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Powered By Porsche: The Alternative Race Cars That Defined an Era

Edward Bell

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Powered by Porsche the alternative race cars

by Tom Cross

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	51751 KB
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Print length	:	1067 pages

When the Porsche 911 first emerged in the early 1960s, it was clear that Stuttgart's engineers had created a masterpiece. With its sleek lines, nimble handling, and potent flat-six engine, the 911 quickly became a legend on the road and track.

However, even as the 911 was establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with, Porsche was also hard at work developing a new generation of race cars that would push the boundaries of automotive performance even further.

These "alternative" race cars, as they were known, were designed to compete in a variety of different racing classes and events, from the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans to the winding Targa Florio.

And while they may not have been as well-known as the 911, these alternative race cars played a vital role in Porsche's success on the track.

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most iconic Porsche alternative race cars ever built, from the groundbreaking 908 to the legendary 917.

The Porsche 908

The Porsche 908 was developed in the mid-1960s as a replacement for the successful 904. It was a purpose-built race car designed to compete in the Prototype class at Le Mans and other endurance races.

The 908 featured a lightweight spaceframe chassis, a powerful flat-eight engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic body. It was immediately successful on the track, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.

The Porsche 908 Powered By Porsche The Alternative Race Cars

The Porsche 910

The Porsche 910 was a sports car developed in the late 1960s as a replacement for the 906. It was a lightweight, agile car designed to compete in the Group 4 GT class at Le Mans and other endurance races.

The 910 featured a lightweight spaceframe chassis, a powerful flat-six engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic body. It was a successful car on the track, winning the Targa Florio and Nürburgring 1000 km in 1967.

The Porsche 910 Powered By Porsche The Alternative Race Cars — The Porsche 910 was a successful Group 4 GT class race car that won the Targa Florio and Nürburgring 1000 km in 1967.

The Porsche 917

The Porsche 917 is perhaps the most iconic Porsche race car ever built. It was developed in the late 1960s to compete in the Can-Am series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 917 featured a massive flat-12 engine, a lightweight spaceframe chassis, and a sleek, aerodynamic body. It was an incredibly fast and powerful car, and it dominated the competition on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Porsche 917 Powered By Porsche The Alternative Race Cars

The Porsche 935

The Porsche 935 was developed in the late 1970s as a replacement for the 934. It was a turbocharged race car designed to compete in the Group 5 category at Le Mans and other endurance races.

The 935 featured a lightweight spaceframe chassis, a powerful flat-six engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic body. It was a very successful car on the track, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979 and 1981.

The Porsche 935 Powered By Porsche The Alternative Race Cars — The Porsche 935 was a successful Group 5 category race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979 and 1981.

The Porsche 956

The Porsche 956 was developed in the early 1980s as a replacement for the 936. It was a turbocharged race car designed to compete in the Group C category at Le Mans and other endurance races.

The 956 featured a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, a powerful flat-six engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic body. It was an incredibly successful car on the track, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985.

The Porsche 956 Powered By Porsche The Alternative Race Cars

The Porsche 962

The Porsche 962 was developed in the mid-1980s as a replacement for the 956. It was a turbocharged race car designed to compete in the Group C category at Le Mans and other endurance races.

The 962 featured a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, a powerful flat-six engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic body. It was an incredibly successful car on the track, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986, 1987, and 1988.

The Porsche 962 Powered By Porsche The Alternative Race Cars — The Porsche 962 was a successful Group C category race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in a row from 1986 to 1988.

Porsche's alternative race cars played a vital role in the company's success on the track. These cars were innovative, powerful, and successful, and they helped to establish Porsche as one of the world's leading manufacturers of racing cars.

In the book "Powered By Porsche: The Alternative Race Cars," author Mike Brandt takes a closer look at these iconic cars and the stories behind their development and success.

With stunning photography and in-depth research, "Powered By Porsche" is the definitive guide to Porsche's alternative race cars.

by Tom Cross

5 out of 5