1974 Porsche RSR
REQUeST A printable PDF document with Photos
Chassis Number 9114609040

The First 1974 RSR Built
Factory “Werks” Car
LeMans 24 Hours GT Class Winner 1975

TEAM: GELO Racing Team
Drivers: John Fitzpatrick, Jurgen Barth, Gijs Van Lennep, Toine Hezemans
Engine: 3.0 Liters, Air Cooled Flat 6
Horsepower: 350
Weight: 1984

This Porsche RSR was the first of only 37 RSRs built by Porsche in 1974. Sponsored by George Loos this car was prepared and campaigned by the Porsche factory in selected World Championship races in 1974 and 1975, and European championship races in 1975.

In 1975 the car not only won the European Championship with John Fitzpatrick driving but also finished fifth overall and first in class at the Le Mans 24 hours.
At the end of it’s competition career the car was completely restored in the “Werks 1” shop at the factory and then put on display in the Porsche museum.
In the mid 1980’s Ben Pon acquired the car in a trade with the Porsche Factory. It remained in his care until purchased by Bruce Canepa in the late 1980’s.

This car is the most historically significant and period correct RSR in the world.

The Museum quality restoration performed by the Factory was excellent but to insure that the car was also track ready Canepa Design has just completed a 100% mechanical restoration and race prep on the car. The engine has been totally rebuilt to exact 1974 specification. The ignition system inspected, and new plugs, cap, rotor, and plug wires installed. The mechanical fuel pump and injectors were cleaned and rebuilt. The oil cooler has been pressure tested and sonic cleaned. New factory RSR fuel pumps were installed. The gearbox has been inspected and rebuilt. A new clutch pressure plate, disc and throwout bearing were installed. All the fuel and oil lines have been replaced. The shifter assembly was inspected and rebuilt.

The entire suspension has been cracked checked and refinished in correct period coatings. The Bilstein shocks have been rebuilt and restored. All new wheel bearings and seals were installed front and rear. The entire brake system has been rebuilt. New rotors and brake lines were fitted along with the original rebuilt calipers and master cylinders. The rear CV joints were inspected and serviced. All of the original wheels were inspected, crack checked and refinished. New Avon racing tires were mounted. A complete racing alignment was performed including spring rates and corner weights. The entire electrical system was inspected. A new battery and cut off switch installed.

In addition to the mechanical restoration a full cosmetic detail was also performed. The car was thoroughly cleaned inside and out. The drivers seat was recovered with factory correct material. New seat belts were installed (the original Factory belts were retained and come with the car).
When the restoration was complete the car was track tested and sorted. It is now ready for vintage racing or the concours field.

1974 FIA World Championship Races
1st SPA — Fitzpatrick, Barth
1st Nürburgring — Fitzpatrick, Barth

1975 FIA World Championship Races
1st in GT, LeMans 24 hours (5th overall) Fitzpatrick, Van Lennep
1st Dijon, Fitzpatrick, Hezemans

Winner 1975 European Championship
1st Imola — Fitzpatrick
8th Zeltweg — Fitzpatrick
1st Norisring — Fitzpatrick
2nd Misano — Fitzpatrick, Hezemans
3rd Monza 6 hours — Fitzpatrick
3rd Jarama — Fitzpatrick

John Fitzpatrick
One of the most successful sports car racers of the 1970’s and 1980’s Fitzpatrick drove works entries for BMW, Ford, Porsche and Jaguar. He won the European GT Championship in 1973 and 1974 driving for Porsche. In 1980 he won the IMSA championship in Dick Barbour’s 935 and also won the Porsche Cup for the third time.

Jürgen Barth
The son of racing legend Edgar Barth, Jürgen starting his career as an engineer for Porsche but soon followed in his fathers foot steps. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1977 in a Porsche 936, and in 1980 he won the Nürburgring 1000km. After he retired as a driver he co-founded the BPR Global GT Series

 

 

 

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