3 replies to this topic

[anbeck]

Hi there,

even though the late 1960s were marked by factory duels (Ford - Ferrari / Porsche Ferrari), it seems it was quite a time for privateers as well. Especially with Porsche producing lots of cars (from the 906 to the 917) this must have been one of the better times for customer teams to do more than GT (and the Salzburg 917 even embarrased the works team from time to time).

Besides a privileged link to the factory (such as the Salzburg team and Porsche), what did it take to enter a private sports car in this era? How much was a new/used car, such as a Porsche 908 or 917? And what kind of staff was needed to run it?

Thanks a lot in advance!
André

[Norman Jones]

This has the potential of a good thread. In the Can Am DVD John Surtees desribed his championship year and it was done with a couple of mechanics, a trailer and a couple of gofers recruited at each round.

Compare this with an average entrant at a Masters round - huge artic, awnings, motorhome and a bunch of engineers in corporate clothing. Despite this increase in costs, some still struggle to finish a 10 lap race...

[anbeck]

I found only that thread:

http://forums.autosp...&threadid=87158

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
In 1967 A McLaren Mk 2 or 1B as people are now calling them went for about $8,500. That was with a fresh Traco 333 cu in engine. In 1968 a Lola Mk 3 went for about $10,000 less engine. The engines cost about $7,500 for a 365 cu in Bartz engine that put out about 500 hp. Used 333 cu in engines went for about $4,500. The 333 put out about 420hp. A mk 6 McLaren cost about $12,000 this was less engine but with a gearbox. So a complete brand new Mk6 was about $20,000. It probably would have cost about $2,000 per race to run it. That would be if your friends were your pit crew. That would include entry and rooms and food.

An Autosport Ad has that small prototype:

Ginetta-Climax V8 G12 Grp 6 prototype 1.5 litre FT200 box £1875.00

Any info is appreciated!

[Lotus23]

I had a good friend who bought a brand-new 904 Porsche ~ 1965. It cost $8000, which seemed like a heckuva lotta money then. I went with him to a number of races, and was frequently his only "crew". We towed it on an open 2-wheeled trailer. Fortunately, the 904 was quite reliable and needed little trackside maintenance.

My own Lotus23 (23-S-28) cost $3500 in 1965. I was her 3rd owner; she'd won an SCCA national championship 2 years earlier in the hands of her first owner. Same towing arrangements; my VW bus was bog-slow, but reliable as an anvil and carried a lot of "stuff". I'd stripped the interior and installed a foldup bunk so one of us could sleep in it. istr the biggest expenses were Goodyear tires (generally one set [~ $180] per weekend) and motel rooms (~ $25/night). My crew generally consisted of one or two buddies who'd work for cheap food and free beer. Nonetheless, it consumed every dime I made as an Army captain. My unfurnished (and rather seedy) apt then was $45/mo.