1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6
Developed for endurance sports car racing, the 906 was a street-legal racing car that raced in the FIA’s Group 4 class against cars like the Ferrari Dino 206 P. They often won their class behind the much larger prototypes such as the Ford GT40 Mk II and Ferrari 330 P3/4.
Based off the same principles as the 904, the 906 used a boxed steel chassis with a fiberglass body that added rigidity to the design. This particular monocoque construction was very light and resulted in a car which typically weighed 1,300 lbs (580 kgs).
Despite having trouble in the 1966 and being beaten by Ferrari at 1000km of Nürburgring and 1000km at SPA, a privately-entered 906 won the Targa Florio outright. Le Mans was a resounding class victory behind the three Ford GT40s.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Racing Car |
| released at | 1966 24 Hours of Daytona |
| built at | Germany |
| production | 54 |
| engine | 901/20 B6 |
| position | Mid, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Magnesium Alloy |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 2 Weber 46 IDA 3C Carburetors |
| displacement | 1991 cc / 121.50 in³ |
| bore | 80 mm / 3.1 in |
| stroke | 66 mm / 2.6 in |
| compression | 10.3:1 |
| power | 156.6 kw / 210 bhp @ 8000 rpm |
| specific output | 105.47 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 340.36 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 196 nm / 144.6 ft lbs @ 6000 rpm |
| body / frame | Fiberglass Bodyt over Steel Spaceframe |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| steering | ZF Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | Wishbones w/Coil Springs |
| r suspension | Wishbones w/Coil Springs |
| curb weight | 617 kg / 1360 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2300 mm / 90.6 in |
| front track | 1338 mm / 52.7 in |
| rear track | 1402 mm / 55.2 in |
| length | 4113 mm / 161.9 in |
| width | 1680 mm / 66.1 in |
| height | 980 mm / 38.6 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~273.53 kph / 170 mph |
Auction Sales History
1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6 906-134 – sold for $1,980,000 An Important Example of a Landmark Porsche Prototype. Driven by Gijs van Lennep and Ben Pon for Racing Team Holland. Illustrious Six-Year International Competition Record. Beautifully Restored and Presented in Original 1966 Livery. Eligible for Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, and Rennsport Reunion. Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions 2015 by Gooding & Company
1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6 906-116 – did not sell for $1,180,000 Among the most successful privateer-driven Type 906s. Formerly part of the famed Vasek Polak Collection. Documented ownership and racing history from new. Stunning restoration by marque experts in Germany. Eligible for major vintage events worldwide. Auction Source: 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions
1966 Porsche Type 906 Carrera Coupé 906–126 – sold for €540,500 This particular example, chassis number 906-126°° is offered here accompanied by appropriate FIA Historic documentation, and is on the button and in excellent overall condition. Road registered in Belgium and with an FIA HTP, this exceptionally beautiful Porsche prototype would surely be a welcome entry on the 2013 Tour Auto where these models are the featured car this year. Auction Source: 2013 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
1966 Porsche Typ 906 Carrera 906-007 – sold for $898,000 This particular example, chassis number 007, has benefited in recent years from a meticulous restoration, and with its considerable documentation and accompanying original parts it has significant appeal indeed. As a historical artifact – one that can be used and enjoyed still today – this is a historic racing Porsche that will appeal to the most discerning enthusiasts of the marque. Auction Source: 2011 Quail Lodge Sale by Bonhams
1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 906-007 – did not sell for €747,500
In 2002 the car moved back to Germany and came in the possession of its last long-term owner in 2003. He initiated total restoration of the car to its original closed Coupe ‘Carrera 6’ configuration – the work being undertaken by MEC-auto in Belgium. This six-year programme was finally completed in 2009. The Original multi-tubular chassis frame was restored and a new FIA-approved roll-cage was mounted. Both the complete body and all mechanical assemblies were renewed and all magnesium suspension parts and wheels were replaced as a routine safety measure. Brand new fuel-tank safety cells were also installed. Auction Source: 2011 Automobiles d’exception au Grand Palais by Bonhams
1966 Porsche Carrera 6 Type 906 Endurance 147 – sold for $557,000. As a German Porsche returned to its native land, this Carrera 6 had a special pride of place within the Rosso Bianco Collection displays at Aschaffenburg. We believe that it was originally an American market export car, and from available records it appears to have been supplied new to Jim Hall, or to his brother Charles, in Texas.
It seems to have spent virtually all its competitive life within the American racing scene, and although there appears to be no documentation detailing its history in Collection records we believe that it eventually found its way into the personal collection of a prominent Porsche enthusiast in the north-west who had the car restored with the painstaking and enormously impressive sympathy we have tried to describe above. From his collection it eventually passed to the Rosso Bianco ownership in which it has been generally so well preserved through the 1990s and on into the 21st Century. Auction Source: 2006 Monterey Preview
