Feb 10

Feb 10 VIN: the works / Mario Daolio Porsche 911 2.0 R chassis 002R

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History of chassis 002R

Chassis 002R was the first production-spec. 911 R completed; it came from a batch of 20 cars (001R to 020R) that followed the initial run of four prototypes (numbered R1 through R4).

Like most 911 Rs, chassis 002R was painted Light Ivory. It was one of three cars dispatched to Monza in late October of 1967 for an attack on a series of new World Speed Records.

The record attempt had begun on Monday October 30th with a Porsche 906, but owing to suspension damage caused by the rough track, proceedings soon had to be abandoned. As the regulations permitted the resumption of the record attempt within 48 hours, Porsche quickly arranged to send three 911 Rs to Monza.

Chassis 002R and 003R would serve as spare parts mules while 001R would act as the record car (to be driven by Jo Siffert, Rico Steinemann, Dieter Spoerry and Charles Vogele).

Because there was not enough time to organise the customs formalities for a quota of spares for the record attempt, chassis 002R was sent to Monza under its own power wearing the registration S-ZL 307. However, the Swiss authorities refused to let the car into the country on noise grounds. As a result, the driver was forced to take a furious all-night detour around Switzerland via Lyon, Grenoble and Turin.

In the meantime, the 911 R that would be used for the record attempt (chassis 001R) underwent final preparation at the factory. It was then trucked to Italy along with 003R.

Because the rules stated that all spare parts used in the record attempt had to be carried in the car, 002R and 003R were stripped of any relevant equipment before 001R got underway. All that was allowed in the pits were spare wheels, jacks, spark plugs, fuel and oil.

The record attempt resumed at 8pm on Tuesday 31st. Despite miserable weather, often appalling visibility and a couple of stops for damper changes, Porsche went on to claim five World Speed Records and 14 international class records.

Following its return to Stuttgart, chassis 002R was officially signed off on November 6th 1967.

In late December it appeared at Porsche’s Hockenheim press day wearing the plate S-04516. Vic Elfored was on hand to demonstrate it to the throng of assembled journalists.

Porsche’s competition department retained 002R for a little under two years, during which time it served as an R&D mule and was equipped with a number of different powertrains.

In September 1969 the car was sold to Mario Daolio, an Ethiopian-domiciled doctor from Italy. Porsche supplied Dr. Daolio with a fresh 911 R engine and gearbox and a correct set of Scheel bucket seats. Upon arrival in Asmara, 002R was locally registered and contested a number of races to include an outing at the Circuito di Taulu in Massaua in December ‘69.

Mario Daolio returned to Italy in 1980 and in 1984 chassis 002R was sold to Jun Euda of Tokyo. The still unrestored car remained in Japan until 2006, at which point it headed to the USA showing a little under 33,000km.