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Porsche 962 driven through the streets of Japan

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Porsche, Racing

The Porsche 962 dominated racetracks, and you'll be pleased to see that it's equally at home on public roads. The video above shows a street-legal Porsche 962C prototype acting like just another daily driver in Japan.

Despite looking bouncy on the surface streets, the driver states that it's fairly easy to live with behind the wheel. To illustrate this, we're treated to the sight of a 962 tackling day-to-day mundanities like filling up at a gas station, then heading to a convenience store for a Red Bull. (Note the parking spot that's chosen.)

As is the case with most auto enthusiasts, the owner of this 962 fell in love with the car while watching it race. The video, beautifully produced, delves into some of that history as well as the backstory for this particular car. It's a fun watch, so check it out below.

Continue reading Porsche 962 driven through the streets of Japan

Porsche 962 driven through the streets of Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch this Hotchkis Porsche 962 obliterate Laguna Seca at Rennsport

Zach Bowman — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Etc., Videos, Porsche, Celebrities, Racing

There are many things to love about the Rennsport Reunion. Stacks of beautiful Porsche metal, the chance to meet racing legends face to face and the sound of historic race cars barking at the paddock walls all make for an experience unlike any other. But for us, the best part is watching those vintage racers take to a track like Laguna Seca in anger. This year, Mark Hotchkis hopped behind the wheel of the Hotchkis Porsche 962 for a few quick laps on the renowned road circuit once again. He wasn't there for a leisurely Sunday drive.

Hotchkis wasted no time slicing through traffic and generally consuming tarmac like only a properly-wielded 962 can. The Replay XD guys were kind enough to strap a few dozen cameras to the car to give us an idea of the action from every angle, and the result is pretty entertaining way to blow four minutes and change. Hit the jump to check it out for yourself.

Continue reading Watch this Hotchkis Porsche 962 obliterate Laguna Seca at Rennsport

Watch this Hotchkis Porsche 962 obliterate Laguna Seca at Rennsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Craigslist Find of the Day: Rare Lancia LC2 Group C racer

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ferrari, Lancia, Racing

1983 Lancia LC2 Group C racecar - Click above for large image gallery

Last sold on these shores in 1982, the Lancia brand has pretty much slipped into obscurity for most Americans, but there was a time when Lancia was on top of the world. From the mid-'70s to the early-'90s, Lancia racked up an impressive tally of international race wins and championships with its doorstop-like Stratos and Montecarlo successor. With the recent Chrysler/Fiat nuptials, the Lancia brand is having a bit of a renaissance, but only as a source of future badge-engineered Chryslers. That's why it's so refreshing to come across something like the car we just found on Craigslist: A genuine Lancia LC2 Group C racecar.

In 1983, Lancia introduced the LC2, a closed-cockpit Group C car co-developed with Ferrari. It went up against the legendary Porsche 956, and later the 962, with a big power advantage courtesy of the dual-turbocharged Ferrari V8 in the engine bay. Its 720 horsepower helped the LC2 win a string of pole positions, but the car wasn't very reliable. It did win a few races for Lancia from 1983-1986, and continued to run in privateer campaigns until the early '90s, but Lancia eventually dropped out of sportscar racing altogether at the end of 1986 in order to concentrate on rallying. The Lancia Delta went on to be one of the most successful rally cars in history, but the LC2 remained the pinnacle of Lancia's rise to glory in international sportscar racing.

The LC2 available on Craigslist is chassis number 2 of just 5 ever built. It ran under the works Martini livery from '83-'86 scoring a win at the Imola 1000K in 1983 at the hands of Teo Fabi and Hans Heyer. Bob Wollek and Alessandro Nannini piloted 002 to a fastest lap after winning the pole at Le Mans in '84. It finished 8th in that 24 hour run, but followed up with a 246-mile-per-hour Mulsanne Straight clocking the following year when it qualified P3 and finished 6th. Chassis number 002 ran in more races than any other LC2 before retiring in 1986. Riccardo Patrese, Michele Alboreto, Mauro Baldi and Lucio Cesario were the other drivers who got seat time in Chassis 002 before it was sold off to a private party in 1988.

Canepa recently put 4,000 hours and $350,000 into a 100-point restoration of the car and is now offering it for sale at $1,250,000. That might seem like a lot of money for a racecar that only scored one win and never really lived up to its promise, but it's not likely you'll find another LC2 cheaper anytime soon. For fans of the Lancia marque, the LC2 ranks right up there with the Fulvia HF, 037 Rally and Delta S4 in the pantheon of Lancia racecars.

Gallery: 1983 Lancia LC2 Group C

[Source: Canepa Design via Craigslist]

Craigslist Find of the Day: Rare Lancia LC2 Group C racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Hotchkis Porsche 962 laps up Laguna Seca

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Porsche

GTP Hotchkis Porsche 962 -- click image above to watch the video

In the mid-Eighties, Porsche released the 962, a long-wheelbase variant of the 956, to compete in IMSA's GTP class and later in Group C (as the 962C). Even though IMSA's GTP rules stipulated that only one (unfortunately named) KKK turbocharger could be used, the 962 was bloody-your-nose fast.

This past weekend at the Monterey Historics, Mark Hotchkis proved just how fast the 962 was/is by lapping half the field in his class during a ten lap race. That's kinda ridiculous. In fact, the only car that gave Hotchkis any trouble at all was a nine-year newer ALMS Kremer-Porsche Spyder K8 (the same type of car Derek Bell raced at his final Le Mans). Anywho, we've got a righteous video of the 962 quite literally eating up Laguna Seca at 10/10s after the jump. Oh, and that metal wheel Hotchkis's left hand keeps fiddling with? That's the boost dial which can summon up to 50 pounds of pressure. Put another way, crank your computer's volume all the way up. Thanks to Dan K for the video.

[Source: Grand Touring Prototype]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hotchkis Porsche 962 laps up Laguna Seca

VIDEO: Hotchkis Porsche 962 laps up Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: IMSA L�wenbr�u 911 tribute car

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Auctions, Porsche, Specialty

Click above for image gallery of the 1984 Porsche 911 Lowenbrau tribute car

Today's eBay Find of the Day is a special 1984 Porsche 911 RS 3.2 Tribute Car. What makes it special is its paintjob. Porsche fans will no doubt recognize the Löwenbräu livery on this 911. Löwenbräu was one of the first sponsors of Porsche's then-new 962 endurance racer when it entered IMSA GT racing back in 1984. The 962 was launched with driver Al Holbert, co-drivers Derek Bell, Chip Robinson, and Al Unser Jr., and sponsor Löwenbräu. "The Löwenbräu Car" became the most successful IMSA GTP racer in the series' history.

The actual vehicle up for bid is a "very clean" 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera with 140,000 miles on the clock, but only 40K since a complete engine rebuild. The car was completely stripped and repainted in factory Grand Prix White. It also received a new RS style interior and upgrades to the gearbox and suspension. Racing bodywork and additional touches were added to make it look like a period racer, although the car is set up for the street. Basically it's a chance to channel your inner Holbert on the road. The seller has it at a Buy It Now price of $49,990.

Gallery: 1984 Porsche 911 RS 3.2 Lowenbrau Tribute Car

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: IMSA L�wenbr�u 911 tribute car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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