Porsche 718 Research Hub

Evolution

The 718 was all about ongoing development, itself an evolution of the type 550. In 1956 it was followed by the 550 A Spyder (40 units) which had a tubular space frame and a more powerful engine. In 1956, the Italian driver Umberto Maglioli raced to sensational victory in a 550 A at the Targa Florio, which was the most challenging road race at that time. Today, the engine known as the “Fuhrmann engine” is nearly as legendary as the vehicles themselves with its four overhead camshafts. Nearly as legendary as the car itself is its power train with four overhead camshafts, known to this day as a Fuhrmann engine.

718 RSK Becomes A Winner

The successor to the 550 A made its debut in 1957 as the 718 RSK (34 units). Motorsport and technology were closely intertwined in its name. While the “RS” stands for “race sport”, the “K” referred to the newly developed front torsion bar springs. They were arranged in the form of a capital “K” on its back. The 718 was further improved to address all concerns compared to its predecessor. A frame made of seamless steel tubing gave it high strength and an ideal lightweight design. The engine, chassis and drum brakes were also further optimised.

The 718 RSK celebrated successes across the globe, e.g. at Le Mans, the Nürburgring, in Argentina, Riverside in California and at numerous hill climb races. The 550 A Spyder and the 718 RSK both proved the enormous potential of their Porsche designs in Formula-2 racing. Further developed into a monoposto, the 718/2 even won the Formula-2 manufacturers world championship in 1960.

718 RS 60 Now A Benchmark

When new FIA regulations for race sports cars demanded greater similarities with production street cars, Porsche responded with the 718 RS 60 (19 units) for the 1960 season. The car quickly became the benchmark in the 1.6-litre class. Its greatest sport successes were overall victories at the Targa Florio, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the European Hill Climb Championship in the years 1960 and 1961. The 718 RS 61 Spyder (13 units) was built starting in October 1960. It was primarily raced by individual drivers. Its technical highlight was a new rear suspension with wishbones.

The Coupe

In order to also exploit the potential of the 718 Spyder at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 718 RS 61 was further developed into a coupé version. In 1961, the 718 GTR – which still had a four-cylinder engine – went to the starting line. For the 1962 season, it was equipped with a two-litre eight-cylinder and disc brakes. Also using these two engine types was the 718 W-RS Spyder that raced from 1961 to 1964. Mechanics gave it the endearing nickname “Grandmother” during its multi-year race career. The one-off car won the European Hill Climb Championship in 1963 and 1964 and proved once again the potential of the Porsche mid-engine concept.

Versatile Enough for F2 (& F1)

The Porsche 718/2 was a single-seater development of the 718 sportscar chassis and in fact intended for racing in Formula Two. But when the Formula One regulations limited engine capacity to 1.5-litre in 1961, they offered the possibility to run the car in Formula One.

Up against strong opposition from Cooper, Ferrari and Lotus, Porsche won the unofficial Formula 2 World Championship in 1960 – the “Coupe des Constructeurs”. As a design platform for the single-seater Porsche opts for the proven 718/2 RSK Spyder chassis with independent suspension and torsion bar springs at the front as well as coil springs at the rear and dual-circuit drum brakes. The aluminium body is formed by hand over a wooden body buck.

The 718/2 F2 is powered by the four-cam Carrera motor that has notched up countless race victories, and the power transmission is by an in-house-developed synchronised manual six-speed gearbox. Because Formula 2 is contested alongside Formula 1 over longer distances, from 1961 the wheelbase of the 718/2 is extended by ten centimetres to make room for larger fuel tanks. Joakim Bonnier clinches second at the Brussels Grand Prix in 1962, and third place two weeks later at Snetterton.