Porsche 718

The Porsche 718: The Mid-Engine Racer That Continued Porsche’s Winning Legacy

The Porsche 718 is a remarkable chapter in Porsche’s motorsport history, representing the brand's commitment to lightweight design, innovation, and engineering excellence. Produced between 1957 and 1962, the 718 was developed as a successor to the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder and continued the tradition of mid-engine race cars that could punch well above their weight class. With numerous successes in endurance racing, hill climbs, and Formula 1, the Porsche 718 solidified the company’s reputation as a serious contender in motorsport.

Building on the success of the 550 Spyder, Porsche set out to create a more refined and competitive race car. The result was the 718, also known as the RSK due to its "RennSport" (racing sport) designation and "K" for its distinctive "Knie" (knee-shaped) front suspension. The 718 featured a tubular spaceframe chassis that was stronger and lighter than the 550’s design, and it retained the mid-engine layout that had proven so successful.

Powering the 718 was the advanced 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, air-cooled "Fuhrmann" engine, named after its designer Dr. Ernst Fuhrmann. This engine, equipped with twin overhead camshafts and dual Weber carburetors, initially produced around 142 horsepower, a figure that would be improved upon throughout the car’s development. The combination of lightweight construction, aerodynamic efficiency, and balanced handling made the 718 an incredibly competitive machine.

Racing Success

The Porsche 718 quickly made its mark on the racing world, achieving success in a wide variety of disciplines. In 1958, the 718 RSK finished first in class and third overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Jean Behra and Hans Herrmann. This performance highlighted the car’s reliability and endurance capabilities, a hallmark of Porsche’s engineering philosophy.

That same year, the 718 also triumphed in the Targa Florio, one of the most demanding road races in the world. Umberto Maglioli piloted the 718 to victory, showcasing the car’s agility, handling, and ability to tackle challenging Sicilian roads. The 718’s success continued in the 1959 Targa Florio, where it secured another win, reinforcing its reputation as a dominant force in endurance racing.

In addition to endurance racing, the Porsche 718 found success in hill climb events and open-wheel racing. The 718 was adapted for use in Formula 2 and later Formula 1, where it demonstrated its versatility and competitiveness. Notably, Stirling Moss drove a 718 to victory in the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix for the privateer Rob Walker Racing Team, marking a significant achievement for Porsche in Formula 1.

Variants and Evolution

Over its production span, the 718 evolved through several iterations, each improving on its predecessor. The 718 RSK was followed by the 718 RS 60, which featured improved suspension, a slightly longer wheelbase, and a more powerful engine. The 718 RS 61 continued this evolution with further refinements, maintaining Porsche’s focus on lightweight construction and agility.

Porsche also developed the 718/2, a single-seater version designed specifically for Formula 2 and Formula 1 racing. This model retained the core principles of the 718’s design while adapting to the demands of open-wheel competition. The 718/2 played a key role in Porsche’s foray into top-level single-seater racing.

Legacy of the Porsche 718

The Porsche 718’s racing achievements laid the groundwork for future Porsche race cars, influencing designs that would dominate motorsport for decades to come. The car’s mid-engine layout became a defining feature of Porsche’s racing DNA, and its successes in endurance racing, hill climbs, and Formula 1 proved that Porsche could compete with and defeat much larger manufacturers.

Today, the 718 name lives on in the modern Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models, which honor the legacy of their racing predecessor. The modern 718s continue the tradition of mid-engine design, exceptional handling, and lightweight construction, bridging the gap between Porsche’s storied past and its innovative future.

The original Porsche 718 remains a highly sought-after collector’s car, celebrated for its engineering brilliance, racing pedigree, and role in establishing Porsche as a global motorsport powerhouse. It stands as a testament to Porsche’s philosophy of combining innovation, agility, and efficiency to create race-winning machines.