Success proved more elusive for 910-001 in 1969, with the car raced by Richard Gerin at Zeltweg on July 27, followed on August 10 by the Zeltweg 100 Kilometers race with Gerin sharing driving duties with Helmut Marko to an eighth-place finish. For today’s racing fans, a highlight of the 1969 racing season came when 910-001 was codriven by its then-owner Otto Stuppacher and a young Niki Lauda, the eventual three-time Formula 1 World Champion who was granted a one-off ride in the Porsche under Bosch Racing Team racing sponsorship. Driving two stints each, Stuppacher and Lauda finished ninth in class and 21st overall. Notably, the race was the first for Porsche’s eventual Le Mans-winning 917, the first full international racing meet at Austria’s Österreichring and the final round of the International Championship of Makes for 1969. Non-championship outings with Gerin driving included the August 17 Swedish GP with a ninth-place finish and fourth on August 24 at the (country-ish) GP Jyllandsringen. Next, Bosch-sponsored driver Lambert Hofer acquired 910-001 and closed out 1969 with 10th place at the Salzburgring, a DNF at the Hessenreis Hockenheim and sixth in class at Neubiberg. Hofer continued to campaign 910-001 extensively through 1970 in the UK, races in the UK, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Italy and European Interserie events. Three Top 10 finishes were earned by the aging, but still-competitive 910 with Hofer during the 1970 season at the RAC Snetterton race (fourth), Zolder 500 Kilometers (fifth) and the Salzburgring European 2-Litre Championship series race (eighth). Subsequent owners campaigned 910-001 on a more limited basis, including Georg Koltay (1971), Walter Proebst (1971) and Hans Deffland (1973). Its current owner acquired it in 1994 and commissioned its meticulous restoration to exacting specifications and workmanship. In addition to its “first of line” status, successful works and privateer racing history, and known provenance from new, Porsche 910-001 is one of 12 short tail Porsche 910s produced, one of 14 flat 6-cylinder cars produced, and one of just six Porsche 910s registered for road use. Porsche racing legend Rolf Stommelen is also understood to have driven 910-001, confirmed by a color photograph on file of him and Niki Lauda with the car. Sporting its sleek and lightweight fiberglass bodywork, 910-001 is a study in correctness and originality, retaining its original 2.0L fuel-injected flat 6-cylinder engine. Irreplaceable details include the competition twin-spark ignition and the original magnesium engine case, original central lubricated cams, original row pump MFI system, original Magneti Marelli distributor, original slide throttles, plus correct fuel-injection trumpets, a small magnesium fan, correct small lightweight engine shroud and correct small race oil filter. The rear transaxle includes the original 5-speed manual transmission including restored cooling ribs on the side of the gearbox. Featuring a white exterior finish with red trim and black Porsche graphics, 910-001 includes a roll bar, removable targa roof panel and a red and black racing seat. Mechanical features include new driveshafts, titanium suspension uprights, exotic beryllium disc-brake rotors and wide Dunlop racing tires on 13-inch racing wheels originally designed for the 1960s-era Porsche Formula 1 cars. Allowing use on classic tours and rallies, the 910 is presently fitted with custom-made exhaust silencers; however, the original race pipes are included with the sale of 910-001. Exceptional documentation accompanies the offering of 910-001, in addition to the many print and online sources covering the 910 and 910-001 in particular, including the current FIA Historical Technical Passport (valid to December 31, 2029). Other desirable items include the original title, a photograph of Niki Lauda and Rolf Stommelen, restoration photographs, historic files, a special lifting jack and a rare service manual. Offered from 30 years of highly knowledgeable, single-owner care, Porsche 910-001 is a thrilling offering on all counts. Highly effective and successful in its own right, this classic Porsche warrior also stands as an important evolutionary link to the mighty Porsche 917s that scored overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971 and utterly dominated North American Can-Am racing in 1972-73.
