Vehicle Description
1967 Porsche 911R Prototype
VIN: 307670
One of the four 911R Prototypes, last one produced
The ultimate 911 "Hot Rod"
The finest example in the world
Fully mechanically and cosmetically restored by Canepa
9,176 original kilometers (5,702 miles)
Featured in the first issue of 000 Magazine
Twin plug, 225 horsepower two liter flat six engine
Dogleg 5-speed manual transmission
This 911R Prototype is one of the most significant Porsches ever
built. It marks the beginning of a 911 racing dynasty that would
span decades and include multiple wins at Le Mans, Sebring, and
Daytona.
In 1967, Porsche pulled four examples of their new 911S off of the
production line and set about making racecars out of them. The 911R
was born. These four prototypes, known now as R1, R2, R3, and R4,
were to be the beginning of the homologation of a 911 racecar. In
fact, after the prototypes only 20 production versions would ever
be made. It would not be until the 1973 911 Carrera RS that the
homologated 911 racecar would take the world by storm.
The 911R initial purpose was to demonstrate how much weight could
be extracted from a production vehicle. While the production 911S
weighed in around 2300lbs the R came in just over 1800 lbs. This
was achieved by the fitting of GFK lightweight fiberglass doors,
front and rear decklid, and bumpers. Aluminum hinges were used on
the decklids and doors. Thinner steel was used throughout the body.
There was no undercoating or sound proofing. Plexi window were used
with manual pull straps. It was the ultimate 911 diet.
Some called the 911R a 906 in a 911 body. It wasn't far from the
truth. The engine was twin-plug 1,991 cc flat six that put out 225
horsepower at 8,000 rpm. That shrieking powerplant was fitted to a
901 transmission with a dogleg first gear. The gearshift was moved
back 100mm. The oil tank followed the same construction pattern as
the 906 and 910, using the same fittings, filter, and thermostat.
Mechanically it was all racecar.
This example, R4, is the last and most original of the 911R
prototypes. Painted at the factory in Lemon Yellow, R4 would have a
fascinating life. On May 12 1969 the factory would sell the 911R to
the Porsche distributor, Sonauto, in Lavalloie, France. Its first
owner would be Victor Blanc, a French privateer, who would enter
the car in the Ronde Cevenole Rally. Apparently Mr. Blanc missed a
few of his payments and the car was returned to the dealer,
Etablissements Balsa, before being placed in an auction to be held
on October 15, 1970.
Now things get really interesting. R4 never made it to the auction.
It was stolen the day before the event and simply disappeared. In
1991, some 20 years later, the car was discovered in a warehouse in
Marseilles in excellent condition and returned to Etablissements
Balsa, the last legal owner. With only 2,300 km on the odometer the
car was prepared for sale and found a new owner in Martyn Konig of
the United Kingdom.
The car would arrive in the United States for sale in 2006 and
would find its way to Canepa for a full restoration shortly after.
Thanks to its long and dry storage during its prime years, R4 was
amazingly original and damage free. All of the fiberglass panels
were original to the car. This is unheard of for a car that was
design for competition. The tub was found to never had any
corrosion or damage. From the perfect dash material to the flawless
paper hoses under the hood all the original parts were present and
reusable. Racecar restoration usually involves the repair a
multitude of sins created over a career of ruthless competition. R4
had no sins. None.
Now with just 9,176 original kilometers, R4 has been in the care of
a private collector for the past decade, and appeared on the lawn
at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2013 alongside our
restoration of the 1979 Le Mans winning Porsche 935K3. It was a
stunning display to see the first racing 911 next to the first and
only 911 to win overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This car
belongs on the top shelf of any serious car collection, Porsche or
otherwise.
We believe it is the finest example of the 911R in the world.
Period.
9,176 original kilometers = 5,702 miles
