​Porsche 956 Works (Chassis #009)

​Porsche 956-009 Works (1984)

Sometimes, a car’s history is so good that it is never lost track of. Such a vehicle’s every move is recorded, documented, and laid out for the world to see. It is never crashed, it has only a small number of owners, and its provenance is so well recorded that when, at last, it eventually comes on the market, it is held up to be one of the most desirable racing cars ever. When it comes to sports-racing cars, it’s as likely as not that such a car is a Porsche.

When, in 1982, Porsche introduced their 956, nobody could have predicted the effect it would have on sports-car racing. The first few photos of the original unkempt 956, tested at Weissach with Derek Bell at its controls, showed a scruffy prototype, its bodywork sporting assorted shades of grey-white primer, gelcoat and grime. It was an unprepossessing vehicle – but it was the first example of a whole new dynasty, a type of car which would become, unquestionably, the most successful sports-racing car the world has ever seen.