239 miles recorded. It remained in storage until Mr. Clark’s passing in the late 2000s, when purchased by the consignor. Accompanied by an abundance of receipts, records and the factory tool kit, this barn find Guilietta is an incredible original and complete example. The perfect candidate for a restoration, this low mileage Alfa Romeo still retains most of the factory finishes, as well as the rare Motorola radio surely mounted when new at Hoffman’s. This Giulietta has been spared from mediocre restorations or modifications over the years, and really deserves to be put back on the road.

 

Lot 317 – 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Without Reserve. Estimate: $25,000-30,000   moto+match estimate: $35,000

88 Jeep Wagoneer

Luxury SUVs are nothing new, but when the Jeep Wagoneer came out in 1963, it was something genuinely different. Combining the rugged attributes of a truck with the luxury of a sedan made for a unique, segment breaking vehicle. So successful was the model that it survived until 1991. In nearly three decades of production, the Jeep’s architecture changed little. Sporting a body-on-frame design with solid axles and leaf springs all around, it was a classic example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Power was delivered to all four wheels via a viscous coupling center differentials allowing rear-wheel drive only operation for a bit of added fuel economy, if you consider 13 miles to the gallon ‘economical’. Off road the Jeep was capable of going toe-to-toe with a new Range Rover and on road its handling proved adequate, if a bit primitive given its somewhat hoary underpinnings. In a July 1988 comparison test against a Range Rover, Car and Driver waxed about the Grand Wagoneer’s, “leather upholstery trim and, both inside and out, lots of chrome and fake wood” not to mention copious power features. While performance didn’t exactly light the heather afire, taking 13 seconds to get to 60mph, the Range Rover took even longer to do the duty and still cost a third more.

This three-owner from new Grand Wagoneer was delivered new to an elderly couple in Northern California in June of 1988. From the final iteration of the Wagoneer, it benefited from all of the upgrades that would be bestowed upon the model making it the most comfortable and desirable version available then and now. Sparingly used by its first owners, it was sold to another older couple in 1999 before coming to the collection of the current vendor a year ago. Showing only a bit over 68,000 original miles, it is completely original. A luck recipient of two and a half decades of dry California climates, meticulous maintenance and minimal use has kept this white over burgundy Jeep looking extra fresh. The obvious decedent of the great woodies of yore, this Jeep is ready to continue its tradition of shuttling the family from the wilds of Westchester to the beaches of Southampton in comfort and style!

 

Lot 378 – 1959 Fiat-Abarth 750 Record Monza Bialbero Coupé by Zagato
Estimate: $175,000-250,000  moto+match estimate: $250,000

59 Fiat Abarth

An innovative concern with a sporting pedigree second to none, Abarth branched out from producing induction and exhaust systems into selling performance kits for – mainly FIAT – production cars, later building a succession of aerodynamically stylish sports prototypes and limited-series production cars. One of Carlo Abarth’s most successful series of GT cars was based on the FIAT 600, the first of these handsome little Zagato-bodied coupés – the 750 – appearing in 1956. The 600 chassis was used with scant modification apart from changing spring rates and up-rating the front brakes to twin-leading-shoe operation, yet despite this apparent handicap coped remarkably well with the Abarth’s greatly increased performance. The next stage of development saw the 750 equipped with a double-overhead-camshaft engine designed by Gioacchio Columbo, designer of the first Ferrari V12s that helped liberate 47 51bhp from the tiny engine, these models thus equipped being dubbed ‘Bialbero’ (Twin-cam). Abarth’s diminutive coupés were soon dominating the small-capacity classes in international GT racing. Indeed, in North American SCCA events the 1.0-litre Abarth was obliged to compete against rivals displacing up to 3.8 litres and still proved capable of winning!

The current owner acquired 550486 in the early 1980s and in doing so began a labor of love in terms of restoration and research. His extensive work has enabled him to make deductions about the early history of the car which are both fascinating and uncontested by other aficionados of the marque and model. At the time of its acquisition, the car was an engineless rolling chassis, but a number of clues to its importance were very clear to its knowledgeable buyer. Most notable was the required holes for fixing the fuel pressure regulator bracket – another Bialbero exclusive feature. So the car was clearly one of these rare brethren of Abarths.

The next base point for research was the discovery of a series of three drilled holes in the passenger side door which had long since been covered by filler and paint. These holes correlated perfectly to a door mounted racing number light which cars known to be in the USA and to have run at Sebring in 1959 carried by regulation to make their racing numerals visible at night. That narrowed the field to one of the four cars that had run at that event that year for Team Roosevelt.

Before one pauses to question a link to the President, the answer is ‘yes’, the Roosevelt Automobile Company was run by FDR Jr. They were East Coast Importers for Fiat and would continue this by developing a relationship to run Abarth race cars also. As ever in the course of racing the idea was to encourage the old adage of “race on Sunday, sell on Monday”, but Roosevelt Jr.’s thinking was a little further developed in that he believed “that Americans could sell a car better to Americans”. For the race team John Norwood was their manager and ace mechanic Jim McGee prepped their entries, the drivers represented a series of experienced stalwarts who could be trusted with the brand. Sebring ’59 was the debut race for this new team.

A period black and white image of the four cars sent ex-Zagato Works from Italy for the Sebring Event shows that two were finished in a dark color and two in a light color, of the two darker colored cars, one had a dark interior, the other a light interior, and the same for the lighter cars, thereby actually making each different in its livery. Differentiating them further, when they were run at Sebring they were still wearing Turin license plates, TO-712 and TO-487 adorned the two darker colored cars. These are actually understood to be ‘trade’ plates, suggesting that there can’t have been much time to spare between their leaving the works and being campaigned in Florida. On the basis of surviving period images of the two darker colored cars, which turns out to have been red in color period images, this car has been deduced by its owner to be the #62 car, which wore the Torino plate “TO-712”. Assuming this to be an accurate statement, car #62/TO-712 would contest between 10 and 13 races in the ’59 Season after Sebring, including Daytona, Bridgehampton, Road America, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix and the International Bahamas Speed Weeks at the end of that year, with respectable low double digit finishes overall.

By the end of 1960, 550486 is known to have been the property of J. William Denton, as he ran the car at the Savannah Race Track in November 1960, when its ‘Team Roosevelt’ marking had cleverly been given the prefix of ‘Ex’! The owner was able to trace J. W. Denton’s son, who produced a copy of Denton’s first title registration on acquisition of the car, it clearly denoting this identity and the engine number digits following the VIN. From his conversations with the younger Denton, he had recalled his father acquiring a number of Abarths from Team Roosevelt, but only one Bialbero and that proved to be his favorite apparently. Denton is known to have run the car at the Chimney Rock Hillclimb in 1961, and a series of other events. According to John de Boer’s well researched archive, the subsequent chain of ownership ran 1971-1974: Steve Doran; 1974-1976: Doug Huffman; 1976-7: Herbert H. Bailey of South Carolina; and then 1977-1984 – GTS Motorcars of Florida, before it was acquired by the present owner in 1984. All the while the research was continuing, and correct parts being accrued, the owner waited patiently before beginning its restoration. This began in earnest almost 20 years ago. Its structural repairs were carried out by the owner with sheet metal repairs to the aluminum bodywork by Tivvy’s Autocraft, this was then followed up with the paintwork at Alfa’s Unlimited. Automotive Restorations of Stratford, Connecticut trimmed original Zagato seat frames provided by the owner in a light tan vinyl and made new carpets in Wilton Wool, the finish of the cabin being slightly improved over the original having a Nardi wood rim steering wheel in place of the plastic one it would have worn new.

For the mechanical aspect, the owner was able to draw on his own stores of spares that had been accrued over many years, a number of the more significant pieces coming from Jeff Vogel, who in turn had bought them from Jim McGee’s shop in Watermill, Long Island, these included a spare long distance fuel tank, oversize Abarth Alfin front drum brakes, and new/old stock Bialbero racing exhaust – the motoring definition of ‘hen’s teeth’ quite literally.

Further searches had produced a period correct Bialbero engine motor, which itself created something of a conundrum. The engine was number 600319, which by Fiat records was the original fitted to 550486, yet a separate document sourced by the current owner shows that 600319 was fitted to car 544303 on March 25, 1959, when that car was listed on a statement of sale to Gene Williamson by Team Roosevelt – Williamson being the driver of car #65 at Sebring that year. As ever in the history of racing teams it seems likely that 600319 had migrated from its original mount very early on in its life, but today thanks to the perseverance of its current owner it is back with the Fiat-Abarth it apparently left the Works in. Naturally, since the intention of the owner was to race the car, this numbered block is actually stored and goes with the car, while it is currently running a ‘hot’ engine built around a separate 600 unit.

Post-restoration, 550486 has been campaigned with some regularity by its custodian, being run in VSCCA meetings from 1996 to 2000, at the Lime Rock Historic Races on numerous occasions and also displayed here at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance in 2000 and at the Lime Rock Sunday in the Park Concours last year, where it was rewarded with First in Class.

After three decades of research, restoration, ownership and use, during which it seems virtually every stone has been upended, the seller has made the difficult decision to part with the car and forward it to another enthusiast. While that elusive final jigsaw puzzle piece of paper that conclusively documents it as the #62 Sebring car from 1959 remains still yet to be found, it seems hard to question the current owner’s conclusion based on his research. Regardless of this ultimate detail, the car is a fastidiously accurately restored example of these ‘Giant-Killer’ Abarths, which certainly had an active period racing career and could today provide its next owner with an enjoyable vintage racing mount.

 

Lot 389- 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1
Bonhams Estimate: $170,000-190,000   moto+match estimate: $210,000

03 Aston Martin DB AR1

Aston Martin renewed its fruitful relationship with renowned Italian styling house of Zagato, most famously begun with the DB4GT Zagato of the 1960s, after a meeting between Elio Zagato’s son Andrea and Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2001. The result was a stylish coupé, based on the DB7 V12 Vantage supercar, recalling the sublime looks of the original DB4GT Zagato. So favorable was the DB7 Zagato’s reception that it was decided to produce an open car in similar vein: the DB AR1. Designed with the California weather in mind, and a Roadster in the proper tradition with no hood and space for just two people, the DB AR1 was previewed by a select group of potential customers to gauge reaction. The car was so well received on its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2002, that all 99 of the proposed limited edition were purchased. Powering the new open supercar was a developed version of Aston’s state-of-the-art, 6.0-liter V12 enjoying a boost in maximum power to 435bhp, some 20 horsepower more than the DB7 Vantage. This power increase together with more torque, a revised final drive ratio and ‘active’ sports exhaust system produce a noticeable improvement in mid-range performance, where it is most useful in everyday driving. An AP twin-plate racing clutch combined with a revised quick-shift gearlever for the six-speed manual transmission enable the driver to maximize use of the increase in power and torque and enjoy a faster gear-change. Acceleration can only be described as stunning, 60mph arriving in just 4.9 seconds, while its top speed of 185mph makes the DB AR1 the world’s fastest true roadster. Above all, the DB AR1 was designed to be a true ‘driver’s car’, equally at home on the autobahn or challenging back road. This is a car that beckons you to look for places to go. Restraining this superlative high performance are equally exalted brakes: Brembo racing-style grooved discs – 335mm at the front, 330mm at the rear – gripped by alloy four-pot calipers assisted by an improved brake booster unit and moderated by Teves ABS. Power is transmitted to the road via a limited-slip differential to special multi-spoke 19″ alloy wheels (8″/9.5″ f/r) incorporating revised offset to give a wider track, shod with low profile Yokohama tiresThe interior boasts electrically controlled sports seats, six-speaker Becker stereo radio cassette system with 6-CD changer, alarm and immobilizer with remote central locking and trunk release. There is electronic traction control and power-assisted rack and pinion steering.

This fantastic, low mileage AR1 Roadster has lived a charmed life. Purchased by its first owner from Aston Martin of Beverley Hills on December 4th, 2004 with 140 miles on the clock, it carried an original sticker price of over $250,000. Finished in Bowland Black over Light Tan hides, it enjoyed the California sun in the care of its original owner until the summer of 2010 when the current vendor acquired the roadster, the 26th of 99 DB AR1s constructed. Having covered less than 3,800 miles since leaving Newport Pagnell, it has received continuous, careful maintenance and shows well today. Replete with its original Monroney sticker, books, umbrellas, and car cover, this barely used, coachbuilt roadster is now ready to move onto to its third lucky owner.

 

Lot 403 – 1970 Porsche 911E Targa
Without reserve. Bonhams Estimate: $8,000-12,000   moto+match estimate: $20,000

70 porsche 911E

This silver Targa, with black leather interior, was originally acquired on May 4, 1970 by Irving Rose of Northbrook, Illinois in Stuttgart, Germany through the Tourist Delivery Program. Rose traded the car through Bryntesen Porsche-Audi Inc. of Hinsdale, Illinois with registration receipts showing Bryntesen selling it to Michael Burns in February 1978. The next keeper of the Porsche was Raymond Paulis followed by David Thompson, although Thompson’s date of acquisition is unknown. Purchased by the vendor in the summer of 2004 with the intention of restoring it; it instead has sat in climate-controlled, dry storage since 2004 with little progress made. The original MSO and other paperwork are available with the car together with the owner’s manual plus sleeve and Blaupunkt radio service manual. Substantially complete, unmodified from original specification, and with only minor damage to the passenger door, this 911E is a wonderful base for restoration. The chassis appears to be remarkably straight and intact, showing penetrating rust in only a few places like the driver’s side battery box, and the engine is free but not currently running. The car was easily pushed out of storage once one front brake caliper was released. The interior is largely complete but dirty and worn. With early Porsche 911 continuing their upward trend, this rare 911E Targa is an excellent opportunity to acquire a lovely, documented car that will provide many happy miles following a thorough restoration.

ON THE BLOCK: Ferrari Dinos, Porsches Continue to Dazzle at Silverstone Sale

270514-silverstone-a

Two very special Ferrari Dinos wowed the bidders at Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale, helping achieve a sales rate of 71 percent and a total sales value of over £1.7million, continuing the run of strong results from the auction house already achieved this year.

Just weeks after the highly successful inaugural Restoration Show Sale, a barn find 1973 Ferrari Dino sold to rapturous applause, for an astonishing premium inclusive total of £132,250. In polar opposite condition, a recently restored 1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino, that was the show car at the 1971 Earls Court Motor Show, was successfully hammered away for a premium inclusive total of £250,700, more than £70,000 over its lower estimate.

However, it wasn’t just Ferraris that proved popular with the crowds at the sale, which took place at the Wing, Silverstone.

Proving that Porsche prices are continuing to rise, a 1973 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa sold for a premium inclusive £105,800, more than £20,000 over its upper estimate. A 1989 Porsche 911 930 Turbo, with just over 24,000 miles on the clock, sold similarly well, achieving a total of £92,000, nearly £40,000 over its lower estimate.

Speaking after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “These are another fantastic set of results for us and I hope our vendors are as delighted as we are. The team brought together a very exciting catalogue with many of the cars on offer impossible to ignore.”

Setting a believed new British auction record, a 1963 Fiat 500D Convertible was sold in a frenzied bidding battle for £20,930. From the world of Hollywood came a 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster, formerly owned by Gerard Butler, which sold for £60,375 and an unregistered 1990 BMW Z1, with only 197km on the clock, sold for £54,050.

Nick added: “We now look forward to our flagship sale of the year at the Silverstone Classic in July as well as our new sale at Salon Privé in September which are sure to attract some fantastic entries, so I would encourage those looking to sell their classic car to get in touch with us soon.”

For the full list of results from Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale or to find out more about submitting an entry in its upcoming sales, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

ON THE BLOCK: Original Gems Shine at Lucky Spring Classic 2014

 

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A black-plate 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 stored in Washington since 1978,  a 1964 Facel Vega Facel III stored in Northern California since 1974, and an original Fiat Tippolino Garden Car will be sold to settle estates at no reserve at the Lucky Collector Car Auction this weekend. The sale will be held on the grounds of the LeMay Family Foundation’s Marymount Campus in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, May 31 2014.

In addition to the anticipated Euro and American sports cars, there are dozens more collector and low-mileage driver-quality vehicles, as well as barn finds and classics offered at no reserve. Other highlights include early Corvettes, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, muscle cars, and vintage trucks. The event is expected to include 120 cars, 30 motorcycles, mahogany boats, and memorabilia.

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IN THE NEWS: Porsche Factory Team, 919 Hybrid Get More Experience at Spa

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The six-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps on 3 May is only the second event for the new Porsche Team with the highly complex Porsche 919 Hybrid. But, at the same time, it is the last race before the season’s highlight at Le Mans on 14 – 15 June.

The challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Belgian Ardennes has several things in common with the Circuit de 24 Heures in Le Mans: a relatively long lap (7.004 kilometres) and impressive full throttle sections. However, the differences in elevation are significantly bigger than in Le Mans. Long uphill sections require the utmost power from the efficient hybrid cars. Every race driver has respect for the daunting Eau Rouge corner. When braking for the chicane after the high speed Blanchimont section, the G forces press the drivers back in their seats. Furthermore, to talk about the weather in Spa often means touching on a serious topic.

According to the new regulations of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Porsche 919 Hybrid drive systems are allowed to produce (recuperate) 4.78 Mega-Joules of electrical energy per lap in Spa, store it and use it to power the electrical engine on the front axle; 4.78 Mega-Joules correlate to 1.33 kilowatt hours (kWh), which is the common unit of measurement for normal household electricity consumption. Calculating that the six-hour race will be run over 170 laps, each of the Porsche 919 Hybrid cars can produce 226.1 kWh. This is almost the amount of electrical energy a standard household in Germany uses during an entire month in summer. This gives a compelling indication of the new technology’s huge potential for future hybrid driven road cars.

The Spa 6 Hours will be green flagged on Saturday, 3 May, at 14:30 CET and finishes at 20:30 CET. The final two hours of the race will be shown live on television by Eurosport, as well as earlier highlights.

At the World Championship opening round in Silverstone the trio of drivers in car no. 20, Timo Bernhard (Germany), Brendon Hartley (New Zealand) and Mark Webber (Australia), finished third. The no. 14 sister car of Romain Dumas (France), Neel Jani (Switzerland) and Marc Lieb (Germany) failed to score points because of drivetrain problems.

Fritz Enzinger, Vice President LMP1: “We can build on our Silverstone performance. Even with difficult weather conditions, the new Porsche Team has managed to have a very solid debut. Our drivers were outstanding, and in the pits we made the right calls. But we have to keep our feet on the ground, as there are countless more situations ahead during which we will find ourselves first timers. The second Championship round is the dress rehearsal for Le Mans. Our main target for Spa is clearly to finish the race with both Porsche 919 Hybrids.”

Timo Bernhard (#20): “Spa is going to be nice. It is a great track, a drivers’ circuit and it has a long sports car tradition. I expect lots of fans there. Not only from Belgium, as it is also easy to get there for the Germans, the Brits, the French and the Dutch. For me, it’s only 200 kilometres from home, which means my family will come along. The podium finish in Silverstone gave us an extra momentum to learn even quicker. Plus it gave us Championship points. It’s a long time since I have raced for points, as in 2011 we didn’t have a drivers’ Championship, so only Manufacturers could score.”

Brendon Hartley (#20): “I think every driver loves Spa and I do as well. It is one of the best tracks in the world. I have driven all sorts of cars there. In 2012 I made my debut in endurance racing there and finished on the podium. Spa should suit our car more than the Silverstone circuit did. The straights are not quite as long as in Le Mans, but we will see very impressive speeds there. The famous Eau Rouge corner requires a lot of respect and we will see whether we can take it at full throttle or not.“

Mark Webber (#20): “We were all so excited and keen to get the first race out of the way and pull off a clean weekend with qualifying and the race, which went better than we expected. So now going to Spa shortly after the first race is good for us to try and continue the momentum. The dialogue in the team between all the drivers, the engineers and the Porsche Motorsport HQ in Weissach has been phenomenal when looking for areas where we can keep improving, which is a no-brainer as we’ve only done one race. There is a bit of excitement in the camp, but we have our feet on the ground. We haven’t had two cars finish yet, so we’d like to do that and get both the no. 14 and no. 20 home.”

Statistics after 1 of 8 World Championship rounds:

#14 Romain Dumas/Neel Jani/Marc Lieb
Championship points: –
Championship position: –
Qualifying Silverstone: 3rd
Race Silverstone: DNF

#20 Timo Bernhard/Brendon Hartley/Mark Webber
Championship points: 15
Championship position: 3rd
Qualifying Silverstone: 6th
Race Silverstone: 3rd

Porsche Team
Championship points: 15
Championship position: 2nd

The Porsche 919 Hybrid
With two different energy recovery systems the Porsche 919 Hybrid is the most complex race car the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer has ever built, and serves as the fastest mobile research laboratory for future road cars. The lightweight prototype is trimmed for extreme performance and efficiency. Besides the kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) under braking, the 919 Hybrid recuperates thermal exhaust energy (MGU-H) when accelerating. The combination of these two systems means a step into unknown territory for Porsche and a unique feature in the entire WEC. When the driver recalls the stored energy from the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery packs, an electric motor drives the two front wheels. This power adds to the combustion engine (downsizing 2.0 litres V4-cylinder, turbocharged with direct injection) and this way the two systems result in temporary all-wheel drive.

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