10 of the Best Racing Porsches of All Time

Posted on 28. Aug, 2010 by PB in 911

Choosing the top ten racing Porsches is not only a daunting task but is also somewhat subjective. For me, however, there are ten clear winners:

The 356 and the 360

The Porsche 356 was born in 1948 and was manufactured until 1965. Although, in 1939, Porsche constructed three

Type 64s for a race that was later cancelled, the 356 is considered the manufacturer’s first production model. Porsche introduced the 360 Cisitalia in 1949 when Piero Dusio paid a large amount of money to commission the car (although part of the money was used to free Ferdinand Porsche from the prison where he was being held for ransom). A supercharged flat 12 engine and a streamlined body gave the 360 Cisitalia a speed of 200 mph (320 km/h).

The 550 and the 718

Inspired by the 356, the Porsche 550 Spyder was manufactured between 1953 and 1956. In 1955, James Dean was driving fast in his 550 Spyder, which he dubbed ‘Little Bastard’, when he crashed and died. Building on the 550A model, Porsche improved suspension and bodywork when the 718 was created. The 718 turned out to be even more successful in competition.

The 911, the 907 and the 908

With a distinctive design, the Porsche 911 has been modified many times since it was first manufactured in 1963. In 1999, the 911 was voted one of the top five cars of the century and is the only model of the top five still in production. The Porsche 907 was introduced in 1967 and finished fifth at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The driver’s seat was changed to the right side, thereby giving the driver an advantage on race tracks that run clockwise. The 907 remained in production until 1971. The Porsche 908 was created in 1968, and in 1969, Porsche removed the long tails and roof, lowering the weight by 100 kg. There were several versions in the 908’s lifetime: the 908 KH Coupé, the 908/2 Spyder ’69, the 908/3 Spyder ’70/’71 and the 908/3 Spyder Turbo ’75 – ’81.

The 959, the 962 and the RS Spyder

The Porsche 959 was first manufactured in 1986 to compete in Group B and was later manufactured for the public. It was considered one of the most advanced sports cars ever produced. Porsche introduced the 962 in 1984. The 962 remained competitive until the mid-1990s. Since 2005, Porsche has been producing the RS Spyder. The modern model was named after the 1950s’ 550 Spyder and has proven to be very successful in competition. For sports car lovers who are looking for a new experience gifts that go fast are great 50th birthday ideas, and Porsche offers many options.

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Tags: porsche 356, porsche 360, porsche 550, porsche 718, porsche 908, porsche rs spider