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Porsche 718

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the 1950s/60s sports-racing car. For the 2016 Boxster / Cayman production sportscar, see Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman (982).
Porsche 718
two 718 RS61/60 at Nürburgring
Two Porsche 718 RS61/60 at Nürburgring
CategorySportscar, F1, F2
ConstructorPorsche
Designer(s)Wilhelm Hild[1]: 221 
PredecessorPorsche 550
Technical specifications[2]
ChassisSpaceframe chassis
Suspension (front)torsion bars, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)Watt-linkage, coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers
EngineType 547 1,498 cc (91.4 cu in) DOHC F4 boxer engine normally aspirated Mid-engined
Transmission5-speed manual
Weight570 kg (1,256.6 lb)
FuelPetrol
Competition history
Notable entrantsPorsche System Engineering,
Ecurie Maarsbergen
Notable driversGraham Hill, Stirling Moss, Wolfgang von Trips, Edgar Barth, Carel Godin de Beaufort, Jo Bonnier, Dan Gurney, Hans Herrmann, Nino Vaccarella, Gerhard Mitter
Debut1957 Le Mans – Sportscars
1960 Italian Grand Prix – F1
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
28 (F1)0 (F1)
3 (Targa Florio)
1 (12 Hrs of Sebring)		00
Teams' Championships0
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships5 (European Hill Climb)

The Porsche 718 is a series of one- or two-seat sports-racing cars built by Porsche from 1957 to 1962. An open-wheel single-seat model was developed for Formula racing.

Details

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The 718 was a development of the successful Porsche 550A with improvements made to the body work and suspension. The car's full name is 718 RSK, where "RS" stands for RennSport (sports-racing) and the "K" reflects the shape of the car's revised torsion-bar suspension.[3] It had a mid-engined layout and used the 142 horsepower (106 kW) 1.5-litre Type 547/3 quad-cam engine introduced in the 550A.

Variations

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718 RSK Mittellenker

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In 1957 the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) changed their rules to allow cars with enveloping bodywork to compete in Formula races.[4]: 27  That year Porsche entered three 550/1500RS Spyders in the German Grand Prix Formula Two (F2) event. Changes to the cars were minimal, being limited to removing the passenger seats and spare tires.[5]

For 1958 Porsche fielded a modified 718, called the RSK Mittellenker (centre-steer), for F2 events.[6] The bodywork for this car was only slightly different from the sportscar model, but the single seat was now in the centre of the cockpit, with the steering wheel, pedals, and shift lever relocated to accommodate the change and a fairing enclosing more of the cockpit opening.[7]: 65  Jean Behra drove the car to a win at the F2 event at Reims that year. At the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, driver Edgar Barth placed sixth overall and second in his class. At the Berlin Grand Prix at AVUS the car won both its heat and the F2 class in the hands of driver Masten Gregory.

718/2

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Porsche 718 2-02

In 1959 Porsche unveiled the prototype of a narrow, open-wheeled car called the Porsche 718/2 that married the 718's mechanicals with a more traditional single-seat Formula body.[8] The unpainted car was entered in the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix, where driver Wolfgang von Trips qualified twelfth, but crashed on the second lap of the race. At Reims driver Joakim Bonnier finished third. For 1960 the production 718/2, starting with chassis number 718201, received revised bodywork, a 6-speed transaxle, and a wheelbase extended by 100 mm (3.9 in).[5][9]: 278–281  A total of five cars were built. Some of these four-cylinder cars were later raced in F1 under the 1962 11⁄2 litre formula.

In October 1958 the FIA had announced another change to the regulations for Formula One (F1).[10]: 12  Beginning in the 1961 season, engine capacity would be limited to the same 1.5 litres as in Formula Two. This meant that Porsche could use their 718/2s almost unchanged in F1.

RS 60

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For the 1960 season the FIA made changes to the regulation regarding the windscreen and cockpit size. These rules changes together with a larger (1.6-litre) Type 547/3 engine, developing 160 horsepower (120 kW) and a new double wishbone rear suspension brought about the RS 60 model. The RS 60 brought Porsche victory at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring with a car driven by Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien. 1960 also saw Porsche win the Targa Florio with Hans Herrmann being joined on the winner podium by Jo Bonnier and Graham Hill. The RS 60 also ensured that Porsche successfully defended their European Hill Climb Championship for the third year in a row.

RS 61

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For 1961 the model name was changed to "RS 61" although it was almost identical to the RS 60. An RS 61 won the European Hill Climb Championship.[11]

W-RS

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The W-RS version was developed in 1961. Initially fitted with a 4-cylinder engine, the car was later fitted with Porsche's air-cooled Type 771 2.0 L flat-eight engine which produced 240 horsepower (180 kW).[12] A W-RS finished 8th at Le Mans in 1963. The W-RS continued Porsche's success in the European Hill Climb Championship with Edgar Barth claiming the title in 1963. Porsche would go on to win a European Hill Climb Championship every year until 1982, a total of 42 titles.

The W-RS continued racing until 1964 when it was replaced by the 904.

718 GTR Coupé

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Gurney/Bonnier Porsche 718 GTR at the Nürburgring in 1962.

A Coupé version was developed from the RS 61. Initially fitted with a 4-cylinder engine, this car was also upgraded to an 8-cylinder F1 derived engine which produced 210 horsepower (160 kW).[13] The car was also fitted with disc brakes. A GTR Coupé enabled drivers Jo Bonnier and Carlo Maria Abate to win the Targa Florio in 1963 once more.

Racing history

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Endurance / sportscar racing

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The 718 made its racing debut at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans driven by Umberto Maglioli and Edgar Barth. The car failed to finish the race due to an accident.

In 1958, the RSK Spyder #29 (1.6-litre engine) finished third overall at Le Mans guided by Jean Behra and Hans Herrmann. Right after them, in fourth place overall and first in class came the RSK #31 (1.5-litre engine), piloted by Edgar Barth and Paul Frère. Jean Behra also drove one of the cars home finishing second at the Targa Florio (an FIA World Sportscar Championship race from 1955–1973).

In 1959, the car, driven by Edgar Barth and Wolfgang Seidel, achieved overall victory at the Targa Florio for its first time. A 718 also won the European Hill Climb Championship in both 1958 and 1959. A 718 RS60 won the Targa Florio again in 1960.

In 1961 Masten Gregory and Bob Holbert piloted a 718/4 RS Spyder to a class win at Le Mans. In 1963, Porsche got another Targa Florio victory, with a 718 GTR Coupé, making it three wins at that event for a 718 car.

Formula Two

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Porsche made their F2 debut with victories at Reims[14] and AVUS[15] in 1958. In 1959 other RSK's were converted for single seater racing and at the XV B.A.R.C. '200' at Aintree in 1960 Porsche scored a 1–2–3 victory with Stirling Moss, Jo Bonnier and Graham Hill all in 718s.[16] The feat was repeated again later in the year at the race at Zeltweg, Austria.[17]

Formula One

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Formula One switched to a 1.5-litre formula in 1961 and Porsche entered three 718s for Dan Gurney, Hans Herrmann and Jo Bonnier. Gurney scored three 2nd places (France, Italy and United States) taking him to 4th place in the Drivers' Championship. For 1962, Porsche entered a new car, the Porsche 804 in Formula One.

Carel Godin de Beaufort, a privateer, entered a 718 in F1 between 1961 and 1964. He was killed driving his 718 during practice for the 1964 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.[18]

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  • A rear three-quarters view of a silver RS60 Spyder
    Porsche 718 RS60 Spyder
  • A view from the side of a silver RSK
    Porsche 718 RSK Spyder
  • A front side view of a silver W-RS
    Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder
  • A rear three-quarters view of a silver W-RS
    Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder
  • Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder at the 2016 Retromobile show in Paris
    Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder at the 2016 Retromobile show in Paris
  • Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder at the 2016 Retromobile show in Paris
    Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder at the 2016 Retromobile show in Paris
  • Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder at the 2016 Retromobile show in Paris
    Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder at the 2016 Retromobile show in Paris

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Ludvigsen, Karl (1977). Porsche Excellence was Expected. Princeton Publishing. ISBN 0-915038-09-9.
  2. ^ "1959/60 Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder". 2012. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Time Travel: The Porsche 718". newsroom.porsche.com. 4 June 2016.
  4. ^ Leffingwell, Randy (20 October 2013). Porsche 911: 50 Years (PDF). Motorbooks. ISBN 978-0760344019.
  5. ^ a b "1959/61 Porsche 718/2". Motor Sport. November 2011. pp. 74–79.
  6. ^ Herne, James (23 June 2021). "Porsche 718 RSK / RS 60 / RS 61 / RS 62 Spyder (1957-1962)". www.stuttcars.com.
  7. ^ Long, Brian (15 October 2008). Porsche Racing Cars: 1953 to 1975. Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1904788447.
  8. ^ "Porsche 718 Formel 2". presskit.porsche.de.
  9. ^ Whitelock, Mark (10 August 2006). 1 1/2-litre Grand Prix Racing: Low Power, High Tech. Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1845840167.
  10. ^ Long, Brian (21 November 2003). Porsche 911, 1963 to 1971. Veloce. ISBN 978-1903706282.
  11. ^ "1961 - Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder" (in German). 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  12. ^ "1961 - Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder" (in German). 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  13. ^ "1962 - Porsche 718 GTR Coupé" (in German). 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  14. ^ "II Coupe Internationale de Vitesse 1958". www.the-fastlane.co.uk. 15 November 2016.
  15. ^ "IV Grosser Preis von Berlin 1958". www.the-fastlane.co.uk. 17 November 2016.
  16. ^ "XV B.A.R.C. '200' 1960". www.the-fastlane.co.uk. 31 December 2016.
  17. ^ "III Flugplatzrennen Zeltweg 1960". www.the-fastlane.co.uk. 30 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Race history". www.carelgodindebeaufort.nl.

Bibliography

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