PORSCHE RS 1960 NO.34

PORSCHE RS 1960 NO.34 24H LE MANS 1960 MCW 1/43

In the lead-up to Le Mans 1960, the new Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder had already proven its worth as a winner, notching up outright wins in Sebring and at the Targa Florio. Compared to its predecessor, the RS 60 received a suspension make-over, featured modified aerodynamics, a rear axle with coil springs and the now mandatory luggage compartment behind the engine. Otherwise, the tubular frame made of seamless steel tubing and the proven four-cylinder racing engine remained unchanged. Only one of the three works-entered Porsche RS 60 racers saw the flag, albeit with Edgar Barth and Wolfgang Seidel scored eleventh overall and second in their class. Ahead of the Spyder in tenth place overall, a Porsche decked out in rare bodywork darts over the finish line: it was a Porsche 356 B 1600 GS Carrera GTL Abarth. The body of this lightweight version of the 356 B was built in an arrangement with Carlo Abarth at Zagato. The 1600 GS weighed 100 kilos less than the 356 B. Sharing the cockpit were Herbert Linge and Heini Walter, who also won the sports class – as the Abarth was not yet homologated to contest the GT category.