Monterey 2009: Porsche cracks open the vault for Monterey Historics displays

August 20th, 2009 | Filed Under: Car Reviews

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 911 GT1 at the Monterey Historics – Click above for high-res image gallery

As the featured marque at the 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Porsche decided to open up their vault and bring out some of their most iconic race cars to entertain the crowd. About 150 Porsches were entered in the various classes of racing action over the weekend, but a special group of unique racers was on display in the paddock as well. All of the cars made it out to the track for some parade laps, but even standing still they had no trouble conveying that Porsche is a company committed to racing.

There were about a dozen great racers on hand, but four extra special cars stood out. On loan from the new Porsche Museum in Germany was a 1960 Type 718 Formula 2 car, a 1962 Type 804 Formula 1 racer, the “Grandma” 1962 Type 718 W-RS eight-cylinder Spyder, and the GT1 98LM that helped Porsche score a 1-2 at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. Outside that group, you could find a 917/30, a 906 Longtail, a very special cadmium-hooded RSK, a 550 Spyder, an RS60, a 917K, plus a 956C and a newer RS Spyder. In separate display areas, you could also find the Bruce Leven Havoline 962, a 908 Longtail, and the Jules 936.

It was a pretty spectacular showing of significant race cars from Porsche, and that doesn”t even include the other 130 or so privateer Porsches that competed over the weekend in several different classes. They remain truly remarkable cars and their owners did them proud. Check out our high-res gallery below and the full press release after the jump.

Gallery: Monterey 2009: Porsche Display at Monterey Historics