Porsche 718

Porsche 718 W -RS Spyder, 1961

From the Porsche 550 1957 Porsche 718 was developed that the successes of his predecessor could surpass.

It was developed in addition to the numerous variants Spyder ( RSK to RS 61) also for single-seaters for Formula 2 and Formula 1 and still privately used until 1964 in Formula 1.

7.1 Porsche database
7.2 Report on the Internet

Development

Outwardly, he was at first hardly be distinguished from its predecessor. The improvements put under the body. The motors and the brakes were powerful and above all, the car was lighter than the Porsche 550

The first engines rendered first 104 kW (142 hp) at 7500 rpm. This was until the year 1961 raised further so that it was in the last Porsche 718 at a speed of 8000 rpm at 118 kW (160 hp). This was mainly possible by increasing the displacement from 1.5 liters to 1.6 liters.

Sports car successes

Already in the 24- hour race at Le Mans 1958 Porsche was able to prove 718 RSK sensational 3rd and 4th place in the overall standings, with Jean Behra / Hans Herrmann in 1600 for the two-liter class and Edgar Barth / Paul Frère in the 1500s. The Porsche 550A of Carel Godin de Beaufort / Herbert Linge added the triumph, were directed at two of the three-liter Ferrari 250 TR " Testa Rossa " on the courts. It was not until 1966 should the displacement weak Porsche there can go on " podium " again.

In 1960 Porsche managed with Hans Herrmann / Olivier Gendebien first time to win in the 12- hour race at Sebring in a second major round of the World Sportscar Championship a total victory.

Also victorious were the 718 RS versions in the Targa Florio in 1959, 1960 and 1963. Between, you had to the larger-displacement Ferrari Dino 246SP bow.

With the Spyder Porsche won from 1958 to 1961 also continuously the European Hillclimb Championship, against, inter alia, the Borgward with their modern four-valve engines.

As a sports car successor came after the withdrawal from Formula 1 1963 Porsche 904

Porsche 718 W -RS Spyder at the 1000 km race at the Nürburgring 1962

Porsche RSK Spyder

The results 1957-1964

Formula 2

For use with Formula 2 race of the two-seater was first modified in 1958 to the " central link ", and from 1959 a true single-seater with open wheels.

In 1960, sat Rob Walker Stirling Moss a 718 at F2 race one. Since Moss was injured, replaced him at the Grand Prix of Solitude in Stuttgart, one of the two-wheeled pilots present for the Motorcycle Grand Prix, the British driver John Surtees. However, it won Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips on the Ferrari Dino, who was dominated as a Ferrari 156 in F1 next year.

The 1960 F2 for the advertised Grand Prix of Germany at the Nürburgring- Südschleife won Joakim Bonnier. In addition, we went to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where it was still driven on the banked corners variant. Hans Herrmann scored the 6th Place a championship point against the 2.5 liter engine much better motorized F1 Ferrari. The British stayed away in protest against the safety of high-speed line and the pending rule change.

Formula 1

Was a result of the rule change from 1961 the 718 and the successor of the Porsche 787 used later factory in F1.

While it developed early on an eight-cylinder, but the use was delayed again and again. At Zandvoort, the inferiority of the 718 and 787 in terms of chassis and engine showed drastically. Dan Gurney was overtaken and only tenth in the 15 car field small. The private driver Carel Godin de Beaufort and Hans Herrmann with a disappointing weak -injection engine were the laggards with 3 laps down. After all wore the reliability of the Porsche to the fact that in this Grand Prix of the Netherlands, close any running car finished the race, which was unique in the F1 for decades (until 2005).

At Spa -Francorchamps were downgraded back to carburetor instead of fuel injection, whereupon they finished sixth and seventh. On the fast track of Reims is nearly gave the first victory, but the wearing by failures of the Ferrari newcomer Giancarlo Baghetti it. Also on the domestic routes Solitude ( winner in not for the World Cup scoring run was Innes Ireland Lotus ) and Nurburgring were not satisfactory the results. A surprising success of the 718 in the Formula 1 was number four of Gerhard Mitter at the Grand Prix of Germany 1963.

A total of 718 proved for the F1 as too big and too weak. For the 1962 F1 season, therefore, the Porsche 804 was developed. Carel Godin de Beaufort sat a 718 continue even as a private driver in F1 one, had an accident with it but 1964 fatal.

Specifications

The Porsche 718 was built in the period 1957-1962. Although it was designed as a racing car, it could be approved for use on public roads. This was true for the Formula 2 and Formula 1 versions of course no longer true.

Car classification Roadster (automobile) Curb weight 12 Hours of Sebring European Hill Climb Championship Italy Richard von Frankenberg Harry Schell Wolfgang Seidel France Giorgio Scarlatti 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans John Fitch (racing driver) Ken Miles Heini Walter Graham Hill Argentina Christian Goethals Maurice Trintignant 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans Peter Ryan (racing driver) 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans Masten Gregory Nino Vaccarella Carlo-Maria Abate 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans Formula Two Dino (automobile) Ferrari 156 F1 Banked turn Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Camshaft Space frame Axle track Porsche 991 Porsche 901 Porsche 930 Porsche 993 Porsche 996 Porsche 997 Porsche 912 Porsche 924 Porsche 928 Porsche 944 Porsche 959 Porsche 968 Porsche 919 Hybrid Porsche 906 Porsche 907 Porsche 908 Porsche 910 Porsche 934 Porsche 935 Porsche 936 Porsche 956 Porsche 961 Porsche 962 Porsche RS Spyder Porsche 597 Porsche 989 Porsche Panamericana

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