The Porsche 956 Sports Car

1985 Porsche 956 Image

from Classic to Modern

Introduced in 1976, the Porsche 936 sports car racer used a 2.1 litre, flat-6, SOHC, KKK turbocharged engine that developed 540 bhp and 347 ft/lbs of torque.

Fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox, it produced a top speed of 217 mph. Over the period 1976-81, works 936's won Le Mans a total of three times.

Following FIA's rule changes, the 936 was succeeded in 1982 by the Porsche 956. This used a carbon fibre reinforce kevlar body on an aluminium monocoque chassis, with vented and drilled disc brakes, and a curb weight of 840 kg.

It was powered by a 2.65 litre, flat-6, DOHC, twin KKK turbocharged engine that developed 620 bhp at 8200 rpm and 443 ft/lbs of torque at 5000 rpm. Using a 5-speed manual gearbox, it produced a top speed of 221 mph.

In 1984, the 956B variant was fitted with a redesigned chassis and an improved Bosch fuel injection system.

The 956 was the first Porsche sports car to be aerodynamically designed to take full advantage of the ground effect for greatly improved road holding.

On the track, the 956's greatest achievement was winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race each year from 1982 to 1985, followed by success in the Nurburgring 1000km race in 1983 and 1984.

As a result of the first Le Mans win, Porsche sold versions of the 956 to privateer race teams.

In 1985, the 956 underwent further evolution, and was succeeded by the Porsche 962c sports car.