Monaco Collection Celebrates 75 Years of Porsche Sports Car Greatness
Collection de Voitures de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco is celebrating 75 years of Porsche sports cars.
The first Porsche sports car broke the mold nearly 75 years ago on the 8th of June, 1948. That first historic machine, the 356 “No. 1” Roadster, took Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche’s vision and put it into motion. It’s only fitting, then, that the legendary automaker immortalizes the milestone with iconic cars and a fitting exhibition.
For instance, the “Cercle des Amis de la Collection de Voitures de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco” assembled a reverent collection of Porsche sports cars, including six sports car and motorsport models that Porsche loaned to complete the festivities. Moreover, several famed racing drivers with a history of piloting the automaker’s vehicles will be at the celebration, including Stéphane Ortelli and Thierry Bousten, current exhibit curator and president of the “Cercle des Amis de la Collection de Voitures de SAS le Prince de Monaco.”
Porsche to Loan 6 Unique Cars to the Festivities
The Monaco exhibition will feature a dozen famous sports cars and specialty vehicles in honor of the special milestone. Moreover, Porsche loaned six race cars from the automaker’s priceless collection. Among the specialty vehicles is the 962 Dauer Le Mans GT, a car that Bousten drove in the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans. Moreover, a 911 SC Safari that raced in the East African Safari Rally will make an appearance.
Also, the 911 GT1 Evo, 2016 911 RSR, and 908/03 Spyder will grace the exhibit with racing heritage. Specifically, the 911 RSR won the 2016 GTLM class at Sebring as well as a second-place finish in its Le Mans class. Furthermore, Porsche limited the 908/03 Spyder to just 12 units, and the model in the exhibition finished just behind its teammate car in the 1970 Targo Florio for a No. 1 and No. 2 finish.
Exhibition Runs through the 20th of March, 2023
The exhibition, which Porsche says occupies rooms in the newly-opened Port Hercule museum, isn’t a permanent installation. “It is an honour for us to be providing half of the cars for this special exhibition. We are very happy to celebrate our sports car anniversary with six milestones in the Principality of Monaco,” said Achim Stejskal, Head of Porsche Heritage and Museum, on the subject of the exhibition.
Even with the brevity of its stay, the Port Hercule location is hallowed ground for enthusiasts. Still, fans will be glad to have seen installations like the 356 B 2000 GS Carrera GTL and Porsche 908 “short-tail” in the fan-favorite flesh.
Photos: Porsche