Works 1968 Porsche 908 ‘Short-Tail’ Coupe Heads to Auction
Images by Robin Adams ©2018 courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
This gorgeous works 1968 Porsche 908 ‘Short-Tail’ Coupe ran in the 1968 Spa 1000 Kilometres, where it was driven by sportscar legend Vic Elford. It will head to auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale later in August.
The car, chassis 908-010, was one of two 908s that Porsche entered in the Prototype 3000 class of the 1968 1000 Kilometers of Spa. Vic Elford and Jochen Neerpasch had the honour of driving it, with Elford handling qualifying and putting the car on the second row of the grid.
by Robin Adams ©2018 courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Elford took the first stint, handing the car to Neerpasch at the mid point of the race. The race was heavily affected by rain, and the combination of slick surface and near-zero visibility made for treacherous conditions. Neerpasch fell victim to these as he was finding his feet at the beginning of his stint, having a lose that saw him connect with a telegraph pole. He was knocked unconscious, but was otherwise OK. The same could not be said for 908-010.
Having suffered some significant damage, the car was sent back to Porsche, disassembled and put into storage. The body and chassis were later sold, and so the car remained for some years.
by Robin Adams ©2018 courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Many decades later, upon the request of racer and collector Bill Ferran, Porsche specialist Dale Miller tracked down and purchased 908-010. The still-damaged body, chassis and remaining constituent parts were sent to John Corson, who undertook a restoration process that began just before the turn of the millennium.
Corson tracked down additional parts, including a factory-original motor and 908 five-speed transaxle, performing restoration and repair as necessary. The car was repainted in its factory white finish just in time for the 2004 Rennsport Reunion at Daytona, where it finally returned to the track.
908-010 was sold to Cameron Healy in 2006. Healy took it across to the West Coast, running it regularly in historic motorsport and clearly deriving a lot of joy from using the car as well as ensuring that it was out in the world where it could be enjoyed by fellow enthusiasts.
The 908 has been diligently maintained, with the factory engine given some love in 2016 and not raced since. It has a valid FIA HTP and has been accepted for Rennsport VI at Laguna Seca in September, which is about the best introduction you could possibly have to a Porsche race car and the marque’s incredible history and community.
by Robin Adams ©2018 courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Rare, well-sorted, stunning and boasting an interesting history as a Porsche works car at the hands of legendary team drivers, this is a truly magic motorcar. It will head to auction at RM Sotheby’s’ Monterey sale and be offered for sale on Friday, August 24, 2018. It’s expected to fetch between US$2,300,000 and $2,800,000.
RM Sotheby’s’ Monterey sale will be held in the Monterey Conference Center over the 24th & 25th of August, 2018 and coincide with the iconic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. For further details click here.
Images by Robin Adams ©2018 courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. History via RM Sotheby’s.
