1965 Porsche 911 Race Car

model history 

Originally unveiled in 1963 as the 901, the 911 – as it would be renamed shortly after production started a year later – would quickly become the more celebrated successor to Porsche’s first production car, the 356.  

With its new 2.0-litre engine and all-around independent suspension, the bigger, more powerful and more refined 911 was designed with Grand Touring in mind, going on to become arguably the most successful sports car ever built, with continuous development to this day.

Retaining the familiar rear-engined, air-cooled ‘boxer’ configuration of its predecessor, the 911 acquired a new 1,991cc flat 6-cylinder power unit, producing 130hp at 6,200 rpm, alongside new four and five-speed manual transmission options, all-around disc brakes and 2+2 seating.

Despite its focus on becoming a refined Grand Touring car, the 911's sporting credentials were established almost immediately. Recognising the car's performance potential, Porsche quickly developed race-ready variants and entered them into competition, where the new model soon proved its mettle in the demanding world of rallying. 

In the Autumn of 2017, Sports Purpose founder James Turner started the 2 Litre Cup series in conjunction with Peter Auto, creating by far the most successful one make formula in European historic racing. The series has raced at Grands Prix tracks across Europe, while the cars remain highly eligible for multiple historic racing events.

this car

Chassis 302035 was completed on 3 August 1965 and was delivered new to the USA in the rare and special order colour of Bali Blue, the colour it still sports today. 

The current owner, four time 2.0 Litre Cup champion, Olly Bryant, purchased the car in 2018 and tasked the well-known Porsche specialist Steve Monk to prep and restore the shell for racing. The whole process was extensively documented with photos where the quality of the work is evident and, importantly for competition purposes, the car was seam welded increasing its rigidity. Every effort was made to retain many of the original details on the car. 

The car was then given to the team at Historika Klassika – multiple 2.0 Cup champions themselves - to build up into race specification. This included rebuilding the original engine and gearbox as well as extensive suspension and setup work. They also wired and trimmed the car to their usual exacting standards and the car has benefitted from being run by Historika ever since. 

The Bryant family have used the car regularly but thoughtfully since the car was completed in 2020. Highlights include being the fastest 911 at every circuit on the 2022 Tour Auto as well as competing in the Fordwater Trophy at the 2023 Goodwood Revival Meeting. The car has also been regularly used at BRDC track days, being driven to and from these on the road. 

The spares package includes a full set of Fuchs wheels, smaller front and rear anti-roll bars, the original exhaust, a spare Historika fast road seat and various original parts and trim that were removed from the car when it was converted. The gearbox and differential were both recently rebuilt and the car has valid HTPs until the end of 2030.