The Porsche 962 is one of the most successful endurance race cars ever built. Introduced in 1984 as an evolution of the 956, it was redesigned to meet IMSA GTP safety rules by relocating the driver’s feet behind the front axle. Those revisions produced a safer, more adaptable chassis that allowed the 962 to enjoy an unusually long and dominant competitive life.
Powered by turbocharged flat-six engines ranging from 2.6 to 3.2 liters, the 962 produced up to 750 horsepower. Its aluminum monocoque, efficient aerodynamics, and exceptional reliability made it ideal for endurance classics such as Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring. Porsche also sold customer cars, allowing private teams to compete—and win—at the highest level.
The 962 claimed overall victories at Le Mans in 1986 and 1987, multiple IMSA championships, and success in the World Sportscar Championship, driven by legends including Ickx, Bell, Stuck, and Holbert. Remaining competitive into the early 1990s, it became a lasting symbol of Porsche’s engineering depth.
A featured video from NM2255 | Raw Car Sounds on YouTube captures the sound and speed of a 1987 962C Short Tail at Salzburgring, showcasing its 850 kg weight and 700 hp twin-turbo flat-six in action.
