Delivered new to Italian hillclimb racer Ermanno Spazzapan, it achieved numerous class wins and podiums across Europe, including an outright win at Antignano-Monte Burrone and a standout fourth overall at the 1968 Imola 500 km.
Retaining its original engine, gearbox, and body panels, the car has seen careful stewardship by noted collectors and ongoing expert maintenance—including over $60,000 of recent work by Road Scholars. As one of the most versatile and successful 2.0-litre sports prototypes of its era, 906-115 is a rare blend of authenticity, provenance, and performance.
Price Upon Request RM Sotheby's
Porsche 906 Carrera 6: The Last Street-Legal Racing Legend
Overview
Introduced in 1966 as Porsche's successor to the 904, the 906 Carrera 6 bridged the gap between production-based racers and purpose-built prototypes. Limited to just 50 units for homologation, it was the last true street-legal race car from Porsche before regulations shifted.
Design & Innovation
- Aerodynamic Breakthrough: First Porsche tested in a wind tunnel (drag coefficient: 0.35), achieving 280 km/h (174 mph) at Le Mans
- Chassis: Tubular space frame with lightweight fiberglass body (580-675 kg)
- Gullwing Doors & Plexiglas Cover: Borrowed from Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Powertrain & Performance
- Engine: 2.0L flat-six (220 PS/217 hp at 8,000 rpm)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Top Speed: 270-280 km/h (168-174 mph)
Racing Legacy
- 1966 Season: Dominated 2.0L class at Daytona and Sebring
- Le Mans: Reached 280 km/h on Mulsanne Straight
- Evolution: Led to Porsche 910
Why It Matters
- Ferdinand Piëch's First Masterpiece
- Street-Legal Rarity
Specs:
- Engine: 2.0L flat-6 (1991cc)
- Power: 220 PS (217 hp)
- Weight: 580-675 kg
- Top Speed: 280 km/h
- Production: 50 units
Fun Fact: Some 906s reused 904 suspension parts to cut costs.
The Porsche 906, also known as the Carrera 6, represents a pivotal chapter in Porsche's motorsport history. Introduced in 1966 as the successor to the 904, this mid-engine sports prototype marked Porsche's transition into purpose-built racing machines. Designed under the leadership of Ferdinand Piëch, the 906 featured groundbreaking aerodynamics with a wind-tunnel-tested body achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.35. Its lightweight tubular space frame chassis and fiberglass construction kept weight to a remarkable 580 kg, while the air-cooled 2.0L flat-six engine, derived from the 911, delivered 220 horsepower.
The 906's racing debut at the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona immediately proved its potential, finishing sixth overall and winning its class against Ferrari's Dino 206 P. This success continued throughout the season with notable victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring and an outright win at the grueling Targa Florio, where it outperformed more powerful rivals through superior handling and reliability. At Le Mans that same year, the 906 secured fourth place overall and dominated its class, demonstrating remarkable endurance against Ford's GT40s and Ferrari's prototypes.
Beyond its competition success, the Carrera 6 holds historical significance as the last truly street-legal Porsche race car and the foundation for Porsche's future prototypes. Limited to just 50 production units for homologation, the 906 established design principles that would evolve into the legendary 917. Its competition record against larger-displacement cars cemented Porsche's reputation for building giant-killers through engineering excellence rather than brute power. Today, surviving examples rank among the most coveted Porsche competition cars, representing the brand's golden era of lightweight, efficient racing machines.
