Own A Piece Of Racing History: The Irreplaceable Porsche 935-001

The Significance of Chassis 935-001

The 935’s story begins with a major shake-up in the (Federation Internationale de l’Automobiles) F.I.A’s Group 5 regulations in the mid-1970s, which allowed for extensive modifications to production vehicles. These new rules encouraged manufacturers to develop a new generation of production-based race cars featuring aerodynamics and power levels never seen before. Porsche needed this golden opportunity to refine the turbocharged 911 and take on the world. Its iconic shape, characterized by a long, rounded nose and a massive rear wing, was designed to minimize air resistance and maximize downforce. The extended wheelbase, and forward-mounted cockpit improved stability and weight distribution. The most striking feature was its dramatic wide body rear-end, necessary to accommodate the massive tires required for optimal grip. This wider stance significantly improved stability at high speeds.

Chassis 935-001, internally designated R15, was born from this initiative. Built in late 1975, it made its debut at the Circuit Paul Ricard for testing. Initially, the 935 as lacked the signature slant nose hood and box flare fenders and it wasn’t until after the car began racing that it dawned on Porsche that the new rules did not specify a minimum headlight height. The 935 was a radical departure from the earlier Carrera Turbo 2.1, boasting a turbocharged flat-six engine that cranked out 590 horsepower, with bursts of up to 630 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual transaxle.

The real magic happened when 935-001 hit the racetrack. Its debut at the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen on July 10, 1976, was nothing short of spectacular. With drivers Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti behind the wheel, it qualified second and went on to dominate the race, setting the fastest lap and finishing first overall.

A couple of months later, the 935-001 raced at Dijon, in France, where it finished third overall, helping Porsche clinch the 1976 Group 5 World Championship for the Makes Cup. This was a groundbreaking moment, as it marked the first time a forced-induction car took home the championship. It’s incredible to think about how this car not only competed but thrived at the highest levels of international motorsport.

Racing Highlights

• 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, July 1976, Stommelen/Schurti, No. 4 (1st Overall)

• 6 Hours of Dijon, France, September 1976, Stommelen/Schurti, No. 3 (3rd Overall)

• IMSA Sears Point 100, California, July 1979, Haywood, No. 7 (3rd Overall)

• IMSA Portland 100, Oregon, August 1979, Haywood, No. 7 (2nd Overall)

• Trans Am Laguna Seca, October 1979, Haywood, No. 29 (4th Overall)

Restoration and Recognition

Fast forward to more recent times, and chassis 935-001 underwent a painstaking refurbishment from the ground up by Cavaglieri Restorations, with an engine rebuild by Ed Pink Racing Engines. Presented in its iconic 1976 Watkins Glen livery the car was awarded Best Race Car Restoration at the 2018 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which speaks volumes about the craftsmanship involved in bringing this beauty back to life.

What sets the 935-001 apart from its successors is its unique provenance. It’s the only complete ex-works 935 in private ownership, with its sister car, 935-002, safely residing in the Porsche Museum. The fact that only four previous owners (Vasek Polak, Kevin Jeannette, John Kotts, and Matthew Drendel) have had the privilege of caring for this masterpiece adds to its appeal. Each owner has been a respected figure in the Porsche community, ensuring that its legacy continues to shine.

A chance to own a slice of Porsche Motorsports royalty

The 935 series went on to inspire approximately 37 customer cars produced between 1977 and 1979, and these machines continued to dominate the racing scene for nearly a decade, achieving outright victories at iconic events like Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring. Even today, the Porsche 935 is celebrated as a legendary figure in motorsport history.

If you look at prices in the aftermarket, according to Classic.com you’re looking at an average of $1.7 million in the aftermarket. The 935 also served as the inspiration for several street and non-street legal builds by third-party tuners such as Kremer and DP Motorsports. Porsche themselves reimagined the ’70s icon, based on the 991.2 in 2018. This is a car that I’m particularly fond of for its design, as it looks very distinctive for a modern-day Porsche taking inspiration from the famed 935/78 Moby Dick with its iconic whale tail.Porsche only built 77 examples.

As I think about the upcoming auction on the 935-001, given that this particular car was the very first 93 conceived and its historical significance in Porsche motorsports, its steep asking price may be justified.