Currently on offer at Collecting Cars is a 1987 Porsche 962 with a very interesting history in IMSA racing. It is being offered with current FIA papers.
HISTORY
The 962 has established itself as a racing legend and its history do speak for itself. A huge improvement compared to the 956, the 962 was a more solid and manageable racer. It also proved itself to be impressively competent in competition.
The 962 gave Porsche its sixth record victory at Le Mans in 1987, and throughout its racing career, it was able to collect around 180 victories on track.
This example is equipped with the stronger tub that was designed by former Lola engineer Jim Chapman. It increased the stiffness of the car substantially with its sandwiched honeycomb structure and bullet aluminum rear bulkhead.
Bob Akin received it in 1987 making it the last IMSA car he campaigned. It also became the first team car that he would never get to personally drive. In August 1987, the example made its competitive racing debut at the Road America 500 driven by James Weaver and Vern Schuppan.
Schuppan is definitely familiar to Porsche fans as he created the roadgoing Schuppan 962CR as his tribute to the legendary racing cars. The example finished 5th overall at Road America.
In October 1987, just six weeks after the Road America race, the example competed in the Columbus 500 with James Weaver and Hurley Haywood piloting the car. They placed 13th on the grid. During the race, the duo was able to climb up a few places and they finished 8th overall.
Its third and final IMSA race was at the Del Mar 2-hour with a solo James Weaver. 962-C04’s involvement in the race ended with a DNF. It was not because of an accident, however, so the example would retire from IMSA competition completely intact and original.
Akin kept the example after it retired and it was only in 1991 that he sold it to Dr. Tom Green of Saline, Michigan. In 2002, Stan Wattles of Glen Cove, New York became its custodian. Wattles tapped the expertise of Sean Creech from Sean Creech Motorsport/Metro Racing Systems to bring the car back to a high visual and mechanical standard.
It was also during this time that they installed a Klaus Fischer dyno-tested 3.2-liter flat-six engine with air intercoolers and Bosch Motronic 1.2 engine management system, new fuel cell, and new 8:37 ring and pinion.
In 2005, Rasim Tugberk of Fairfax, Virginia acquired the example and after a year, it was sold to a collector in Florida. It was sold again in 2012, and this next owner again tapped the expertise of Sean Creech for some significant mechanical work. Klaus Fischer of Amalfi Racing was tapped in 2015 to rebuild the engine.
Since it was restored 20 years ago, this 962 has been seen in numerous historic motorsport events. In 2004 and 2007, it competed in the Rennsport II and II, respectively. Also in 2004, it competed at the Rolex HSR Historic Endurance, the HSR Classic 24 Hour at Daytona, and the Monterey Historics.
The current owner is a serious pro/am0level racer who has been on the Le Mans podium. He purchased the 962 in 2019, and immediately started to fully utilize the car for its main purpose: racing. He also invested a great chunk to ensure that maintenance and improvements are properly done
Almost immediately after purchase, the current consigner drove the example at Sonoma Raceway where it logged 3-4 hours of track time. In October 2019, Veracity Racing Data installed several features on the example like an AIM-EVOS 1.3 GPS08 data logger, linear pot 75mm rod end, GS-Dash digital display, pressure sender, potentiometer, AIM SmartyCam, and patch cable.
RetroSport also installed a few items like the Daytona gears, new fire bottle, new seat belts, new brake pads with titanium fittings, new free bottle, and dive planes. Following factory dimensions, new stainless steel nose skid plates were placed. They also equipped it with new Michelin tires, and the wheels were afterwards balanced and aligned.
Later in the year, 3M clear paint protection film were used on the front portion of the car. They also inspected all mechanical systems and suspension components were crack tested and certified. Certification stickers of these tests can still be seen in various parts of the car.
The 962 was then eventually shipped to Germany where Rinaldi Racing installed a new fuel tank, renewed the driveshaft, modified the air jacks, and also installed new front and rear dampers. Even the steering box, clutch, flywheel, and crankshaft seal were also checked.
Other items that Rinaldi Racing installed are new brake discs and pads, new spark plugs and distributor caps, new wheel brake cylinder, new turbocharger, new fuel injectors, and even new door windows. Even the wiring harness was optimized. It was also then that all FIA paperwork was done for the car.
The 962 was registered at the Peter Auto’s Monza Historic festival and in September 2020, it logged approximately 2 hours on track. There is also an extensive video of the example’s track session.
Another 2 hours was logged at the Nurburgring, which shows the reliability and performance of the former IMSA racer. The example was also accepted to be part of the Le Mans Classic, but sadly it was postponed.
CONDITION
Surprisingly, the example is in excellent condition for a racing car from this era. The red and black livery is in great shape although very minor signs of track use can be seen on the front section.
The seller did disclose that a rubber ‘swirl’ is visible from when a competitor’s tire made contact behind the front right wheel in a test session.
Much of the body surface is protected with 3M film. It has clear windscreen and lenses, as well as authentic livery which showed the original period sponsors of Paradyne and Yokohama. The engine, gearbox, and suspension components were all in excellent condition, showing the care and attention that the previous and current owner has shown the example.
Recently shod with Michelin rubber, the 18-inch center lock BBS alloy wheels are in great condition.
Accompanying the sale are the example’s service records, spare set of headlight covers, center hub knockoff tool, small selection of trackside spares, and a spare set of front corner canards.
As of writing, the current bid for the 1987 Porsche 962 is at $100,000 with the auction ending on April 25.
