Have we really gone from a society that expresses itself through every color of the rainbow to one that only cherishes black, silver, white or red in only 36 years?
Soon enough we’ll be back to Henry Ford’s Model T color availability.
Category: Porsche
Wow. Talk about a varied list of competitors.
I must admit that I’ve frequently lumped hillclimbs in with autocrosses in terms of holding my attention. On both counts, I do recognize it as “real” racing. I respect the effort required to race not only your competitors, but yourself. I appreciate the concentration and skill it takes to get through that course as quickly as possible.
Somehow, though, it always lacked the thrill of wheel-to-wheel racing for me.
I think I may have to seriously reconsider that. After all, when have you seen a more varied and interesting field than the one represented in just these few photos from the 1974 Carrera en el Cuesta al Montseny?
The Spanish hillclimb, part of the European Mountain Championship, has quite a history. Although I must admit it was this magnificent poster image that caught my eye initially, in looking around a bit for more information on this event in particular and the Montseny Hillclimb in general, I am enthralled by what an event it must have been. Today, relatively few hillclimbs garner any international attention (Hell, even local attention). That is a great shame. I have to think the spectating is no less thrilling than the WRC. And just look at the variety of machinery you’ll encounter. From just this event I see Homologation Specials, Touring Cars, Small-Bore Grand Tourers, and Open Wheel cars. ¡Magnifico!
Eugenio Baturone’s Brabham
In 1974, Jimmy Mieusset won the day in a March 742 with a time of 8’56″97, with Yves Martin’s McLaren F2 following with a time 13 seconds longer.
More photos and race results from the 1974 Montseny Hillclimb at what has to the authoritative source: Magic Montseny
Check the results of the three toughest races in the world. You’ll learn a lot about Porsche.
1. Sebring, 1966. In a race so rugged that only 30 of the 64 starters finished, Porsche’s Carrera 6 was 1st in its class in this 12-hour classic and 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th overall against far bigger cars.
2. Targa Florio, 1966. Porsche’s Carrera 6 took 1st, 3rd and 5th overall in “the world’s most punishing race.” Only 13 of 70 starters completed this race through winding Sicilian mountain roads.
3. Le Mans, 1966. Porsche’s Carrera 6 surpassed every car in its class; finished 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th overall, beating many cars with engines three times as large.
We enter races like these not for publicity but to prove out the advanced engineering that makes the Porsche you drive one of the best-handling cars ever built for everyday use. Porsche spent years developing a great competition car so you could have fun driving it to work.
Three versions for gran turismo connoisseurs; Porsche 912 with 4-cylinder, 102-hp engine, about $4790. Porsche 911 with new 6-cylinder, 148-hp engine, 4- or 5-speed gearbox, about $5990. Porsche 911S with 5-speed gearbox and Carrera 6-inspired 180-hp engine, about $6990. All prices East Coast POE. For name of dealer, brochure or overseas delivery data, write Porsche of America Corporation, 107 Tryon Avenue West, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666, Dept. 101.
I’m always up for another spin around the Circuit de la Sarthe. Let’s ride shotgun with Martini’s Jurgen Barth in a Porsche 936 for the ’77 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Categories
Machine Shop on the Go
We’ve seen pictures before of the VW Transporter that accompanied the Porsche team to everything from the Mille Miglia to (as seen in this photo) the ’77 press launch of the 928. This is the first time I’ve seen a photo with the door opened. It looks like they could do more than haul spares with that thing.
I swear I don’t post every video Porsche puts out.
Oh, and with Derek Bell driving.
Eifelrennen 2008 had a pretty impressive lineup of early Porsche racers. I see a 550, an RSK, an RS60, an Abarth-Carrera. I could just listen to that 4-cam for hours.
Ok, that’s all well and good, but let’s get on the track. Alright, let’s ride shotgun with Gerrit Kobus in a 550.
Sure, you could use an engine stand next time you’re wrenching on your 4-cam Porsche engine… Or you could be a man about it and just drop it out of your 550 Spyder RS60, pop off the valve cover, and throw it over on its side.