Definition
The Porsche 910 is a mid‑engine sports‑prototype race car produced by Porsche AG for competition in the Group 6 sports‑car category during the 1966 and 1967 seasons.
Overview
Developed as a successor to the Porsche 907, the 910 was intended to compete in endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Sportscar Championship, and various national sports‑car series. Production spanned 1966–1967, after which it was succeeded by the Porsche 907 "Kurzheck" (short‑tail) and later the Porsche 908. A total of 36 chassis were built in several variants, including the 910/4 (four‑wheel‑drive), 910/6 (six‑wheel‑drive), and the 910/8 (two‑wheel‑drive).
Etymology/Origin
Porsche’s internal model numbering assigned the designation “910” following the preceding 907. The number does not denote a specific meaning beyond Porsche’s sequential prototype nomenclature used during the 1960s.
Characteristics
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Chassis and Body: The 910 employed a lightweight tubular steel space‑frame chassis with aluminum body panels. The design emphasized a low frontal area and aerodynamic efficiency, featuring a distinctive closed‑nose coupe and an optional open‑top variant for hill‑climb events.
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Engine: Early 910s were powered by the Type 901/1 2.0 L flat‑four (F‑Type) engine producing approximately 180 bhp. Later models received the Type 901/2 2.2 L flat‑six, delivering up to 210 bhp. All engines were naturally aspirated, water‑cooled, and mounted behind the driver in a mid‑engine configuration.
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Transmission: Standard models used a 5‑speed manual transaxle (G‑50) with rear‑wheel drive. The 910/4 variant employed a four‑wheel‑drive system derived from the Porsche 914/4, while the 910/6 used a six‑wheel‑drive layout, driving the two front and four rear wheels.
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Suspension: Front suspension consisted of double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers; rear suspension employed a semi‑trailing arm setup with similar spring/damper arrangements.
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Braking: Ventilated disc brakes were fitted on all wheels, with the front discs larger than the rear to balance the braking forces.
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Performance: The 910’s power‑to‑weight ratio allowed top speeds around 250 km/h (155 mph) depending on gearing and aerodynamic setup. Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) was typically achieved in roughly 4.5 seconds.
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Racing Record: The 910 secured notable results, including a 1‑2 finish at the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona (driven by Jo Siffert and Bob Bondurant) and class victories at Le Mans 1967. The four‑wheel‑drive version achieved a victory in the 1966 Targa Florio.
Related Topics
- Porsche 907 – Predecessor prototype introduced in 1966.
- Porsche 908 – Successor introduced in 1968, featuring a 3.0 L flat‑eight engine.
- Group 6 (Sports Prototype) – FIA classification for prototype sports cars in the 1960s.
- Porsche 914/4 – Basis for the 910’s four‑wheel‑drive system.
- 24 Hours of Le Mans – Endurance race in which the 910 competed.
All information presented reflects established historical records and specifications from Porsche’s archives and contemporary motorsport documentation.