HISTORY // THE 'CUSTOMER' PORSCHE 935-77A

1977 saw Porsche's great rival BMW begin to lose interest in the World Manufacturers Championship after the pairs titanic battle during the previous season. Come 1977 and with Porsche themselves campaigning only a few twin turbocharged 'Works' cars, it was left to customer teams to campaign single turbo spec derivatives which were built during the winter of 1976.

Weighing in at 970kg, the customer-spec 935's retained the single turbo Type 930/72 motor as installed in the 1976 works cars. This 2.8-litre engine initially produced 590bhp at 8000rpm, although most teams were achieving well over 600bhp soon after the season began. Visually, these privateer 935's were identical to the 1976 works cars with their flat nose, massive wheelarch extensions and striking rear spoiler... [read more]

Despite lacking the latest twin turbo engines, the customer 935's notched up a hugely impressive race record thanks to their strength in depth and reliability. In 1977 alone, four rounds of the FIA World Manufacturers Championship fell to privateer Porsche teams who were more often than not up against the mighty factory squad. Amazingly, these cars also took outright victory in every Trans Am event that year and half of the IMSA races, but moreover, they were competitive for many years and hung around at the sharp end of high quality grids until the advent of Group C.

Quite simply, customer 935's were among the most successful models in Porsche’s distinguished history.

Info: QV500.com
Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: PDM Motorsport Imaging Archive