Porsche 935 K3

Porsche 935 K3 – chassis 13 (1980) 13 produced from 1979-81 - @fosgoodwood 2018 celebrating 70 years of Porsche.

A Kremer 1980 team car, this chassis was raced extensively for nearly six seasons. Its 1980 outings included Le Mans where it failed to finish. For 1981, it was repainted in Jagermeister orange and raced by Bob Wollek in the DRM series (German race series forerunner to the DTM) to two wins. Bob Akin acquired the car halfway through the season and raced it extensively in Coca Cola colours. In 1982, Akin was partnered in the IMSA series (International Motor Sports Association) in America by Derek Bell. The pairing was consistent but never managed to convert their pace into victory. In 1983, Akin with Dale Whittington and John O'Steen finished 1st in class at Sebring.

It has been fully restored and painted in the Coca Cola livery. After being in an American collection for many years, it is now owned by a Danish historic racer.

The 935 was designed by Norbert Singer and in production from 1976-1981 – a factory racing version of the 911 (930) Turbo prepared to FIA Group 5 regulations. From 1977, Porsche offered the car to customers. Of the 370 races in which it was entered, it won 123. Powered by a 3.3 Litre Type 935 twin turbo flat six engine with mechanical fuel injection producing 845hp.

Porsche developed the base 935 during the time it was racing, and these “works”, Evolution versions were not sold to customers. This led to customers developing the 935 themselves. One of the most notable was Kremer Racing - brothers Erwin & Manfred Kremer based in Cologne. They had developed a close relationship with the Porsche factory.

The Kremer’s built a K1 in 1976, and this chassis was modified to K2 spec for 1977. In 1979, the K3 (“K” for Kremer) was introduced and mainly driven by Klaus Ludwig. In mid 1981, Kremer launched a K4 version to meet strong competition in the DRM series from the Zakspeed Ford Capri’s. This version used a 3.1 Litre twin turbo flat 6.

The highlight for Kremer Racing and the Porsche 935 was in 1979 when it won the Le Mans 24 Hours with a 935 K3 driven by Klaus Ludwig and Don and Bill Whittington. Rolf Stommelen came in second in a factory spec 935 entered by driver Dick Barbour and actor / driver Paul Newman. A Kremer Team car in factory spec finished third – Laurent Ferrier, François Servanin and François Trisconi.

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