A 1985 Porsche 962 Group C race automotive is just too beneficial for normal use, not to mention one of many works vehicles carrying the enduring Rothmans livery. So who higher to take the wheel for a uncommon outing in a single than Ben Collins—the previous Stig of “Prime Gear” fame? RM Sotheby’s put Collins behind the wheel of a Rothmans 962 earlier than it heads to public sale on June 9.

Collins calls the 962 his hero automotive, and it is easy to see why. It was essentially the most dominant automotive in one of many biggest eras of sports activities automotive racing. The Eighties noticed the rise of two premiere lessons that generated intense competitors between producers—Group C in Europe and the unique IMSA GTP class in North America—and the 962 was the automotive to beat in each.

The 962 was an evolution of the Porsche 956, with an extended wheelbase designed to fulfill IMSA crash-protection necessities. IMSA specified that the driving force’s ft wanted to be behind the entrance axle, which wasn’t the case with the 956.

1985 Porsche 962 Rothmans Group C race automotive

The mechanical package deal from the sooner 956 wasn’t modified. The 962 was powered by a twin-turbo 2.6-liter flat-6 making about 630 hp, propelling a chassis weighing lower than 2,000 kilos. Add in ground-effects bodywork formed by legendary Porsche engineer Norbert Singer, and also you had a world beater.

The 962 received the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986 and 1987, persevering with the streak began by the 956, which was the successful automotive from 1982 to 1985. It continued to rack up race wins into the Nineties, and a few chassis have been even transformed into highway vehicles. That distinction allowed the 962 to take its closing Le Mans victory in 1994, with the successful automotive operating in a GT class for manufacturing vehicles, reasonably than as a prototype. 

Within the video, Collins notes some interval shortcomings, together with turbo lag and metal brakes that want a bit extra consideration than fashionable {hardware}. However the old-school nature of the 962 generally is a good factor as effectively. Not like fashionable prototype racers, the cockpit is pretty easy. It is recognizable to anybody who has pushed a Porsche 911 of comparable classic, Collins says. He additionally notes it’s extremely straightforward to drive and user-friendly.

This explicit chassis is a Group C model that raced at Le Mans 3 times, ending fifth in 1988. It is one in every of six unique works Rothmans vehicles, and would be the first works 962 Group C automotive provided on the market to the general public when it crosses the public sale block June 9. Examples that raced in IMSA have come up on the market earlier than.