| In a highly focused ten-year period, Porsche transformed itself and sports car racing by raising performance to heights not dreamed of. Porsche’s sports cars went from being regular but comparatively humble winners in the GT class to become completely dominant in the top category, international prototype race cars. This was a time of nonstop development mixed with turmoil and success under the direction of Dr. Ferdinand Piech, widely considered one of the great automotive minds of the modern era. Beginning with the fiberglass-bodied 904, which proved nearly unbeatable in the two liter class during 1964 and 1965, and continuing through the all-conquering turbocharged 917/30 Can-Am spyder of Mark Donohue, which utterly crushed its opposition in 1973, this beautifully presented volume provides a vivid photographic history of Porsche’s relentless quest for victory. Evocative images combine with knowledgeable commentary and historical overviews to offer insights into the men and machines of this glorious era. The book also includes some of the lesser-known, but equally important sports-racers, such as the ultralight hillclimb spyders, whose technology can still be seen in today’s prototypes. Porsche Prototype Era will take you back in time to experience the classic circuits, revolutionary designs, heroic drivers, and aggressive competition that defined a golden age in sports car racing. |