Historic 1972 Porsche 911 IMSA RSR Vintage Race Car Offered Without Reserve at Russo and Steele Monterey Auction

Raced by Gary Auberlen and his son Bill Auberlen (Rolex GT & DP), it was nicknamed The Cinderella Porsche and is best known for its 1984-1990 period under the SP Racing banner

Monterey, CA (Jun 9, 2011) -- The 1972 Porsche 911 IMSA RSR Vintage Race Car on offer at the 11th Annual Russo and Steele Monterey auction event this August 18-20, 2011 is best known for its 1984-1990 period under the SP Racing banner, where it first raced at the 1984 six-hour event at Riverside, with Gary Auberlen and Peter Jauker driving.

The team continued in GTO (over 2.5-liters) for the remainder of the 1984 season then switched to GTU (under 2.5-liters) for 1985. Success came with a stunning class win at the 12-Hours of Sebring with Gary Auberlen, Peter Jauker, Adrian Gang and Cary Eisenlohr driving. This victory, in the face of many newer and factory-backed cars, led to the car being nicknamed "The Cinderella Porsche."

A second-place class finish was achieved at the 1988 24-Hours of Daytona, but by 1990, in spite of a larger engine and a 935-style “slant-nose” front end, the little privateer Porsche was no longer competitive against the big-budget, factory-sponsored racing teams. After an impressive 11-year run in the IMSA GT series, the car was finally retired. Purchased by a collector based in Europe and put into storage until 2006 when it was acquired by the current owner, having remained in virtually the same condition as the day it last raced.

Noted Porsche shops Gunnar Racing and Klupsport racing in West Palm Beach, FL, provide this automobile with a mild restoration to bring it back to its Sebring-winning configuration. The car's mechanical systems were overhauled and the exterior was brought back to its earlier RSR look. The interior was left virtually the way it ran in the 1980's with the exception of a modern HANS type racing seat, and upgraded electricals. It now has a normally aspirated 3.4 liter endurance racing engine built by Kelly-Moss Motorsports, and a period correct 915 gearbox.

The engine has approximately 10-hours on it. As it did in period, it has a partial tubular frame, full RSR coil-over suspension, fully adjustable front and rear sway bars, brake bias adjustment, and full roll cage. The original long distance endurance fuel cell was restored, and the car retains all of its handmade and original hardware. It also comes with its original rare Ronal racing wheels, as well as a set of modern BBS racing rims, and Goodyear slicks. The car was recently repainted, inside and out and all new graphics applied, and the Ronal Rims were recently restored.

After restoration, the car competed very successfully in the Historic Sports Car Racing (HSR) series and the Sport Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) series, earning class endurance championships twice during this period, with numerous wins and podium finishes. The Auberlen Porsche has also appeared at many significant historic racing events including the Sebring Classic, the Rolex Vintage Fall Festival at Lime Rock, Rennsport III at Daytona and the 24-Minutes of Daytona, in addition to having been displayed at the Sebring Heritage Museum. Recently, Jurgen Barth, the noted Porsche factory driver and historian, drove the Porsche in a four-hour endurance race. It has fantastic, race-winning history and stands ready for future competition.

About Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions
Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles is one of the nation’s premier collector car auctions; specializing in the world’s finest European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and customs. Its auctions each year attract clients all over the globe not only because of its reputation for stellar collector automobiles, but also unique auction experiences unattainable at any other collector car auction in the world. Its auction events take place with its signature auction in Scottsdale, Arizona every January, and Monterey, California in August. Additional information please visit www.russoandsteele.com or call 602.252.2697.

Contact:
Stephanie Quinn
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 602-252-2697
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 480-422-9246


For more information, contact:
Stephanie Quinn
Phone: (602) 252-2697
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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