Legendary Rothmans Porsche 962 Headlining Le Mans Auction

RM Sotheby’s, in collaboration with Le Mans and the ACO, has announced a momentous event for sports car enthusiasts and collectors alike—the Le Mans Centenary auction. Set to coincide with the historic running of the race in June 2023, this auction will showcase 24 sports racing cars, all with significant race history at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Headlining the remarkable lineup is the Rothmans Porsche 962, a true icon of endurance racing. With a rich racing heritage and an illustrious driver roster, this extraordinary vehicle is expected to captivate bidders seeking a piece of motorsport history.

The Rothmans Porsche 962, chassis number 004, was one of three Works 962s assigned to the Rothmans Porsche factory team for the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Its debut at the 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans was a momentous occasion, as it proudly donned the iconic Rothmans livery. Piloted by the skilled trio of John Watson, Vern Schuppan, and Al Holbert, the car qualified 5th, just behind its factory counterparts, which were equipped with 3-litre engines for qualifying. During the race, chassis 004 proved its mettle by holding the position of the lead Works car, maintaining 2nd place behind the Joest 956 for over 12 hours. Unfortunately, a crankshaft failure dashed its hopes of victory after an impressive 21 hours of racing.

The following year, in 1986, the Rothmans Porsche 962 returned to Le Mans with drivers Jochen Mass, Bob Wollek, and Vern Schuppan. Jochen Mass, a renowned name in motorsport, secured pole position, demonstrating the car’s remarkable speed and performance. Throughout the race, the trio fought for the lead and were on track for a guaranteed 3rd place before a fateful incident at 3:04 am. Mass encountered an oil spill, resulting in a retirement that ended the car’s Le Mans campaign. The 1000 Kilometres of Nürburgring marked the final Works Rothmans Porsche outing for this exceptional vehicle.

Beyond its Le Mans legacy, the Rothmans Porsche 962 holds a special place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts. Motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi handpicked this Porsche to drive at the esteemed 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed. In 2022, the car made appearances at both Goodwood and the Silverstone Classic, reuniting with racing icons Derek Bell and John Watson. These events allowed fans to witness the legendary machine in action once again.

The meticulous restoration of chassis 004 by renowned Porsche expert Trevor Crisp of Katana Ltd. in 2018 adds to its allure. This ensures that its future owner will possess a piece of motorsport history that has been carefully preserved to its original glory.

Statistically, Porsche’s Group C program with the 956 and 962 is unmatched in endurance racing history, firmly establishing the marque as a dominant force at Le Mans. The auction of the Rothmans Porsche 962, chassis 004, marks the first time that one of the factory Rothmans Porsche 962 Cs has been publicly offered for sale. This presents a truly unmissable opportunity for collectors and motorsport enthusiasts to acquire a factory Porsche prototype with an extraordinary history. Not only was it a pole-sitter at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but it also boasts a driver roster that includes many of Porsche’s legendary factory drivers.