​Porsche 962 Works Car (Chassis #007)

Porsche 962-007 Works

One of just two new lightweight Rothmans Works car built for 1987 and then updated to Shell Dunlop spec’ for Le Mans 1988. Restored to its ‘87 Works Rothmans livery and sprint body spec’.
The first of the three famed Shell Dunlop cars that would in 1988 heroically try to extend Porsche’s dominance at Le Mans for one more year, against the rapidly advancing tide of carbon-fibre tubbed, far more frugal Jaguars. However its life had started the year before as one of two newly built ‘lightweight’ Rothmans factory team cars, uniquely equipped with the latest 3-litre engine which at last dispensed with air-cooling even for the cylinder block, making the 962 the first ever fully water cooled flat six Porsche.

Its job was as a replacement for Wollek and Mass, whose 004 car now belonged to Joest and after a sixth place finish at Monza and a fourth at Silverstone, it was to have headed to Le Mans. In the event its season was ended by a crash at Weissach whilst being shaken down before loading for the 24-hour race by Hans Stuck, who subsequently famously had to give up his own car as a result, and Stuck famously went on to win, with Derek Bell, in the team’s spare car. After Le Mans that year, Porsche withdrew from the world championship as a works team.