World's best turbo Porsche collection to be sold

| 7 Feb 2012

Probably the world's best privately owned selection of turbo Porsches is coming up for sale. The Drendel collection of 18 cars covering 25 years of Porsche history will go across Gooding & Co's block at Amelia Island on 9 March.

Star lot is the 1973 917/30 Can-Am Spyder, carrying an estimate of $3.25-4million (main picture). Chassis 004 was intended to be the 1974 Penske-Sunoco team car but was instead sold to Australian Porsche Importer Alan Hamilton and later bought by the Porsche factory.

Second billing is shared by the 1984 two-owner-from-new, double Daytona-winning 962 (above, $1.75-2.25million) and the experimental 1974 RSR Turbo Carrera 2.14 that raced extensively in Europe ($1.75-2.25million), while the first 935/76 built (below) is expected to make fractionally less.

Matthew Drendel was devoted to Porsches from an early age, with a particular focus on collecting the most important turbocharged cars.

David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Co, said: "Matthew Drendel built what has become the world’s most significant private collection of turbocharged Porsches. It’s a very rare occurrence when a refined, single-marque collection of high-quality road and race cars is offered to the public. We feel privileged to have been selected to present the Drendel Family Collection in Amelia Island."

Other Drendel cars in the sale include:

1985 Porsche 962; 
Chassis 962-HR1; 
Estimate: $900,000-1.2 million.

Auctioneer's description: 
During its career, this Porsche achieved 11 overall wins and 19 podium finishes, as well as 2 IMSA GTP Drivers Championships and an IMSA GTP Manufacturers Championship.  Along with its Holbert Racing sister car, 962-103, this 962 is one of the most significant 962s in history.  Fresh from restoration, 962-HR1 was displayed at RennSport Reunion IV in 2011.

1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution
; Chassis 993-GT1-004; 
Estimate: $900,000-1.2 million


Auctioneer's description: This rare factory team car – one of just four built - has competed at top events (Le Mans, Nürburgring and Laguna Seca) in the highest levels of international racing with known drivers behind its wheel. Later campaigned by Rohr Racing at Daytona and Harry Bytzek in the Canada GT Challenge Cup, GT1-004 has one of the most impressive racing records of any factory GT1.

1975 Porsche 934
Chassis 930 670 0155
Estimate: $800,000-1 million


Auctioneer's description: The racing variant of the road-going 930, the 934 expanded on the success of the RSR, winning the European GT Championship as well as the TransAm Championship in North America. The second 934 constructed, this car was actively campaigned through the early 1980s, culminating in a first in class at the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans. In regards to this car, noted Porsche authority Bruce Anderson was quoted as saying "it is the most successful 934 to race in international competition."

1980 Porsche 924 Carrera GT Le Mans
; Chassis 924-003; 
Estimate: $450-600,000; no reserve


One of three Works entries at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans; placed 13th Overall with Bell and Holbert

1980 Porsche Indy Car
; Chassis 0031; 
Estimate: $350-550,000 


Intended as Porsche’s return to open-wheel racing, the company’s ground-breaking program was cancelled a month before the Indianapolis 500 s a result of last-minute USAC rule changes

1987 McLaren-Porsche MP4/3 Formula One
; Chassis MP4/3/1; 
Estimate: $450-600,000; no reserve

The first MP4/3 built and the only example in private hands

1981 Porsche 924 GTP "Le Mans"; Chassis 924-005; 
Estimate: $375-450,000; no reserve


Factory prototype and development car, built to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

1995 Porsche 911 GT2 Evolution; 
Chassis WP0ZZZ99ZTS393062
; Estimate: $375-425,000; no reserve


The Champion Porsche, 1996 12 Hours of Sebring class winner

1992 Porsche 968 Turbo RS
; Chassis WPOZZZ96ZNS820065; 
Estimate: $250-325,000; no reserve


Factory prototype with Le Mans and Sebring race history

1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6
; Chassis WP0AC2965RS480276
; Estimate: $75-90,000; no reserve

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup; 
Chassis WP0ZZZ95ZGN154076
; Estimate: $65-85,000; no reserve

1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S; 
Chassis WP0AA2957JN151272; 
Estimate: $50-65,000; no reserve

1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone; 
Chassis WP0AA2961RS820772
; Estimate: $45-55,000; no reserve

1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet; 
Chassis WP0CB2949MN440106
; Estimate: $25-30,000; no reserve