Porsche 962 - The Ultimate Guide
Turbo Endurance Icon That Totally Dominated
Model Guides / Featured Stories / Specs / Engines / Pictures & Videos / Data & Research / FAQs / News & Updates
Porsche 962 Basics
Manufacturer: Porsche
Production Years: 1984 - 1991
Designer: Norbet Singer
Chassis: Aluminum monocoque
Layout: Rear mid-engine, RWD
Engines: Several Turbo Flat 6s
Transmission: 5-speed manual or dual clutch semi-automatic
Predecessor: Porsche 956
Successor: Porsche WSC-95
The Porsche 962 is one of the most legendary and dominant race cars in motorsport history, a machine that epitomized endurance racing excellence throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Introduced in 1984 as a successor to the already successful 956, the 962 was designed to comply with IMSA GTP regulations in North America, which required the driver's feet to be positioned behind the front axle for safety—something the 956 didn’t meet. Porsche made critical revisions to the chassis and safety structure, resulting in the 962, which would go on to have one of the longest and most successful competitive lifespans of any race car.
Powered by a series of turbocharged flat-six engines ranging from 2.6 to 3.2 liters, the Porsche 962 delivered up to 750 horsepower in its most potent configurations. Its aluminum monocoque chassis, advanced aerodynamics, and remarkable durability made it a force on long, grueling tracks like Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring. It was not only blisteringly fast but also incredibly reliable—traits that made it ideal for endurance racing. Porsche also offered customer versions, enabling privateer teams to compete at the highest levels with factory-level machinery.
The 962 dominated in both Europe and North America, winning Le Mans in 1986 and 1987, while also securing multiple victories in the IMSA GT Championship and the World Sportscar Championship. It was driven by legendary names such as Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Stuck, and Al Holbert. In North America, it became the backbone of the IMSA GTP grid, racking up dozens of wins and several championships. Its blend of power, balance, and mechanical robustness gave it a versatility that very few race cars could match.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the 962 was how long it remained competitive. Even as regulations changed and newer cars emerged, the 962 continued to win races well into the early 1990s—often heavily modified by privateer teams. Over time, it became a symbol of Porsche’s engineering prowess and adaptability. Some even saw road-legal conversions of the 962, further adding to its legendary status among collectors and enthusiasts.
Today, the Porsche 962 is revered as a motorsport icon. Its unmistakable silhouette, turbine-like turbo sound, and racing pedigree have made it a holy grail among historic racing fans. More than just a car, the 962 represents a golden age of prototype racing—a time when performance, innovation, and endurance combined to produce one of the most formidable race machines ever built.
Porsche 962 Featured Stories
Unlock The Porsche 962 with our Special Features. These are our exclusive, members-only stories packed with rare documents, behind-the-scenes stories and insights into this dominant racing machine you won’t find anywhere else.
Porsche 962 Variant Guide
The Porsche 962 arrived on scene in 1984 as essentially a Porsche 956 for the IMSA/US market. IMSA mandated that the driver's feet had to be behind the front wheel centerline. Therefore Porsche needed to change the 956 to accommodate this difference and ultimately that meant redesigning the monocoque and giving the car a new designation. The 962's monocoque was basically a stretched 956 tub with one primary difference. The result was that the 962's front overhang was shorter (in order to stay within the maximum regulated length) with the added bonus being that the car was less pitch sensitive compared to the 956. The IMSA Porsche 962 was known simply as the Porsche 962, while in FISA Group C1 format, the 962 was known at the Porsche 962C. There is a lot of overlap so we decided to simply combine these into one guide below. We also included a fun special edition 962 developed by our friends at Dauer.
Notable Porsche 962 Cars & Chassis Numbers
Initially, Porsche built 10 works team chassis numbers. Chassis #001 was built for IMSA, while Chassis #002, #003 and #004 were the 1985 and 1986 Rothmans world championship team cars. Chassis #005 was a sprint car and was only raced once as a Rothmans car. Chassis #006 is in the factory museum. Chassis #007 and #008 were the new lightweight Rothmans cars for 1987. Chassis #009 was the replacement Supercup car for the crashed #005. Chassis #010 was the last works car built, built to win the 1988 Le Mans 24 hrs. After withdrawing as a factory race team in 1988, Porsche built 6 more factory numbered chassis for the works supported Joest team (Chassis #011 to #016). After the works withdrew in 1988, the privateer teams needed to carry on their own development to stay competitive with the Jaguars and Sauber Mercedes. In all, it is estimated that there were approximately 19 complete case built by Porsche for IMSA and another 16 cars made by others using Porsche (and their own) parts. For Group C, Porsche made about 54 cars completely and another 37 cars were made by others. In this 37 units includes the Dauer street and GT1 cars.
Porsche 962 Specifications & Performance
We broke the Porsche 962 specs into two broad segments, but the reality is that the car was optimized and changed over the years so these numbers are estimates more than exact.
Porsche 962 Engines (Over the Years)
Ignore wikipedia (it is wrong). Here are some of the configurations and engines used by the Porsche 962s used over it's racing life.
Porsche 962 Data & Research
We dig into some of the data surrounding the Porsche 962, including production numbers, specifications, chassis numbers and much more.
Porsche 962 Pictures, Galleries & Wallpapers
The Porsche 962 is all about technology and performance but at the same time it is still one sexy looking race car. Enjoy the design and all the little details in these Porsche 962 picture galleries.
Porsche 962 Videos
Experience the Porsche 962 in these engaging and awesome videos. We recommend you turn up the volume to be transported back to the days of insane racing cars.
Porsche 962 FAQs
Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just discovering the legacy of this incredible machine, our FAQ section is here to answer your biggest questions.
What made the Porsche 962 so successful in racing?
The Porsche 962 combined raw power, aerodynamic efficiency, and unmatched durability, making it a dominant force in both IMSA and Group C racing. It was fast enough to win sprint races, yet reliable enough to endure 24-hour marathons like Le Mans. Porsche’s support for privateer teams, along with the car’s adaptability, extended its competitiveness over nearly a decade—a rare feat in motorsport.
What kind of engine did the Porsche 962 use?
The 962 used a range of turbocharged flat-six engines, depending on the series and regulations. In IMSA, the 962 typically ran a 3.2-liter single-turbo flat-six, producing around 680–720 hp. In Group C, it often used a 2.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six, producing over 750 hp in qualifying trim. These engines were known for their strength, responsiveness, and ability to handle the extreme stresses of endurance racing.
What racing championships did the Porsche 962 win?
The 962 racked up major wins across the globe, including:
24 Hours of Le Mans (1986, 1987)
IMSA GTP Championships (Multiple years with teams like Holbert Racing)
Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours
Numerous Group C and World Sportscar Championship victories
It became one of the most successful race cars of all time, winning over 100 races during its career.
How fast was the Porsche 962?
The top speed of the Porsche 962 varied depending on configuration and aero setup, but it could reach up to 220 mph (354 km/h) on long straights like the Mulsanne at Le Mans. Its 0–60 mph time was under 3 seconds in qualifying trim, especially in later, higher-powered variants.
How much is a Porsche 962 worth today?
Authentic Porsche 962s with racing pedigree can fetch $1.5 million to $3 million or more, depending on provenance, race history, and condition. Cars with Le Mans entries or wins are especially valuable. Some privateer chassis or road-legal conversions may sell for less, but the most collectible examples command premium prices at auction.
Porsche 962 News & Updates
Recent auctions, awesome review videos and all the latest news and posts regarding anything to do with the Porsche 962.
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