Rothmans Porsche 962 Racer Could Rake in More Than $9M at Auction
Every Porsche 962 is special, but this one has a checkered history and an iconic livery to help boost its value.
In the world of motorsports, the Porsche 962 needs no introduction, as it was part of the most successful program the automaker ever ran at Le Mans – and that’s saying a lot, given its tremendous success at that iconic race. It isn’t everyday that one of these prestigious racers hits the auction block, let alone one with some serious historical prominence, but that’s precisely what’s set to take place at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Le Mans auction, just one day before this year’s 24 hour endurance race.
There’s no better time to sell such a machine, given its ties to Le Mans, the impending debut of the 963, and the fact that no one holds more victories here than Porsche. This Porsche 962 wears chassis number 004 and is one of three Works 962 racers assigned to the Rothmans Porsche factory team for the 1985 and 1986 seasons, making its debut at the 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans wearing that iconic livery that has become one of the most recognizable in all of motorsport.
That first race ended with mechanical failure, but it went on to enjoy a couple of podium finishes before returning to Le Mans in 1986. Unfortunately, after starting out strong and looking like a lock for the podium, the 962 came across an oil spill, left the track, and headed to retirement yet again. After the conclusion of the 1986 season, the car was sold to Joest Racing, who piloted it to a second-place finish at the the 1987 1000 Kilometers of Nürburgring.
Many races would follow before this Porsche 962 made a return to Le Mans in 1988, bringing home a fifth place finish in what can truly call a case of well-deserved retribution. Following that triumphant return, the racer was sold to a U.S.-based collector and has since made appearances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Silverstone Classic, and received a full-blown restoration in 2018.
As one half of the highly-successful Porsche Group C racing effort of the time along with the 956, the 962 rarely pops up for sale in any form, making this a rather notable occasion. The auction house certainly realizes this, as it has assigned an estimate of $6.4 to $9.6 million for this particular example – a lofty ask for any car, but then again, this is no ordinary car.
Photos: RM Sotheby’s
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