1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6

Background

Ferdinand Piëch, a grandson of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, joined Porsche in 1963, determined to elevate his family’s firm to prominence on the international racing scene. When substantial changes to the FIA regulations for 1966 created additional opportunities for Porsche, Piëch and Helmuth Bott set out to build an entirely new kind of sports racing car. The result was the spectacular Type 906, or Carrera 6 – the first true prototype Porsche.

Utilizing a steel-tube space frame chassis and extensive lightweight alloy materials, the new 906 was a real featherweight, tipping the scales at 1,360 pounds and standing just 38.6″ from road to roof. Unlike its predecessor, the 904, the Carrera 6’s fiberglass bodywork was developed in the wind tunnel, resulting in a slippery .35 drag coefficient and space-age styling, with exotic features like gullwing doors, side-pod fuel tanks, and an aerodynamic Kamm tail.

At the heart of the Carrera 6 was a twin-plug, two-liter 901/20 engine, derived from the production 911, but cast in magnesium and fed by twin Weber 46 IDA carburetors. Producing about 210 bhp at 8,000 rpm, the 906’s engine was significantly more powerful and much easier to maintain than its predecessor’s complex, outdated, four-cam four.

The Carrera 6 was an immediate success in motorsports, debuting with a class win at the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona. From there, 906s went on to capture class wins at Sebring and Monza, followed by an outright victory at the Targa Florio. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 906s placed 4-5-6-7 behind three 7-liter GT40 Mk IIs, outlasting all other prototype entries from Ferrari, Chaparral, and Matra.

In total, Porsche built approximately 65 examples of the Carrera 6 between 1966 and 1967. Primarily run by a variety of privateer teams, 906s remained competitive at the highest levels of international racing into the early 1970s, a testament to their strength and versatility.

The first of a new generation, the 906, redefined the concept of a modern Porsche racing car. Its influence would be felt for years, setting the stage for the all-conquering 917 program.

Car Highlights

The Last of Porsche’s Road-Going Prototype Racing Cars
Successfully Campaigned in West Coast Events from 1966–1973
Presented in Period-Correct Livery as Campaigned by Monte Shelton
Well-documented provenance Includes Chuck Stoddard and Fabrizio Violati
Featured in Definitive Books on the Model; Profiled in Excellence, The Magazine About Porsche
Eligible for Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, and Rennsport Reunion

Technical Specs

1,991 CC SOHC Air-Cooled Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin Weber 46 IDA Carburetors
Estimated 210 BHP at 6,600 RPM
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes
4-Wheel Fully Independent-Wishbone Suspension with Coil Springs and Telescopic Shock Absorbers

Racing Highlights

Rose Cup Portland, June 1966, Wright, No. 356 (DNF)
USRRC Kent, July 1966, Fisher, No. 2 (8th Overall, 3rd in Class
USRRC Road America 500, September 1966, Fisher/Lovely (7th Overall, 3rd in Class)
Northwest Grand Prix at Kent, October 1966, Fisher (10th Overall)
Portland International Raceway, October 1966, Fisher (DNF)
Westwood Pacific, September 1967, Shelton (1st Overall)
CASC National Westwood, October 1967, Shelton (4th Overall)
SCCA Regional Kent, October 1967, Shelton, No. 57
Laguna Seca Ken Miles Memorial Race, October 1967, Shelton, No. 57 (10th Overall)
Riverside Pennzoil 100, October 1967, Shelton, No. 57 (3rd Overall)
Westwood Pacific, June 1968, Shelton (3rd in Class)
Rose Cup Portland, June 1968, Shelton, No. 57 (1st Overall)
SCCA National Cotati, June 1968, Shelton (1st Overall)
USRRC Kent, June 1968, Shelton (6th Overall)
SCCA Regional Kent, August 1968, Shelton, No. 57 (1st Overall)
SCCA National Kent, August 1968, Shelton, No. 57 (1st Overall)
SCCA Regional Portland, September 1968, Shelton (1st Overall)
SCCA National Portland, September 1968, Shelton (3rd Overall)
Westwood Pepsi Pro, September 1968, Shelton, No. 57 (1st Overall)
Can-Am Laguna Seca, October 1968, Shelton, No. 57 (19th Overall)
American Road Race of Champions, November 1968, Shelton, No. 85 (DNF)
SCCA Regional Portland, July 1969, Shelton (2nd Overall)

Chassis 906-140

The 906 presented here, chassis 906-140, was completed in April 1966 and delivered new to Kjell Qvale’s Pacific Northwest Porsche in Beaverton, Oregon.

The Porsche’s first owner was Earle M. Chiles of Portland, heir to the Fred Meyer supermarket chain fortune. Mr. Chiles campaigned his race cars under the Rapido Inc. banner and hired ace drivers Gary Wright, Michael Fisher, and Pete Lovely to drive 906-140 through 1966 and into 1967. During this period, the 906 was fitted with American Racing magnesium wheels and was entered at several races at Portland International Raceway (PIR) and Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington. A highlight of its early career took place at the Road America 500, where Fisher and Lovely drove it to an impressive 7th Overall and 3rd in Class finish.

In early 1967, following an accident at PIR, 906-140 was sold to famed Portland-based racing driver and exotic car dealer Monte Shelton. Shelton immediately repaired the damaged front bodywork and refinished the car in a distinctive medium blue livery. The Carrera 6 was then registered in Oregon with the plate “ACE 906” and its tail was decorated with a cartoon illustration of Snoopy accompanied by rotating catchphrases like “Let it all hang out” and “Here come da judge.”

Between 1967 and 1969, Shelton raced 906-140 in events all along the West Coast, from Westwood in Vancouver to Riverside, California. During this period, the blue 906, typically wearing race no. 57, racked up numerous class and overall wins in national and regional SCCA meets, and even participated in a Can-Am race at Laguna Seca. Following the 1969 season, Shelton took out a full-page ad in the March 1970 issue of Porsche Panorama magazine that read:

“No expense spared in care and maintenance, utilizing services of top Porsche crew in Northwest. Presently zero hours on newly prepared engine and gearbox. New Koni shocks, Firestone fuel cells. Car as pictured above has proven ability in top pro racing circles, winning first overalls against 7-Litre machines at Westwood BC and establishing lap records at Westwood, Delta Park, and Shelton. Was fastest 906 ever at 1968 Riverside ARRC (See January ’69 Sports Car). This car is a winner, and can now be purchased, complete with spare windshield, wet-weather tires and wheels, street exhaust system, competition exhausts, FIA ‘suitcase,’ full safety equipment, at sacrifice price of $8995 [sic].”

Around 1970, chassis 906-140 was sold to Robert Harmon of Marin, California. He raced the Carrera 6 occasionally at venues like Laguna Seca and Vacaville through 1975 when it was sold to Porsche dealer, racer, and collector Chuck Stoddard of Ohio. Stoddard eventually sold 906-140 to Bob White of Illinois, bought it back in the mid-1980s, and resold it, around 1986, to Jeff Hayes of Pennsylvania.

In 1988, 906-140 was sold to famed Italian car collector Fabrizio Violati, joining his Maranello Rosso Museum of Abarths and Ferraris. The Porsche remained in the Violati collection until 2001 when it was sold to another Italian enthusiast, Alfredo Spinetti. During his ownership, the 906 took part in several editions of the Vernasca Silver Flag Hill Climb and was otherwise kept as an occasional road car for special outings.

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In October 2022, 906-140 was profiled in Excellence magazine. The article, “Northwest Authenticity” by Alex Byles, summarizes the car’s history and comments on its remarkably original, largely unrestored condition. “‘It was, and still is, a racing car…We didn’t want to change anything about it, even the minor imperfections, because these show its spirit,’ explains Mr. Spinetti. ‘The fact that we have the privilege of being able to drive this real racing car on the street or track is something very special.’”

Recently back into US ownership, 906-140 presents today as an exceptionally authentic example of a prototype Porsche race car and is highly regarded among marque specialists. During its earliest years, this Carrera 6 was successfully campaigned in leading West Coast events, from Westwood to Riverside, by the likes of Mike Fisher, Pete Lovely, and Monte Shelton. Since its retirement from racing in the early 1970s, it has been preserved by knowledgeable collectors, including Chuck Stoddard and Fabrizio Violati.

Summary

A rarity among Carrera 6s, 906-140, it possesses a continuous provenance and a singular identity, with its history documented in several important books on the marque and model. Furthermore, unlike many examples, this 906 has never been converted into a Spyder and it retains a fundamentally original, unrestored character, appearing little changed since it was retired from racing 50 years ago. The consignor reports that the Porsche retains its factory chassis tag, frame production number, serial-numbered transaxle, and largely original fiberglass bodywork. Though it was updated in period to remain competitive during its active racing career, including the installation of a desirable magnesium-case engine block from a 910, it is among the precious few 906s that have never wanted or required a comprehensive restoration.

These important qualities, along with its distinctive period livery and eligibility for leading historical events, contribute to this 906’s reputation as one of the best-surviving examples of Porsche’s last road-going racing car.