1961 Porsche RS61 1961 Porsche RS61

Along came a Spyder

Unveiled in January 1960, the RS60 represents the ultimate evolution of Porsche’s aluminum-bodied, four-cam Spyder – an iconic series of sports racing cars originating with the Type 550 in 1953. The RS60 was, in essence, a refined version of the highly successful works RSK built for the 1959 racing season. While the RS60 maintained the internal Type 718 designation, this much-improved Spyder featured a larger cockpit, unequal-length rear wishbone suspension, improved brakes, and more modern 15″ wheels. Although the front and rear track remained unchanged, the wheelbase was stretched by four inches, providing greater engine bay access and additional room for driver and passenger. The longer wheelbase, advanced suspension, and smaller wheels also profoundly affected handling, making the RS60 much more predictable than the RSK that it replaced.

Equipped with Porsche’s potent Type 547/3 four-cam engine, the RS60 was a sophisticated, highly efficient sports car perfectly suited for technical circuits and open road races. With a dry weight of just 1,210 pounds, the latest Spyder possessed exceptional road-holding, braking, and acceleration. Few contemporary sports cars offered such a well-balanced package.

Whereas the 550 and RSK Spyders were perennial favorites in the under-2,000 cc class, the RS60 was the first Porsche that posed a real threat to the large-capacity sports racers that competed for outright wins. 1960 Porsche placed second in the FIA World Sportscar Championship thanks to its works RS60s, which triumphed at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Targa Florio. Privateer RS60s were similarly effective, winning both the FIA European Hill Climb Championship and the SCCA E Modified National Championship.

In 1960, Porsche built 18 RS60s, four of which were retained by the works team. For the 1961 season, Porsche built another 14 Spyders for its customers, christening the new cars RS61s. Identical to the RS60 in all but the name, RS61s were the last of the legendary four-cam Spyders, the original line of sports racers that earned Porsche its reputation as a giant-killer.

Chassis 718-076

Highlights

The Ultimate Development of Porsche’s Thoroughbred Four-Cam Spyder
Raced by Hermann Müller in European Hill Climbs and Circuit Races from 1961 to 1963
The 1964 South African Sports Car Champion with Dr. Dawie S. Gous
Well-Documented Provenance; Owned by Noted Porsche Collectors Since the 1980s
Successful Participant in Multiple Monterey Motorsports and Rennsport Reunions
Eligible for the Most Exclusive Rallies, Concours, and Porsche Gatherings

Technical Specs

1,678 CC DOHC Type 547/5 Air-Cooled Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin Weber 46 IDA3 Carburetors
Estimated 175 BHP at 7,800 RPM
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Annular-Type Disc Brakes
Front Independent Trailing-Arm Suspension with Coil-Over Shock Absorbers
Rear Independent Double-Wishbone Suspension with Coil-Over Shock Absorbers

Ownership

The RS61 presented here, chassis 718-076, claims a successful period racing record and well-documented provenance, with history known from new. According to factory build records, 718-076 was completed in February 1961, finished in silver and equipped with a Type 547/3 four-cam engine, no. 90336. It was delivered new to Austrian racing driver Hermann Müller, who campaigned it in numerous hill climbs and circuit races through 1963.

Toward the end of the 1963 racing season, Hermann Müller sold 718-076 to Dr. Dawie S. Gous, a South African who had been actively racing Porsche 356 Carreras and Spyders since 1958. 1964 Dr. Gous was virtually unbeatable in his new RS61, handily winning that year’s South African Sports Car Championship.

By mid-1965, Gous had started racing an Elva Mk VII and sold his championship-winning RS61 to fellow South African racer Clive van Buuren, who campaigned it under the Ecurie Tomahawk banner through 1967, winning the South African 6 Hours outright and capturing back-to-back Top 10 results at the Kyalami 9 Hours. After van Buuren sold the aging RS61 to make way for a Porsche 906, no. 718-076 ended up in the ownership of Stan Wesselink. He raced the Porsche Spyder in historic events, winning a vintage race at Kyalami and the Sports Car Club of South Africa Hill Climb in Krugersdorp, before selling it to Tony Norris.

In the late 1970s, 718-076 was sold to California Porsche-Audi Inc. of San Francisco and exported to the US. By this time, the RS61 had been modified to remain competitive in racing. It now featured more aerodynamic bodywork, 911-type steering rack, and annular disc brakes as Porsche had fitted to some 356 Carrera 2s. A more powerful Type 574/5 four-cam engine (no. 90403) had also been fitted and remains in the car.

Around 1987, Jeffrey Keiner of Orlando, Florida, acquired 718-076. An avid vintage racer and collector, Mr. Keiner amassed an impressive stable of significant Porsches, including a 550 Spyder, 904, 906, and 910. During his ownership, the RS61 was restored, repainted black, and entered in numerous historic races and concours events before being sold to A. Dano Davis is the owner of the famous Brumos Collection in Jacksonville, Florida.

Fjordluft gathering creates its own style

In the mid-2000s, 718-076 joined Stanley Gold’s California-based Porsche collection and saw active use on the vintage racing circuit, successfully taking part in the Le Mans Classic and multiple outings at Rennsport Reunion and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Since 2013, this RS61 has been a fixture in one of the premier North American Porsche collections. Having benefited from expert care and maintenance overseen by the consignor’s in-house team, 718-076 presents beautifully in all respects, looking very much as it would have when first raced by Hermann Müller in 1961.

With fewer than 30 examples of the RS60/61 surviving today, the appearance of 718-076 at auction represents a truly exciting opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most important and sought-after competition models in the history of the Porsche marque.

Race History

Mitholz-Kandersteg Hill Climb, Switzerland, May 1961, Müller, No. 256 (2nd Place)
Col de la Faucille Hill Climb, France, June 1961, Müller, No. 52 (2nd Place)
Rossfeld Hill Climb, Germany, June 1961, Müller, No. 256 (7th Place)
Mont Ventoux Hill Climb, June 1961, Müller, No. 33 (6th Place)
Trento Bondone Hill Climb, Italy, July 1961, Müller (6th Place)
Freiburg-Schauinsland Hill Climb, Germany, July 1961, Müller, No. 108 (5th Place)
Klosters-Davos Hill Climb, Switzerland, September 1961, Müller (3rd Place)
Gaisberg Hill Climb, Austria, September 1961, Müller, No. 152 (6th Place)
Pontedecimo Hill Climb, Italy, September 1961, Müller (9th Place)
Col de la Faucille Hill Climb, June 1962, Müller (5th Place)
Fornovo-Monte Cassino Hill Climb, Italy, June 1962, Müller (5th Place)
Mont Ventoux Hill Climb, June 1962, Müller (4th Place)
Trento Bondone Hill Climb, Italy, July 1962, Müller (5th Place)
Freiburg-Schauinsland Hill Climb, Germany, July 1962, Müller (6th Place)
Ollon-Villars Hill Climb, Switzerland, August 1962, Müller (4th Place)
Timmeljoch Hill Climb, Austria, September 1962, Müller (4th Place)
Gaisberg Hill Climb, Austria, September 1962, Müller, No. 187 (4th Place)
Houyet Hill Climb, Belgium, September 1962, Romedenne (4th Place)
Namur Hill Climb, Belgium, September 1962, Romedenne (6th Place)
Flugplatzrennen Innsbruck, Austria, October 1962, Müller, No. 65 (3rd in Class)
Rossfeld Hill Climb, Germany, June 1963, Müller, No. 23 (18th Place)
Flugplatzrennen Wien-Aspern, Austria, June 1963, Müller, No. 63 (2nd in Class)
Mont Ventoux Hill Climb, June 1963, Müller, No. 42 (5th Place)
Trophée d’Auvergne, France, July 1963, Müller, No. 2 (1st in Class, 4th Overall)
SA SCC Killarney, January 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Roy Hesketh, February 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami RAT, February 1964, Gous, No. 50 (1st in Class)
Roy Hesketh Sports and GT, March 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami SAF, June 1964, Gous, (1st Overall)
SA SCC Roy Hesketh, June 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC East London, July 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, July 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami, August 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Roy Hesketh, August 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Killarney, September 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami RST, October 1964, Gous (1st Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami GP, December 1964, Gous, No. 50 (1st in Class)
South African 6 Hours, April 1965, Gous/van Buuren (1st Overall)
SA SCC Roy Hesketh, April 1965, Gous (2nd Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami SAF, June 1965, van Buuren (3rd Overall)
South African 6 Hours, April 1966, van Buuren/de Klerk (1st Overall)
SA SCC Kyalami SAF, May 1966, van Buuren (3rd Overall)
Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, July 1966, van Buuren (2nd Overall)
Kyalami 9 Hours, November 1966, van Buuren/Mellet, No. 16 (3rd Overall, 1st in Class)
SA SCC Kyalami Rand Autumn Trophy, March 1967, van Buuren (2nd in Class)
South African 6 Hours, March 1967, van Buuren/Mellet (4th Overall)
Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, July 1967, van Buuren (3rd Overall)
SA SCC Roy Hesketh, August 1967, van Buuren (6th Overall)
Kyalami 9 Hours, November 1967, van Buuren/Mellet, No. 19 (8th Overall)