The car Porsche used to develop the 935

1976 Porsche 935 by J.A. Ackley
Aug 16, 2024

As always, firsts and lasts often carry more value than the rest. But this is not only the first Porsche 935 built, it’s the one the automaker used to develop the iconic racer.



The 935 made its first test runs at Circuit Paul Ricard in December 1975. There the 935 shared the track with some Formula 1 cars. “In the turns the Formula 1 cars could pass the Turbo,” Jochen Mass told Road & Track, “but once I caught them in the straights, I could pass and pull away.”



Initially used as a backup car for the Group 5 Championship, it was brought out for competition at the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen. In its first race, the 935 dominated, winning with drivers Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti.



This example is also the only complete, ex-works 935 in private ownership. It has been fully restored by marque specialist Cavaglieri Restorations.



Find this 1976 Porsche 935 for auction at Gooding & Company, with an estimated value of $4,500,000-$5,500,000.