Launched in 1970, the De Tomaso Pantera combined Italian styling with the power of an American-made V-8 engine. With wedge styling credited to Tom Tjaarda of Ghia, and a steel unibody monocoque chassis devised by former Lamborghini engineer Gian Paolo Dallara, final assembly transpired at Ghia’s factory in Vignale, Italy. Early impressions were ..
Following its domination of the Can-Am racing series in 1972 and 1973, Porsche used its experience with turbocharging technology gained from motor sports for serial sports car production. Introduced at the 1974 Paris Motor Show, the Type 930 was distinguished by a 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-six engine, flared wheel arches, uprated suspension, a..
Pitting 12 of the era’s most competitive drivers from disciplines including Formula 1, SCCA, IMSA, and NASCAR, the original IROC (International Race of Champions) series debuted to a huge audience on ABC Television’s Wide World of Sports on October 27, 1973. Featuring identically prepared cars, the IROC series was organized by the top r..
Although Porsche had reached the pinnacle of international motor sports by sweeping the FIA World Sportscar Championship for three years beginning in 1970, FIA rule changes after 1972 rendered the marque’s fearsome 917 sports prototypes obsolete. It was then that a new “works” competition program aimed at the Group 4 GT class commenced at Porsch..
The BMW 02 Series is well known worldwide as a revolutionary model that changed the landscape for small luxury sport coupes. Long the purview of the Porsche and Alfa Romeo, this class of automobile became incredibly popular in the 1960s, and BMW’s tasteful design resonated with a youthful subset of professionals that prized brand recognition, st..
For 1976, Porsche introduced the 930 to the US market, bearing the “Turbo Carrera” nameplate underneath its distinctive whale tail. Featuring a 3.0-liter flat-six, it utilizes a single KKK turbocharger, pushing out 256 bhp. Following its success in 1976, Porsche revised key details for the 1977 model year, including adding power brakes, 16” Fuch..
Porsche debuted the 911 series in 1964 after the long and successful run of the 356. Instead of a 4-cylinder, the new model featured a 2-liter air-cooled flat-six and was smoother, more powerful, and quieter than the outgoing 356. Since then, the timeless design of the 911 has been built upon year after year.
By 1973, the 911 had been f..
For the 1974 racing season, Porsche significantly improved the original RSR platform and offered a revised, road-going Carrera 3.0 RS. With a new type 911/75 engine, the 3.0 RSR boasted 330 bhp and weighed just 950 kg. The new model featured four-piston 917-type brakes, magnesium center-lock wheels, slide-valve mechanical fuel injection, a remot..
The 1970s marked the culmination of Porsche’s dominance in the prototype era and the beginning of a works racing program based on the 911. Introduced for the 1976 season, the 934 was Porsche’s highly anticipated Group 4 variant of the all-new turbocharged 930 – a factory-built racing machine that maintained close ties to its road car counterpart..
In 1973, Roger Penske created a racing series called the International Race of Champions – or IROC. Equally ambitious and unique in concept, the IROC series aimed to place the world’s best racing drivers in identical cars to compete against each other over several rounds at leading US venues.
To compete in his special racing series, Pen..