BOLD RIDE
Porsche converted its 1500 RS-K in 1957 in order to create a vehicle that would be competitive in Formula 2 racing. They turned the 4-cylinder, 4-camshaft driven vehicle into a center-seat spyder and premiered the Type 787 in Germany.
On August 4th, 1957 it made its Grand Prix debut at Nürburgring with Edgar Barth coming out not only fastest during practice, but pulling out a win for the race, too. The following year at the Grand Prix of Europe in Reims, France, another victory was scored. This time it was Jean Behra behind the wheel of the Type 787.
The car did exactly as Porsche had hoped and planned, scoring vicotries throughout 1960. The car won a triple triumph at Aintree in England with British drivers Stirling Moss and Graham Hill along with Swede Joakim Bonnier. Additional successes came at Nürburgring. Zeltweg, and Modena.
In the Coupe des Constructeurs, an unofficial Formula 2 World Championship for Makes, Porsche faced stiff competition from the likes of Lotus, Cooper, and Ferrari. Despite this, drivers Barth and Hans Herrmann, Wolfgang Count Berghe on Trips, Bonnier, and Dan Gurney managed to win over their competitors. By 1961, new Formula 1 rules saw single seaters like the Type 787 becoming the company’s entry into Grand Prix racing.
Images: PicAutos
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