Porsche 935 anniversary racer revives Moby Dick

If your 700hp Porsche 911 GT2 RS isn’t fast or exclusive enough, Porsche has gone one better. It’s brought back the Porsche 935 in classic ‘Moby Dick’ racing form.

Debuted overnight at the iconic sports car brand’s 'Rennsport Reunion' motorsport event at Laguna Seca Raceway in California, the new 935 features bodywork “reminiscent of the legendary Porsche 935/78”, says Porsche.

Just 77 will be produced to help celebrate the 70th anniversary of Porsche sports cars. The price for each ex-factory is more than 700,000 Euro ($A1.12 million) plus taxes.

“This spectacular car is a birthday present from Porsche Motorsport to fans all over the world,” said Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars.

“Because the car isn’t homologated, engineers and designers didn’t have to follow the usual rules and thus had freedom in the development.”

Aimed at ‘clubsport’ racers (and collectors), the new 935 is based on the latest 911 GT2 RS with much of the bodywork “replaced or supplemented by carbon-fibre composite parts".

The carbon-fibre aero bodywork reprises the original Porsche 935/78 'Moby Dick' Le Mans racer. It will even be offered with an optional ‘Martini’ style livery – at an additional cost of course.

Says Porsche: “Many details of the exterior are a salute to winning vehicles from the company’s motor racing history: The aerodynamically capped rims echo those of the 935/78, with the LED rear lights on the rear wing endplates adopted from the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car.

"The side mirrors hail from the current Le Mans-winning 911 RSR, with the exposed titanium tailpipes modelled on the Porsche 908 from 1968.”

The company says the nostalgia overload even carries over into the cockpit.

“The knob on the gearshift lever has a laminated wood design and is reminiscent of racers such as the 917, the 909 Bergspyder and the Carrera GT super sports car. The carbon steering wheel and the colour display behind it have been taken from the 2019-model year 911 GT3 R.”

The new 935 uses much of the 911 GT2 RS’ existing running gear – even traction and stability control. That and the retention of air-cons is good news for many of the well-heeled collectors that will inevitably make up the lion’s share of buyers,

Deliveries of the racetrack-only 935 will kick-off from mid-2019. Oh, and if you do buy one, can we have a drive?

How much does the 2019 Porsche 935 cost?
Price: 701,948 Euro ($A1.124 million) plus country-specific taxes
Base car: Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991.2)

Dimensions
Weight: 1380kg
Length: 4865mm
Width: 2034mm (including side mirrors)
Height: 1359mm
Wheelbase: 2457mm

Powertrain
Engine: Water-cooled six-cylinder aluminium twin-turbo rear-mounted boxer engine and rigid suspension; 3800 cc; stroke 77.5mm; bore 102mm
Power: 515kW (700 hp)
Drivetrain: Seven-speed PDK gearbox with rigid suspension and short throw; rear drive, limited-slip differential optimised for racing

Running gear
Weight-optimised bodyshell; aluminium-steel composite design with carbon-fibre Kevlar body parts to improve aerodynamics and stability
Rear wing with lights integrated in endplates
Removable escape hatch in roof complying with FIA Art 275a
FT3 safety 115-litre fuel cell with fuel cut-off safety valve; optional with fast-fill coupling
Welded-in roll cage
Single Recaro racing bucket seat

Suspension/brakes
Front suspension: MacPherson suspension strut; forged suspension links, optimised stiffness with high-performance spherical bearings, centre-locking wheel nuts; 3-way racing dampers, reinforced tie-rod; Electro-mechanical power steering with variable steering ratio; anti-roll bar
Front brakes: six-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers with anti-knock-back piston springs; steel brake discs, internally ventilated with 380 mm diameter, racing brake pads, optimised brake cooling ducts
Rear suspension: Lightweight multi-link suspension, strut ball jointed (Unibal); centre-locking wheel nuts; 3-way racing dampers; anti-roll bar
Rear brakes: four-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers with anti-knock-back piston springs; steel brake discs, internally ventilated with 355 mm diameter, racing brake pads, optimised brake cooling ducts

Electrical system
Instrument cluster with COSWORTH ICD with integrated data logger, sport Chrono watch and boost gauge in a vintage finish
CFK multifunction steering wheel with pit speed limiter and quick-release coupling
PSM (Porsche Stability Management) with ABS, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (able to be completely switched off)
Centre console with map switch to adjust the ABS, ESC, TC and switch between preset tyre circumferences
Porsche Track Precision Race App and Integrated lap trigger
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Air conditioning

Rims/Tyres
Front: One-piece light-alloy forged wheels 11.5J x 18 offset 15.3 with centre-locking nut; Michelin transport tyres 29/65-R18
Rear: One-piece light-alloy forged wheels 13J x 18 offset -10 with centre-locking nut; Michelin transport tyres 31/71-R18