I’m obviously referring to vehicles such as the 917, 936, and 956. Although these cars were manufactured and raced many years ago, they established Porsche as the leading manufacturer in various racing series. For example, these three cars, along with the 962 evolution of the 956, achieved victory at the 24 Hour of Le Mans a staggering 11 times in just 18 years.
However, my focus is not on the flat-12 917 or the turbo flat-6 956. Instead, I want to highlight the 908/3, which is one of the most lightweight and radical race-spec Porsches ever built.
The 908 was first introduced in 1968. In 1969, the upgraded 908/2 failed to win at Daytona and Sebring, but it achieved remarkable success at Brands Hatch, Monza, Targa Florio, Spa, and Nurburgring. These victories helped Porsche secure the International Championship for Makes, as the 917 faced reliability issues.
In 1970, the third version of the 908 was introduced. Designed to excel in areas where the 917K lacked agility, the 908/3 was based on the incredibly lightweight and compact 909. Originally developed for hillclimb events, the 909 weighed only 384 kg (847 pounds). Although the 908/3 was slightly heavier at 500 kg (1,102 pounds), it was still impressively light for a long-distance racer.
Weighing a staggering 340 kg (750 pounds) less than the Le Mans-winning 917K and powered by an upgraded flat-eight engine producing 370 horsepower, the 908/3 achieved victories at Nurburgring and Targa Florio. Similar to its predecessor, it contributed to Porsche’s success in the International Championship for Makes. The 908 remained competitive in private ownership until the early 1980s.
Even though it may not be the most renowned Porsche race car, the 908 serves as an excellent example of achieving success through a focus on lightweight construction. Additionally, due to the limited production of only 31 units (across all body configurations), the 908 is a rare sight today. Occasionally, these cars make appearances at classic motorsport events, and they truly captivate the audience when they do.
A Gulf-liveried 908/3 was recently spotted at a hillclimb event in Switzerland. This German race car was captured on camera as it tackled the Bernina mountain pass, demonstrating its prowess more than 50 years after leaving the Porsche factory. The onboard footage and the incredible sound of the flat-eight engine make this two-minute video a highly enjoyable experience. Increase the volume and press play below.
According to the Source autoevolution.com