2019 Porsche Replicas

This Porsche 718/2 Recreation is a well-presented and impressive homage to the famous 1960s single-seater F2/F1 open-wheel race car, which was meticulously hand-crafted over seven years by Hardt Classics. It is powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 1.5-litre ‘Flat Fan’ flat-four, fed by dual downdraft carburettors and producing up to 130bhp at 7,000rpm, which sends its power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. This finely crafted tribute was built between 2019 and 2020, and it is offered for sale by its first and only owner. Reflecting its impressive accuracy and unique status, this 718 F2/F1 Recreation has previously been displayed at Porsche Centre Doncaster in Melbourne. In 1958 Porsche received some encouraging news: the 1961 F1 would run the same regulations as F2 racing cars from the 1950s and the same engine capacity of 1.5 litres. This gave Porsche a clear advantage, as they had already successfully campaigned a 1.5-litre engine in their 718 RSK F2 race car. An example of the 718/2 single seater was prepared for the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix, but its race was soon cut short after the car hit a wall on the first lap. Over the rest of the season, the prototype 718/2 driven by Jo Bonnier secured 3rd in class at the Reims Grand Prix, and won its class at Brands Hatch, also coming 4th overall. Porsche went on to build four further cars, and revised the prototype. The 718/2 posted impressive results through the 1960 season, with Stirling Moss and Jo Bonnier eventually tied with Wolfgang von Trips in 3rd place for the Drivers’ Championship, and Porsche drawing the Constructors’ Championship level with Cooper on 26 points. For 1961, the car was campaigned in Formula One, with drivers Jo Bonnier, Dan Gurney, and Hans Herrmann. While the championship races were dominated by Lotus-Climax and Ferrari, the 718/2 did eventually give Porsche its first ever F1 victory in the Coppa Italia held at Vallelunga – and the ’18’ racing number on this car bears tribute to that event. Unfortunately, due largely to the unreliable 804 racer, Ferry Porsche brought the marque’s F1 programme to an end in 1962 to focus on sports car racing, though the remaining 718/2 continued to race in the hands of privateers up until 1964. Chassis number 718/2-05 – which inspired this recreation – was the factory's test mule, and was constantly modified and upgraded during its racing life. It boasted the title of being the first Porsche to be fitted with the ‘Flat Fan’ configuration platform, which was revolutionary at the time, and also received numerous changes to the bodywork, engine and suspension. Sadly, during a race in 1962 at Zandvoort, 718/2-05 was involved in a serious accident while driven by local Dutch Porsche dealer Ben Pon, and the car was subsequently scrapped by the factory. Fast forward 60 years, and the ill-fated test mule 718/2-05 has been ‘reborn’. Over the course of seven years and around 10,000 man hours of work, the technicians at Hardt Classics hand-built this faithful recreation, which included using a wooden body buck to mould the aluminium outer skin to the period dimensions and profile; using as a guide various drawings, machinery, parts, and even original factory blueprints. As much of the car as possible was assembled using techniques and tools used in period. In the Hardt Classics team’s own words: “Every effort was made to produce a vehicle that not only visually would have the correct impact, but could also perform”. Its chassis is a steel spaceframe using cold-drawn seamless tubing, with a 2300mm wheelbase, featuring independent rear suspension, torsion bars in front, coil springs at the rear, and with dual-circuit helical 60mm finned drum brakes. This example is finished with a period-correct bare aluminium finish, with a black ‘18’ racing number and subtle ‘Hardt Classics’ side decals. The purposeful cockpit features a red vinyl-trimmed bucket seat and headrest, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. It rides on a period-correct set of 15-inch ‘lightweight’ steel/aluminium wheels, fitted with Hoosier race tyres. Its 1.5-litre ‘Flat Fan’ two-valve engine is fed by dual downdraft carburettors, plus twin electric Bendix fuel pumps. The top speed is rated at around 220km/h. Other equipment includes a low-level windshield, twin bullet-style mirrors, and a VDO rev counter. The build history is available from Hardt Classics Special Projects Division, and a Certificate of Authenticity from Hardt is also provided. Please refer to the photo gallery to assess the exterior and interior condition. Notable maintenance since the build was completed includes a brake adjustment, an engine oil change, and engine tuning. This Porsche 718 F2/F1 Recreation is a professionally built tribute to the famous 1960s single-seat Formula 2 and Formula 1 open-wheel race car, which was hand-crafted fastidiously over seven years by Hardt Classics, using a raft of faithful parts, blueprints, techniques and tools. Presented in bare aluminium, equipped with a distinctive 1.5-litre ‘Flat Fan’ flat-four engine, and built with detailed reference to numerous original period sources; it would make a superb addition to any marque-specific or motorsport-themed collection in particular. The seller also states that FIA certification should be possible, and if achieved, it could make this car a crowd-pleasing entrant for various prestigious historic motorsport events, such as the Goodwood Revival and Monaco Historic Grand Prix. The description of this consignment is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. Potential buyers should view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy. Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible vehicles to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, either to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be undetectable even upon visual inspection. 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