For half a century, Porsche automobiles have been favorites of race fans and drivers in endurance events, rallies, hill climbs, Trans Am, Can-Am, and GT racing. This photohistory chronicles more than 100 racing Porsches that have been campaigned at circuits the world over, including Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring, Spa, Nurburgring, and Leguna Seca, to name a few. In addition to color photography of the cars today and archival race images depicting the cars and top drivers from the annals of motorsport, the author presents the histories of such legendary Porsches as the 550 Spyder, a customer version of which gained notoriety as the car in which James Dean died; the open-wheel 718/2 with which Porsche unsuccessfully contested Formula 1 in 1959 and 1960; the 904 GTS that dominated European circuits in 1964 and 1965; the 917's which in 1972 and 1973 halted McLaren's Can-Am cakewalk; the 1976 Martini-liveried 935; the pair of Rothman-sponsored 959's that easily swept Paris-Dakar in 1986; and today's successful 911 GT cars.

This definitive volume tells the full story of Porsche’s famed sports prototype and competition sports cars from 1953-1973. Authoritatively written and beautifully illustrated, it chronicles the ‘giant-killing’ years when Porsche was locked in combat with its arch rival Ferrari, and celebrates Porsche’s victories at events such as Le Mans and the Targa Florio, and its excellent placings in other World Sports Car Championship events.

The fascinating story of Porsche's top class racing exploits, and the German-built machines that often dominated the competition world. This book is the definitive record of Porche's racing cars and racing history between 1953 and 1975. Included are 300 excellent photos.

Powered by Porsche – the Alternative Race Cars is a thorough and fascinating account of the racing cars that were powered by Porsche engines, but where the chassis and development of the car was carried out by others. The Porsche company in Zuffenhausen, Germany, can probably be said to be the most successful marque ever for victories in the motor racing scene. Likewise many firsts in innovation have come with the name Porsche attached. Many major racing car producers such as Elva, Lotus, Lola, or March, as well as many smaller independents, at some time featured a Porsche engine in their chassis. Demand for the services and supply of cars, chassis, and parts from Porsche, often outstripped their ability to deliver during the late ’70s to early ’80s. With many new projects in the rapidly expanding Porsche organisation, race car projects had to be prioritised. This would lead to the creation of the replicas, as opposed to the factory-built works race cars, and even Porsche was building ‘replica’ 935s to supply to clients, continuing into the 962 era. In turn, a whole new, highly specialised, high quality industry grew up to meet the demand for Porsche-powered racers. In this fascinating book we meet the racing cars, the teams and the people who turned to Porsche to utilise the power from, perhaps, the greatest of all engine makers. This is thought to be first book on the subject, covering the entire history of Porsche engines, detailed engine specifications, non-Porsche chassis, and race details, as well as team histories with anecdotes from drivers. It is illustrated with many previously unpublished photos, and provides fascinating reading for all racing fans, as well as Porsche enthusiasts.

Celebrate the rebirth of the world's most stunning high-performance automobile. Porsche made history when it brought turbocharging to the racing world in the form of the 917. When strict regulations regarding engine displacement took away the option of bigger engines, manufacturers turned to forced induction. In its wildest trim, the original 12-cylinder turbocharged Porsche racing engine yielded as much as 1,400 horsepower! Porsche's official philosophy was that racing cars must have a connection to street cars, so it was preordained that Porsche would eventually produce a turbocharged version of its air-cooled flat-six cylinder engine. The resulting 930 Turbo appeared in the spring of 1975 in Europe. Acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour took a scant 5.5 seconds, and its top speed was 155 miles per hour. The Turbo's distinctive rear wing let the world know that this was something very special. It was nothing less than the rebirth of the high-performance automobile. At a time when the big-block engines in America's so-called "muscle cars" were putting out 180 horsepower and the engines in exotic supercars weren't much more ambitious, the lightweight Porsche was a genuine rocket. Porsche Turbo: The Inside Story of Stuttgart's Turbocharged Road and Race Cars celebrates Porsche's five decades of turbocharged supercar performance, both on the track and on the street. It covers all of the major racing cars as well as the turbocharged street cars, including the 930, 935, 924, 944, 968, 911, and Cayenne Panamera. Don't let this one fly past you!

Technical car talk.

Road & motor vehicles: general interest.