Niki Lauda’s Porsche racer from the 60s goes on sale

A particularly rare Porsche 910 racecar – one out of 12 short-tail models ever made and one out of six street-legal ones – will cross the auction block later this month.

The ownership record mentions Niki Lauda, who later became known as the three-time Formula 1 champion. He still wasn’t one when he drove this Porsche. The listing says it is believed that this 910 was built in the mid-1960s specifically for European hill climb racing events. More often than not, these cars were equipped with a 2.0-liter flat-six engine rated at 220 PS (217 hp / 162 kW). Eight-cylinder versions emerged shortly before the production stopped.

Once out and about, the 910 proceeded to win the Targa Florio in 1967 and occupy the whole pedestal at the 1000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring. This particular example was the earliest made with the chassis number 001. The Porsche racing team of the time seldom drove it, preferring newer modifications, and it soon went into private hands.

In 1969, Niki Lauda, back then still a private team racing driver and 20 years old, piloted this 910 through several laps of the Österreichring in Austria. His team landed on the 21st position in the overall ranking that season. Later on, Lauda would transfer to the Euro Formula 2 and begin his brilliant career in that championship.

According to the listing, the car on sale retains its stock engine but benefits from modernized exhaust and suspension components. It is also FIA-approved for historical car races. The current owner has held onto it since 1994.