1967 Porsche 910 Available for Sale Highlights How Classic Race Cars Gave Everything for Speed

      PSAutomobile/Bring a Trailer

      

      

      

      

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      Porsche has strongly suggested that a street-legal hypercar inspired by endurance racing will be unveiled in June. While official information is limited, it is expected that this new model will incorporate advanced technology from the 919 Hybrid. In stark contrast, the 910, which competed in the 1960s, exemplifies an earlier era of race car construction. This vehicle showcases both simplicity and sophistication, with the first of 28 units produced now available for purchase.

      This 910, which features a reserve listing on Bring a Trailer and is identified by chassis number 910001, is equipped with a 2.0-liter air-cooled flat-six engine housed in a magnesium case. It was originally a factory works car that made its debut at the Trento Bondone Hill Climb in July 1966 and subsequently participated in various competitions throughout Europe, including the 1,000 kilometers of Monza. In a sense, we are referencing a 919 Hybrid here.

      However, the narrative takes an intriguing twist: this 910 was registered for street use in Austria in 1969. Good luck doing that with a 919 Hybrid!

      The accompanying images reveal much about the car, totaling 575 photos to admire. The 910 may seem incredibly experimental by 2025 standards, even among prototypes designed exclusively for racing; nonetheless, it was remarkably advanced for its time. It rides on 13-inch center-locking magnesium wheels and incorporates numerous lightweight components such as dual fiberglass seats for a thrilling ride with a passenger, fiberglass cooling ducts for the five-speed manual transaxle, fiberglass velocity stacks, titanium connecting rods, and a magnesium cooling fan.

      Fast forward to the present day, some of these innovations remain prevalent in racing vehicles (and a select few production models). Carbon fiber has largely replaced fiberglass as the preferred lightweight composite for both road use and racing, with the new 911 GT3 RS featuring carbon fiber bucket seats. The Ferrari 12Cilindri includes titanium connecting rods, while the Aston Martin Valiant is equipped with magnesium wheels. Fortunately, modern vehicles are significantly safer: The 910 lacks a full roll cage, and its frame does not provide substantial protection.

      Despite this, the 910 thrives in all its splendor and has recently participated in various events, including the 2023 Amelia Werks Reunion. Restoration efforts made during the 2000s and 2010s involved engine and transaxle overhauls, tubular frame repairs and alignments, fiberglass body repainting, and reverting modifications done by former owners. Chassis number 910001 is now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the sale comes with a 207-page binder filled with documents detailing its history and the work it has undergone over the years. This documentation is crucial as it helps authenticate the car's lineage, and it appears this 910 is particularly well-recorded.

      Will a 919 Hybrid have similar documentation in 2083? One can only hope. However, how would such a vehicle transition into private ownership? And if it remains within manufacturers' hands, how will it continue to compete? Most vehicles in historic races tend to be privately owned rather than owned by manufacturers.

      Currently, bidding has reached approximately $1.3 million with four days remaining in the auction. Assigning a value to this model is challenging. With only 28 units produced, no two are identical, and each has its own narrative. For context, another 910 was sold by Bring a Trailer for $2.5 million in June 2023, and Porsche prototypes generally fetch over $1 million. The site also sold a documented 1966 906 for $2 million in 2023.

      Regarding the street-legal hypercar: Stay tuned. June is just around the corner.

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