24h Le Mans
The car that won the GTS 3.0 class in 1972 was found in a sorry state but the classic car department at Porsche has restored it to its former glory.The German constructor is currently presenting the finished article for the first time at the world's largest classic car show, the Essen Techno Classica, in Germany.
American racing driver Mike Keiser purchased one of 24 of this particular version of the Porsche 911 and raced it in the USA, including at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and in the 1972 World Endurance Championship.
However, it was at Le Mans 24 Hours that Keiser was the most successful with his car. Under the banner of Louis Meznarie, the #41 finished 13th overall and won the GTS 3.0 class.
The 911 was forgotten under a dust sheet for several decades until an American classic car collector came across it. It was sent to the Porsche classic centre whose experts did a remarkable job restoring the bodywork that had corrosion damage due to a botched repair after an accident.
The car belonging to the RSR series, for RennSport Rennwagen (motor racing sports car) is now showing off its new roof and fetching original pale yellow colour at the Techno Classica Essen (6-10 April).
Cécile Bonardel / ACO Translated from French by Emma Paulay
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, 10 & 11 JUNE 1972. The Porsche 911 that won the GTS 3.0 class in 1972 has been restored.
