The 718 RS 60 Spyder recorded a number of stunning victories, both in the World Supercar Championship and in the European Hill Climb Championship.
Porsche developed the Porsche 718 RS60 Spyder for the 1960 season. This car featured a decisive modification: whereas its predecessor – the Porsche 718 RSK – had featured a cubic capacity of 1,498 cc, the Carrera engine in the new model boasted an increased capacity of 1,587 cc. This was implemented in response to a technical rule change by the FIA, which had raised the cubic capacity limit from 1,500 to 1,600 cc for the 1960 racing season.
In order to comply with the new FIA regulations, the Porsche718 RS60 Spyder included extra enhancements such as a much higher windscreen and a larger cockpit. The tubular frame was also modified accordingly. The FIA also required that a top be fitted: although the use of this was not mandatory when racing, it did at least have to be present in the car. The requirement for a boot measuring 65 × 40 × 20 centimetres was an equally curious stipulation. In March 1960, Edgar Barth demonstrated to reporters that this rear compartment located above the gearbox could indeed accommodate a small suitcase.
The Porsche718 RS60 Spyder was also fitted with an entirely new rear suspension comprising two wishbones, the lower of which was combined with a trailing arm. In coupling this development with significant improvements to the front axle, Porsche showed how the upgrades were additionally aimed at ensuring even better driving characteristics.
It soon became apparent that the higher windscreen was causing difficulties. As this had a tendency to fog up in the rain and sustain heavy soiling, it was necessary to attach extra windscreen wipers – on the inside.
Overall victories in Sebring and in the Targa Florio, where the Porsche718 RS60 Spyder triumphed against competitors featuring a larger cubic capacity, saw the car nicknamed the ‘giant killer’. Porsche finished runner-up in the World Supercar Championship despite earning the same number of points as Ferrari: as the Italian manufacturer had recorded one more podium finish, this enabled them to win the title by a whisker. Nevertheless, the Porsche718 RS60 Spyder went on to take spectacular victories in the USA and in the European Hill Climb Championship. Heini Walter recorded wins in the mountain races at the Schauinsland in Freiburg, on Mont Ventoux – the ‘Windy Mountain’ – and in Ollon-Villars on the way to securing a third consecutive title for Porsche.
The Porsche 718 RS60 has been on stage at the Porsche Sound Night 2016. Herbert Linge told some exciting stories about the car and his personal experiences with it.
Technical specifications of the Porsche 718 RS60 Spyder
| engine | Type 547/4 Flat-4 |
| position | Mid, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Twin Weber 46 IDM1 Carburetors |
| displacement | 1587 cc / 96.8 in³ |
| compression | 9.8:1 |
| power | 111.9 kw / 150 bhp @ 7800 rpm |
| specific output | 94.52 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 258.18 bhp per tonne |
| torque | -1.0 nm / -1.0 ft lbs @ 8000 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Spaceframe |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 5.5×15 |
| rear tires | 6.00×15 |
| front brakes | Magnesium Drums |
| rear brakes | Magnesium Drums |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 10.2 cm / 15 x 4 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 10.2 cm / 15 x 4 in |
| steering | Worm & Nut |
| f suspension | Trailing Arms w/Koni Shock Absorbers, Coil Springs |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Koni Shock Absorbers, Coil Springs |
| curb weight | 581 kg / 1280 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2200 mm / 86.6 in |
| front track | 1290 mm / 50.8 in |
| rear track | 1250 mm / 49.2 in |
| length | 3700 mm / 145.7 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~230 kph / 142.9 mph |
| key drivers | Graham Hill, Jo Bonnier, Hans Herrmann |
| race victories | 1960 Sebring 12 Hours 1OA, 1960 Targa Florio 1OA |
Pictures courtesy Porsche AG and Tim Havermans
