Porsche 962 C

Campaigned by the Porsche works team and well-funded private entries, the 956 and 962 captured the World Endurance Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championship (1982–1985), the World Sports Prototype Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships (1986–1987), the IMSA GTP Manufacturer’s Championship (1985–1988), and the IMSA GTP Driver’s Championship (1985–1987), along with numerous other important victories and series championships.

Among the private teams racing Porsches in the period was Kremer Racing. Started by brothers Erwin and Manfred Kremer in 1962, the eponymous team would achieve great success in the 1970s, producing bodywork of its own design for the 935, culminating with an overall win at Le Mans in 1979. Kremer would transition to the prototype class with the introduction of the 956, and arguably provided the Porsche factory team with its stiffest European-based competition throughout the 1980s.

For the 1987 season, Kremer purchased a 962 from Porsche, chassis 962-118, that it would use for sprint races. For the team’s efforts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, another 962 was built by Kremer itself, utilizing a new Thompson-built aluminum honeycomb tub, which was renowned for its rigidity and lightness as compared to Porsche’s factory tubs, which were made of aluminum sheet. That car, offered here, was built to later C specification and would become a dedicated weapon that was optimized for Le Mans. It would race there for the team in 1987 and 1988 – its only competitive outings. Sponsorship for the car was provided by a Japanese real estate consortium, Leyton House, which itself was a fascinating and iconic brand in motor sports circles. In a not-too-uncommon practice, this car raced with the chassis plate 962-118 in period and was later renumbered CK6-87 by Kremer.

For the 1987 24 Hours of Le Mans, George Fouché, Franz Konrad, and Wayne Taylor drove this 962C to a 4th Overall finish. In 1988, Fouché, Kris Nissen, and Harald Grohs placed 8th Overall. Both of these impressive finishes at the world’s most difficult sports car endurance race showcase the incredible abilities of the Kremer Racing team and this 962C.

Chassis CK6-87 would remain in Kremer Racing’s collection until it was very reluctantly sold to UK-based collector Tony O’Neill. Correspondence in the car’s fascinating history file document the sale, which included a Leyton House Crew fire suit and team jacket, that had been worn by Erwin Kremer, along with an original spare longtail bodywork section that had been used at Le Mans. In 2002, the 962C was sold to Henry Pearman, where it became part of the largest collection of Group C cars in the world. Mr. Pearman sold the 962C to collector and dealer Paul Michaels in 2007, after which the car was mechanically refurbished and run at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It then remained on static display until it was purchased by the consignor at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island sale in 2019. The consignor entrusted renowned marque specialist Gunnar Racing of West Palm Beach to return the 962C to running condition, with invoices totaling over $41,000, including cosmetic and mechanical repairs. Since then, the 962C was used at a single-track day event and, today, it still carries all the hallmarks of a machine that was only raced twice in period and has remained in specialist care since new.

Incredibly original, well documented, and resplendent in its searing Leyton House livery, this Kremer Porsche 962C evokes the period as well as any in existence. These legendary sports racing machines redefined the racing landscape and conquered all challengers for more than a decade. Such domination is embodied in this amazing example, which promises a rewarding experience whether used for static display or on the track.