1973 Porsche 911 Racer With Martini Livery Is a Stunning Find

Rare and Special

In the world of motorsports, few liveries (with the exception of Gulf, perhaps) are as beloved, renowned, and easily recognized as Martini. The Martini livery graced the flanks of many iconic racers over the years, including this very special machine - a real 1973 Porsche 911 RSR R7 endurance racer that was recently auctioned off at Bonham's Goodwood Revival sale. 

Photos: Bonham's

Impressive Result

Aside from its iconic looks, this 911 also enjoyed some success on the track, as it was co-driven by works drivers Herbie Müller and Gijs van Lennep to a fourth overall place finish at the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans. What makes that result even more impressive is that it came among a group of open-cockpit sports prototype racers powered by 12-cylinder engines. 

Photos: Bonham's

Moving On

That wasn't the end for this Martini-themed racer, however, as it went on to finish ninth overall in the Osterreichring 1,000-kilometer race that same year with Helmut Koinigg and Manfred Schurti sharing driving duties. It then moved on to Watkins Glen in New York, where Brumos Racing gave the car its own distinct livery, a longer tail, and new wing, as Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood secured a seventh-place finish.

Photos: Bonham's

Globe Trotter

Following the conclusion of the 1973 racing season, this Porsche was sold to Hector Rebaque Sr. in Mexico, who employed his son, Hector Jr., to drive it professionally under the Rebaque Rojas team banner. However, when the younger Hector moved on to bigger and better things, the car changed hands multiple times over the years prior to this sale.

Photos: Bonham's

Where It all Started

Now, this very special, very rare - only 55 RSRs of this vintage were built in total - has changed hands yet again, after it at some point made its way back to the U.S. It has since been cosmetically returned to its original 1973 Le Mans form by French specialist Raymond Touroul, who gave it the distinctive 'Mary Tudor' rear wing/aerodynamic spoiler form and the original-style Martini Racing livery.

Photos: Bonham's

Rarefied Air

Back in 2016, the RSR was transported to Porsche Classic in Germany, where the brand's veteran senior engineer and former works team manager, Norbert Singer, inspected it and gave it his important seal of approval. Today, "R7" is considered to be the most well-preserved of the mere eight works cars built - of which two were written off in the period, and only four have escaped being extensively modified.

Photos: Bonham's

Special Piece of History

Thus, it's no surprise that multiple collectors jumped at the chance to bid on this very special piece of Porsche - and motorsports - history, though Bonham's didn't disclose the hammer price. Regardless, we do know that it was a pretty lofty figure, given the car's rarity, prominence, and that iconic livery.

Photos: Bonham's

>>Join the conversation about this Martini Porsche 911 race car right here at Rennlist.com.

>>For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section.