Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6
Chassis No. – 906-140
Blue with red interior

When Ferdinand Piech, grandson of dr. Ferdinand Porsche, joined Porsche in 1963 he was determined to build a new sports racing car to advance the latest in technology. A challenging task especially during a decade when racing technology was moving so quickly, talent and resources were spread thin and often desperately plied with late-day trackside heroics. Yet, true to other moments in Porsche history, the team hit their target at precisely the right time. The resultant 906 Carrera 6, while fast and reliable, was even more impressive as an ambassador to tomorrow. The 906 would become the prototype of prototyping, establishing higher and higher bars of exceptional engineering as Porsche elevated their motorsports game with subsequently superlative competition cars.

Beginning with careful study of the 904, the formerly heavy steel construction was replaced with modern fiberglass body work built over a lightweight steel tube space-frame chassis. At the heart of these critical weight savings, the new twin-plug 2-liter 901/20 engine (derived from the developing 911) was also lightweight, benefiting from magnesium castings and twin Weber carburetors. The new engine was a key element, but it was the combination of light weight, performance durability, and a slippery body design aided by wind-tunnel testing that made the total package such a strong success – especially for a car in the 2-liter class. 906 racing wins throughout the 1966 season continued in 1967 and 1968 including notable wins both for privateers and factory cars at the Targa Florio, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th at 24 Hours of Le Mans, while also winning their class at 12 Hours of Sebring. And while just a handful were built, fewer still remain with their factory construction, original features, and unmodified chassis.

This example, chassis 906-140 is one of just 52 factory examples built in the 2-Liter configuration. Completed in April 1966, the car was delivered to the first owner through Kjell Qvale’s Pacific Northwest Porsche, Beaverton, OR where it was dispatched to Earle M. Chiles, Portland, OR, heir to the Fred Myer supermarket chain. Chiles campaigned the car under the Rapido Inc. name, hiring hot shoes Gary Wright, Michael Fisher, and Pete Lovely to run the car in the 1966 and 67 racing seasons. At this time the car participated in local events held at Portland International Raceway, Oregon and Pacific Raceway, Kent, WA, then seen fitted with American Racing magnesium wheels. An early career highlight featured Fisher and Lovely driving to an impressive 7th overall and 3rd in class at Road America.
In 1967, the car was sidelined and sold to Portland enthusiast and exotic car dealer Monte Shelton. After minor front-end damage, the car was repaired, finished in blue livery, and registered in Oregon with the license plate “ACE 906”. Typical of Shelton and his sense of humor, the tail was painted with the cartoon character Snoopy, featuring various comic one-liners egging on approaching competitors. Shelton raced 906-140 at West Coast venues between late 1967 and 1969, wearing #57. Numerous class wins, national and regional SCCA meets, and Can-Am events at Laguna Seca made up the vast and varied list of events this car participated in while owned by Shelton. By 1970, Shelton advertised the car for sale in the March 1970 issue of Porsche Panorama magazine, summarizing quite accurately the prowess of this car both in its day and as a statement of historically important Porsche racing engineering.

TEXT OF MARCH 1970 ADVERTISEMENT: “No expense spared in care and maintenance, utilizing services of top Porsche crew in Northwest. Presently zero hours on newly prepared engine and gearbox. New Koni shocks, Firestone fuel cells. Car as pictured above has proven ability in top pro racing circles, winning first overalls against 7-Litre machines at Westwood BC and establishing lap records at Westwood, Delta Park, and Shelton. Was fastest 906 ever at 1968 Riverside ARRC (See January ’69 Sports Car). This car is a winner, and can now be purchased, complete with spare windshield, wet- weather tires and wheels, street exhaust system, competition exhausts, FIA ‘suitcase,’ full safety equipment, at sacrifice price of $8,995 [sic].”
Later that year, 906-140 sold to Robert Harmon, Marin, CA who raced the car occasionally at Laguna Seca and Vacaville until 1975 when it was sold to Ohio-based Porsche dealer, racer, and collector Chuck Stoddard. Though Stoddard would keep the car until 1986, selling it and buying it back during this ten-year span, and selling it once again, by 1988 the car was sold to the famed Italian collector Fabrizio Violati, where it became a part of his Maranello Rosso Museum collection until 2001 when it was sold to Italian enthusiast Alfredo Spinetti. Under Spinetti’s ownership 906-140 participated in several editions of the Vernasca Silver Flag Hill Climb while enjoying occasional road use for events and outings. In October 2022, this 906 was featured in Excellence magazine. The article outlined the history of the car, the remarkable originality, early racing history, and consummate known care since delivered new.

Under current US ownership, this Porsche has continued to serve as one of the most complete and documented 906 race cars of the period. Further, 906-140 retains the original factory chassis number, factory chassis tag, and the serial-numbered transaxle. Though updated in period to remain competitive during racing, this desirable 910 magnesium-case engine block remains in place today. The owner reports the fiberglass bodywork to be largely original to the car and the overall construction has never required a comprehensive restoration – a statement very few cars with competition history can state with confidence.

Today this historically important Porsche 906 has been thoughtfully maintained under professional care in keeping with the historic import and significant engineering history of these early prototype cars. Supported by experts with extensive vintage Porsche experience, there is no dispute regarding the racing provenance, documented ownership history, or future eligibility for participation in a host of premier vintage racing events. 906-140 is finished in correct colors reflective of the Monte Shelton ownership period when the car raced extensively on the west coast. The exterior finishes are quite nice and generally reflective of race cars that can be readily enjoyed without museum formality. The exterior lighting, plexiglass windows, and detailed body features are consistent in finish and presentation, though the windshield has a crack. The wraparound windscreen and narrow A-posts create a panoramic view from the impossibly low 38.2” overall height. The wide profile rear is dramatically shaped over the mid-engine with a clear cover allowing view into the Weber intake barrels. A set of staggered width steel wheels are fitted using five bolt mounting hubs wearing Dunlop racing tires. The cockpit is clean and very well laid out with matching contoured seats covered in padded red material and updated with five-point racing harnesses. Honestly represented and remarkably authentic, the interior, dashboard, instrumentation, and various features further support the history and known provenance of this racing icon.

Hinging back the rear body panel the mechanical mastery and ground-breaking engineering celebrate Porsche engineering excellence in harmony with decades of care and preservation afforded under enthusiast ownership. The engine compartment offers authentic presentation with the centerpiece twin-plug engine trumpeting dual Weber carburetors flanked inside the innovative space frame compartment. The exposed mechanicals of the front section reveal further innovations in lightweight construction complete with correct features with some modern allowances for suspension and brake components. Although currently a running example, we recommend a professional race shop perform an inspection and review all systems before use in a competition setting. This car is offered with four spare wheels and Goodyear racing tires, spare ignition parts, protective carburetor caps, a metal quick-jack pressure bar, a copy of the Excellence magazine containing the article featuring this car, and other assorted spare parts.
This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire an unprecedented example of Porsche history. Documented with the correct chassis number, known ownership and preservation, and period racing participation, this Porsche 906 will eagerly participate at any top-tier worldwide vintage motorsports events or Porsche gathering. As historic rarity and preservation continue to dominate the increasingly robust future of Porsche events, the next fortunate owner can look forward to a host of enthusiast participation and continued collector demand for this icon of motorsports history.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608