PETERSEN MUSEUM SHOWCASES THE PORSCHE 956 AND 962

Upper Level of the Petersen Automotive Museum  Image Credit: 2018 Petersen Museum

Luftgekuhlt Exhibits Porsche Prototype Giants at the Petersen

Words and Images By Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The Petersen Automotive Museum has opened the second of two Luftgekuhlt exhibits. The first which opened May 15th highlighted the work of German manufacturer and Porsche tuner RUF Automobile. This exhibit focuses on the history and legacy of the Porsche 956 series race cars and is called Prototype Giants. The exhibit will be on display only until November 19th. 

Late production (1983) Porsche 956 Chassis 113 on display in the Luftgekuhlt Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Porsche 956 was built to comply with the 1982 FIA World Sportcar Championship's new Group C regulations which dealt with fuel economy. It was the first car to feature an aluminum monocoque chassis and ground effect aerodynamics. The factory 956's secured the first three spots at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year, leading every lap. Stephen Bellof in 1983 set the overall lap record in a 956 at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, which stood for 35 years until a modified Porsche 919 Hybrid eclipsed it in 2018. 

1985 Three-Time Race-Winning Factory Rothmans 962C Chassis 002 Driven by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

The 962 was created to meet the updated IMSA GTP specifications and customer demand, with Group C entrants taking the 962C nameplate. The 962 became one of the most dominant race cars ever, winning the World Sportcar Championship in 1985 and 1986, the IMSA GT Championship from 1985-1988, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986 and 1987, the Rolex Daytona 24 in 1989, as well as other series. 

Alwin Springer, Vice President of ANDIAL Porsche, stated that due to the success of the 956/962 Porsche 911 sales increased from an average of 30,000 units per year in 1982 to 60,000 units by 1986.

Mr. Alwin Springer was the Vice President of ANDIAL Porsche from 1975-1996 and President of Porsche Motorsport North America from 1997-2004.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

In the IMSA series, the 2.8-litre engine quickly proved insufficient.  IMSA races were shorter and therefore were more of a sprint race.  Group C races were all fuel limited so fuel mileage and the weight of the car was critical.  IMSA races had no fuel limitations.  Torque more than horsepower was required.  It was quickly realized that an increase in engine size was needed and the move to 3.2-litre engine was taken on by ANDIAL.  Led by Alwin Springer, Dieter Inzenhofer, and Arnold Wagner ANDIAL did much of the development work in cooperation with Al Holbert.  Jim Busby Racing, which was based close to ANDIAL in Southern California also assisted in various ways.

The Porsche Type 935/82 Twin Turbo Motor Powered the European Spec. 962's.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1985 Coca-Cola Livered Porsche 962 Chassis 102 Driven by Bob Akin and Hans Stuck.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1990 Art Sports Porsche 962C Chassis 146 Driven By Hurley Haywood.
Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1988  Leyton House Porsche 962C Chassis CK6-01 Built by Kremer.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1989 Miller High Life / BF Goodrich Porsche 962 Chassis 108C That Won the 1989 Rolex Daytona 24 When Driven by Bob Wollek, Derek Bell, and John Andretti.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1987 Copenhagen Porsche 962 Chassis HR003 Campaigned by A.J. Foyt.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The cars on display in "the Vault" include one 956 and six 962's. There is also another 962 located within the museum.

The 1985 Victor Computer Porsche 962C as seen on display upstairs at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

How do you tell the difference between a 956 and 962?  All 956's were built with a "long-tail" rear wing while many 962's will have the so called "hang-on" rear wing.  For safety requirements the 962 has a longer chassis.  The distance between the door and the rear opening of the front wheel well on the 956 is about a hand's breadth.  The 962 is appreciably and visibly longer.  Also, there were only 28 956's built and 91 962's so the chance of seeing a 962 at a vintage racing event is much greater. 

TAGS:  Alwin Springer, ANDIAL, Brandon O'Brien, Motor Driven Images, Petersen Automotive Museum, Porsche, Prototype Giants, 956, 962