For Sale: 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder in Scotts Valley, California

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1961 Porsche 718 RS 61
VIN: 718-076

The last of the legendary four-cam Spyders
One of just 14 RS-61 examples built
First delivered to Hermann M�ller of Sweizimmern, Austria
Successfully raced in the 1961-1963 Hillclimb World Championship
Documented ownership and history since new
1.7L Type 547/3 four-cam engine
5-speed manual transmission
Eligible for the most exclusive rallies, vintage racing, and concours d'elegance

Introduced in 1960, the Porsche RS60 was the ultimate evolution of the iconic aluminum-bodied, four-cam Spyder line that began in 1953. Building upon the successful RSK model, the RS60 featured a four-inch longer wheelbase, advanced unequal-length rear wishbone suspension, modern 15-inch wheels, and a larger cockpit mandated by FIA regulations. Powered by the highly efficient Type 547/3 four-cam engine and weighing a mere 1,210 pounds, it became the first Porsche capable of challenging large-capacity sports racers for outright victories. After dominating tracks at Sebring and the Targa Florio, Porsche produced 14 identical customer versions for the 1961 season, officially naming them the RS61. These models marked the final chapter for the legendary four-cam Spyders.

Chassis 718-076 is a well-documented RS61 completed in February 1961 and originally delivered to Austrian racer Hermann M�ller. Finished in silver, M�ller campaigned the car heavily in the FIA European Hill Climb Championship before updating it in 1963 with a Kamm-tail design and an Austrian flag livery, eventually securing a class win at the Trophee d'Auvergne. Late in 1963, the car was sold to Dr. Dawie S. Gous of South Africa, who used it to decisively win the 1964 South African Sports Car Championship. The Spyder continued its successful African racing career under Clive van Buuren, who won the South African 6 Hours outright, and later Stan Wesselink, who captured multiple historic racing victories before selling the car to Tony Norris.

In the late 1970s, the RS61 was sold to California Porsche-Audi Inc., and exported to the U.S. By this time, it had received competitive upgrades, including a 911-type steering rack, annular disc brakes, and a larger, more powerful Type 574/5 four-cam engine (90403) that remains in the car today. Throughout the ensuing decades, the RS61 passed through the hands of elite American Porsche collectors. Jeffrey Keiner acquired and restored the vehicle in 1987, racing it in historic events before selling it to A. Dano Davis of the famous Brumos Collection. In 2005, Stanley Gold purchased the car and actively campaigned it at prestigious vintage circuits, including the Le Mans Classic and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Starting in 2013, chassis 718-076 was expertly maintained in a premier North American collection, meticulously preserved to look just as it did when Hermann M�ller first raced it in 1961. Despite its pedigree as a thoroughbred racing machine, the RS61 is celebrated today as a highly usable and exciting road car, boasting a relatively spacious two-seat cockpit and a full windscreen. Upon arriving at Canepa the car was given the complete "Canepa Difference" treatment, including a thorough mechanical and cosmetic process that Canepa is renowned for. The RS61 was cleaned from top to bottom, including hand washing underneath the chassis. The silver metallic paint was carefully polished using only foam pads, and the interior surfaces were treated with equal respect. Afterwards, the car was mechanically inspected and found to have a complete clean bill of health, with subsequent test drives confirming its condition. It remains eligible for virtually every premier vintage race and exclusive rally worldwide, ensuring the new owner can enjoy it to the fullest on the most prestigious automotive events. With just 14 examples of the RS61 produced, along with documented provenance, and distinguished global racing history make it an exceptionally rare and sought-after piece of Porsche motorsport history.

Racing History

06.25.1961 - Course de Cote du Mont Vendoux EBM (F) 33 CL 4 - Hermann M�ller
07.09.1961 - Bergrennen Trento Bondone EBM (I) CL 6 - Hermann M�ller
07.30.1961 - Bergrennen Freiburg Schauinsland EBM (D) CL 3 - Hermann M�ller
09.03.1961 - Course de Cote Closters-Davos (CH) EBM CL 2 - Hermann M�ller
09.10.1961 - Unfall Porsche Bergrennen Gaisberg EBM (A) 152 DNF - Herbert M�ller
09.17.1961 - Bergrennen Portodecimo (I) EBM CL 7 - Hermann M�ller
06.03.1962 - Course de Cote de Faucille (F) EBM CL 5 - Hermann M�ller
06.10.1962 - Bergrennen Parma - Monte Cassino (I) CL 5 - Hermann M�ller
06.17.1962 - Course de Cote du Mont Vendoux EBM (F) CL 2 - Hermann M�ller
07.08.1962 - Bergrennen Trento Bondone EBM (I) 416 CL - Hermann M�ller
08.26.1962 - Coures de Cote Ollon Villars EBM (CH) CL 4 - Hermann M�ller
09.02.1962 - Bergrennen Timmeljoch (A) CL 1 - Hermann M�ller
09.09.1962 - Bergrennen Gaisberg EBM (A) 187 CL 1 - Hermann M�ller
09.23.1962 - Course de Cote de Houyet (B) CL 4 - Alphonse Romedenne
09.30.1962 - Course de Cote de Namur (B) CL 6 - Alphonse Romedenne
10.07.1962 - Flugplatzrennen Innsbruck (A) 65 CL 3 - Hermann M�ller
11.03.1962 - 9 h Kyalami (SA) 10 CL 3 - Dr. Dawie Gous / Al Klesse
12.02.1962 - GP Angola Louisville (ANG) 20 CL 2 - Hermann M�ller
03.24.1963 - 12 Std. von Huy (B) CL 1 - Alphonse Romedenne
06.09.1963 - Bergrennen Rossfeld (D) EBM CL - Hermann M�ller
06.13.1963 - Flugplatzrennen Wien Aspern (A) 63 CL 2 - Hermann M�ller
06.23.1963 - Course de Cote du Mont Vendoux EBM (F) 42 CL 5 - Hermann M�ller
10.06.1963 - GP Angola Louisville (ANG) 60 CL - Dr. Dawie Gous
11.02.1963 - 9 h Kyalami (SA) 75 CL ### - Peter Engelbrecht/Dawie Gous
01.04.1964 - Killarney (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
02.29.1964 - Kyalami (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
06.01.1964 - Kyalami (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
06.21.1964 - Roy Hesketh (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
07.13.1964 - East London (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
08.01.1964 - Kyalami (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
08.23.1964 - Roy Hesketh (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous
09.19.1964 - Killarney (SA) CL 1 - Dr. Dawie Gous