For sale: Rare John Fitzpatrick Racing Porsche 956B
History and photos via Maxted Page / By Marcel Hundscheid of Speed-O-Graphica
This remarkable Porsche 956B finished third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1984, having led the race. It’s up for sale at Maxted-Page.
Appearing in 1984 in the World Sportscar Championship, the Porsche 956B was the ultimate development of Porsche’s 956 from 1983. The 956B used a modified suspension as well as a one-piece under-body. Besides these, Porsche also used a Bosch Motronic fully electronic ignition and injection system to provide better fuel consumption.
The John Fitzpatrick Racing / SKOAL Bandit 956B featured here is one of four cars built by Porsche, and one of only three cars surviving. Chassis 956-114 was delivered to John Fitzpatrick Racing on the 16th of April 1984. Just one week later the car debuted in the Monza 1000 kms, driven by David Hobbs and Thierry Boutsen.
Fitzpatrick also entered the car at Le Mans that year, with Hobbs teaming up with Philippe Streif and Sarel van der Merwe. Despite technical issues Hobbs managed to qualify 956-114 in sixth place.
During the race Hobbs grabbed the lead, however engine problems during the early morning left the car running on just five cylinders. Despite the handicap, Hobbs, Streif and van der Merwe finished in third place. In 1985 the car finished in fourth place and during the its final appearance at Le Mans in 1986 it scored another fourth place.
In 2018 Chassis 956-114 was handed over to Trevor Crisp of Katana for a sympathetic rebuild and restoration, focusing on preservation of the car’s history and patina rather than a better-than-new restoration. The car’s original 2.65-litre engine (125) was located and returned to the car, rebuilt by X-TEC Engineering and mated to a gearbox rebuilt by Katana.
The car is now presented in its 1984 Monza 1000km bodywork and livery. Well documented and preserved, the car is fitted with its original motor and is considered one of the finest 956s existent. It’s available for sale at Maxted-Page in the United Kingdom. More details about this stunning car can be found at the official Maxted Page website.
History and photos via Maxted Page
