Porsche 911 RSR Turbo 2.1 1974

The blend of Porsche 911, Le Mans, and Martini Racing incarnates automotive excellence. It's a legendary tale of a road-car-based racer, the Porsche 911 RSR, triumphing over formidable prototypes in the grueling crucible of motorsports.

In 1974, Matra held a dominant position at Le Mans, and Ferrari bid farewell to endurance racing. It was during this year that Porsche introduced their inaugural 911 RSR into the racing arena, marking the debut of a turbocharged car at the revered 24 Hours of Le Mans.

During the race, Matra prototypes showcased their prowess until 10:00 AM, when the transmission of their leading car faltered. Meanwhile, Porsche mechanics diligently worked to rectify issues with their factory-prepared Porsche 911 RSR Turbo 2.1 with more than 450 horsepower, facing challenges due to the fundamental disparities between road-derived and prototype cars. Despite losing fifth gear and enduring 40-second slower lap times, the Porsche team persisted. 

Despite in the end, it was Henri Pescarolo and Gerard Larrousse who emerged victorious in the 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans with their V12 Matra-Simca MS670C, Porsche claimed second place. At the chequered flag, the gap between the winning Matra and the Carrera RSR Turbo was twenty kilometres – just a lap and a half! With Gijs van Lennep and Herbert Muller in their 6-cylinder, turbocharged engine, the Porsche 911 RSR 2.1 outpaced several formidable 12-cylinder prototypes.

Following this triumph at the 1974 Le Mans, Porsche achieved another milestone by unveiling their first mass-production Turbo car—the 911 Turbo (930). This introduction marked the inception of a new era, elevating the 911 to an entirely new realm of performance. Experience the rich history and legacy of this remarkable journey through captivating Porsche 911 RSR Le Mans car art.