One to Buy: ex-Ben Pon Jr. 1967 Porsche 910
Introduced mid-way through the 1966 season, the 910 served as Porsche’s replacement for the outgoing 906.
Based around a tubular steel spaceframe chassis into which were dropped various iterations of Porsche’s Flat 6 and Flat 8 engines, the 910 went on to become the breakthrough model that achieved outright wins at World Championship level for the Stuttgart firm.
Having initially been reserved for use in the European Hillclimb Championship during 1966 (which it won and subsequently went on to dominate throughout 1967 and ‘68), Porsche took the 910 into the World Sportscar Championship for 1967 where it achieved a hat-trick of outright wins at the Targa Florio, Nubrurgring 1000km and Mugello GP.
In total, 29 examples of the 910 were built with many of these having been successfully raced by privateers.
One such 910 was chassis 018 currently on offer at the Canepa showroom in Scotts Valley, California.
Originally supplied to Ben Pon Jr. whose father was the Dutch importer for Porsche and Volkswagen, chassis 018 ran a limited campaign in 1968 but nevertheless managed to collect a sixth place finish overall and first in class at the big Anderstorp race meet on June 16th and seventh place overall at the Norisring 200 miles a couple of weeks later.
For 1969, chassis 018 was sold to Hans-Dieter Blatzheim who continued to race it around Europe.
Today, chassis 018 has been restored to its original 1968 configuration and looks resplendent in Ben Pon’s signature orange colour scheme (the Dutch national racing colours).
Reprinted below is Canepa’s description:
VIN: 910.018
Purchased New by Ben Pon - Team Holland
#18 of only 29 Chassis Built
Driven by Ben Pon / Gijs van Lennep
2 Liter 911 Flat-6 Engine / 235 H.P.
Slide Valve Fuel-Injection
575 kilos / 1,268 lbs
Recently Restored
Rennsport 7 – Featured in “Icons of Porsche” Display
Notable Race History
This car was eligible in the most important historical races in the world including Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion & Le Mans Classic. It is, without a question, one of the most exciting historic racing cars to experience.
25 April 1968 - Monza 1000 km
Drivers: Ben Pon / Gijs van Lennep
13 July 1969 - Solituderennen Hockenheim
Driver: Hans-Dieter Blatzheim
10 August 1969 - Zeltweg 1000 km
Drivers: Hans-Dieter Blatzheim / Ferfried von Hohenzollern
28 May 1972 - Nürburgring 1000 km
Drivers: Bernd Becker / Elmar Clever / Karl-Heinz Tibor
27 May 1973 - Nürburgring 1000 km
Drivers: Bernd Becker / Elmar Clever
Within the pantheon of classic cars, some are merely old, while others are timeless. The Porsche 910-018 falls squarely into the latter category. The Porsche 910 lineage is more than mere metal and mechanics; it's an icon, a sleek silhouette that cut through the racetracks of the 60s like a blade through silk.
The Porsche 910-018 stands as a remarkable symbol of Porsche's racing heritage. Although Chassis 018 didn't achieve monumental victories like some of its siblings, it demonstrated resilience and competitiveness in various races.
But it’s not all about horsepower or lap times; it's about the experience. Every inch and curve tells a story of innovation and ambition. It's a reminder of when cars were bold, drivers were heroes, and every race was a page in the annals of history. Owning, or even just beholding, the Porsche 910-018 is to connect with a legacy of style and speed.
It featured a 1991cc overhead camshaft flat-six engine, renowned for its Bosch mechanical fuel injection system. This engine could produce a maximum power of 235bhp at 7600rpm and a torque of 155lb ft at 6200rpm, delivering astounding performance characteristics.
Porsche updated the later 910s, including Chassis 018, with a number of updates. One of the most noteworthy was a widened front and rear tracks to improve further road holding, which was introduced after the 910-012 was built. This offered a balanced and responsive driving experience combined with a lightweight frame and sophisticated suspension system featuring double wishbones and coil-over Bilstein dampers.
Today, 910-018 is a collector’s grail, a vehicle that only a true Porsche aficionado could properly enjoy. An engineering masterpiece with a rich history full of competitive spirit and racing prowess. 910-018 represents a significant chapter in Porsche's racing story. It’s journey from the track to becoming a valued collector's item mirrors the resilience and enduring appeal of the Porsche 910 series.
Today, Prototypes like 018 are not just reminders of racing triumphs but are also coveted for their engineering excellence and historical significance.
