One rare road-going racing icon.
As automotive enthusiasts, we wish that we could get our hands on most of the racecars that battle it out on the track for use on the street. But it isn’t that easy thanks to all of the regulations and laws that tell us we’re not allowed. Once in a great while, however, one of those special racecars pops up in street-legal form and commands a hefty price tag. The Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Edition is one of those.
Specialist Cars Ltd. in the UK specializes in Porsches, especially rare Porsches. It has four Carrera GTs in stock – enough said. But the Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Edition is the one that steals the spotlight. The car was originally built for the Dyson Racing IMSA team in the US for about $2 million. There were plans to build more of the cars, but those were unfortunately scrapped. Inside, a special signature from racing legend, Derek Bell, is worn on a small plaque with the build number “00” on the inside of the door.
A special aluminum Fabcar monocoque with integrated roll cage forms the basis for the road-going super car which was then wrapped with a carbon fiber long-tail body. Two leather bucket seats are featured in the interior along with a number of convenience options such as air conditioning, parking sensors, an intercom system, and electric side mirrors. A removable steering wheel, air jacks, fire extinguisher, and front and rear tow straps provide safety for the racetrack.
Instead of the standard 2.8-liter flat-six that powered the racing version of the Porsche 962, the Derek Bell Signature Edition the twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six air-cooled engine from the 993-generation 911 GT2 with an output of 580 bhp and 524 lb-ft. (741 Nm) of torque. With the weight of the super car being only 830 kg (1830 lbs.), that’s good for a power-to-weight ratio of 700 bhp/ton. For reference, a McLaren F1 is 550 bhp/ton, making the Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Edition in a league of its own.
Much of the chassis is not only competent on the racetrack, but also built to handle the bumps and obstacles on the road. A Koni adjustable suspension with hydraulically adjustable ride height helps to tailor the 962 to specific tracks and also allows drivers to navigate speed bumps and steep inclines without damage. Massive 350 mm floating Brembo brakes with adjustable front/rear bias help bring the super car to a halt while a 120 liter fuel tank provides a decent range.
The one-of-a-kind road-going Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Edition is available for £ 324,995/ $ 516,059 from Specialist Cars Ltd. in the UK.
Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Specifications
[toggle title=”Engine“]Displacement: 3.6 liters
Number of Cylinders: Flat-six
Aspiration: Twin Turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 580 bhp
Maximum Torque: 524 lb-ft. (741 Nm)
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 700 bhp per ton
[/toggle]
[toggle style=”closed” title=”Transmission“]
Type: Five-speed manual
Drive: Rear wheel
[/toggle]
[toggle style=”closed” title=”Body“]
-Aluminium Fabcar monocoque
-Integrated roll cage
-Carbon fiber long-tail body
-120 liter fuel tank
-830 kg/1829.84 lbs. weight
[/toggle]
[toggle style=”closed” title=”Chassis“]
-Air jacks
-Front and rear towing straps
-Koni adjustable suspension with hydraulic adjustable ride height
-350 mm floating Brembo brakes with adjustable bias
[/toggle]
[toggle style=”closed” title=”Interior“]
-Leather bucket seats
-Fire extinguisher
-Air conditioning
-Parking sensors
-Intercom system
-Electric mirrors
-Removable steering wheel
-Derek Bell signed plaque on inside door panel
[/toggle]
Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Gallery
[Not a valid template][Source: Specialist Cars Ltd.]
Would you pay £324,995/ $516,059 for the Porsche 962 Derek Bell Signature Edition for the road? Leave a comment and let us know!
