The Porsche 911r, a lightweight racing variant of the iconic 911, often sparks debate among enthusiasts, particularly regarding its rear flares. Discussions frequently arise comparing them to the later RS models and understanding their true design origins. This exploration delves into the specifics of the 911R’s bodywork, performance features, and racing heritage, drawing insights from expert sources like John Starkey and Jurgen Barth.
Early 911R prototypes and the subsequent limited production run of 20 cars all featured flared arches. However, these flares are distinct from the more commonly recognized RS flares. Some argue they bear a closer resemblance to the ST flares, which predated the RS and potentially influenced the RSR designs. The 911R’s rear arches, while flared, presented a more subtle “bump out” compared to the pronounced widebody of the RS. Factory photos from the 1968 model year introduction, as cited by Starkey and Barth, showcase 911Rs with relocated oil tanks ahead of the right rear wheel, 7×15 inch rear wheels, fiberglass bumpers, twin exhausts, lightweight fiberglass tail lights, and perspex windows, yet the rear flare remains a point of nuanced observation.
Versions prepared for events like the ’69 Tour de Corse, sometimes equipped with prototype four-cam motors, further illustrate the evolution. While some photos show a rolled lip on the rear arches, it’s described as less dramatic than the aftermarket flares sometimes mistakenly attributed to the R. The body construction itself was a marvel of lightweight engineering. Bauer manufactured the fenders, doors, roof, bumpers, dashboard, and both lids from fiberglass. Despite initial mentions of fiberglass doors, it’s widely accepted that the doors and hinges were aluminum, a detail corroborated by multiple sources. Extensive drilling of the floors further reduced weight.
Rolling on 6ET36 and 7ET49 x15 Fuchs wheels, the 911R’s slightly flared arches accommodated the wider track. Plexiglas side windows, louvered rear windows, quarter lights with circular vents, a 2mm Plexidur rear window, and a 4mm glass windshield completed the lightweight build. Four prototypes (chassis #s 305876S(R1), 306681S(R2), 307670S(R3), 307671S(R4)) preceded the production models (chassis #s 11899001 to 11899020) built from September 1967.
In racing, the 911R faced stiff competition in its prototype class, which included formidable rivals like the Porsche 910, 907, and 908. However, it achieved notable success, most famously a victory in the ‘Marathon de la Route’, an arduous 84-hour race at the Nürburgring, in a tip-equipped variant. This victory underscored the 911R’s endurance and capability, especially when considering it often competed against privately owned and modified 911S models, which were far more prevalent on the racing scene. The 911R remains a fascinating chapter in Porsche’s racing history, embodying a commitment to lightweight design and performance innovation.
