The history of the Porsche 934: From track to legend
The Porsche 934 embodies the very essence of automotive engineering and track racing. Its fascinating history dates back to the 1970s, when Porsche decided to take part in production car racing, notably in the FIA World Sports Car Championship.
Designed as an evolution of the Porsche 911 Turbo, the 934 has been specially adapted for racing. Its distinctive design, characterized by a large rear spoiler and imposing fender flares, gives it an undeniable presence on the track. But it's under the hood that the real power lies: a turbocharged flat-six engine capable of delivering outstanding performance.
The 934 soon dominated circuits the world over, claiming impressive victories in legendary events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. Its exceptional track record and legendary aura have made it one of the most iconic racing cars of all time.
What engine is underneath a Porsche 934?
Under the hood of the 934 is a 3.0L flat-six turbocharged engine.
Featuring a flat-six architecture, the Porsche 934's engine is designed to be compact and lightweight, optimizing weight distribution and improving the car's handling on the track. Thanks to the flat configuration of the cylinders, the engine also benefits from a low center of gravity, which contributes to better handling and enhanced stability during high-speed cornering.
The turbocharger fitted to the 934's engine is the key to its impressive performance. By compressing the air entering the cylinders, the turbocharger significantly increases engine power, delivering blistering acceleration and a remarkable top speed on the track.
Typical turbo boost pressure for the Porsche 934 is around 1.2 to 1.5 bar.
In terms of power, the 934's engine can develop up to 485 horsepowermaking it a true racing beast.
Technical specifications of the Porsche 934
The Porsche 934 is much more than just a racing car. It is the result of meticulous engineering and cutting-edge technology, designed to deliver exceptional performance on the track. Nowhere near as powerful as today's GT3 RS, it was revolutionary for its time.
Engine: A turbocharged flat-six, developing an impressive power output of up to 485 hp.
Chassis: Based on the structure of the Porsche 911 Turbo, with specific modifications to optimize rigidity and handling.
Aerodynamics: An aggressive aerodynamic design, featuring a large rear spoiler and fender flares to maximize stability at high speeds.
Transmission: A five-speed manual gearbox for fast, precise gear changes.
Brakes: High-performance brakes with ventilated discs and multi-piston calipers for effective braking on the track.
Design and development : The engineering behind performance
The design and development of the 934 are the fruit of exceptional engineering work, aimed at creating a competitive, high-performance racing car. Every aspect of the car has been meticulously studied and optimized to deliver the best on-track performance.
Porsche has invested considerable resources in the development of the 934, drawing on its automotive engineering expertise and racing experience. Extensive track and wind tunnel testing was carried out to refine the car's design and maximize its performance potential.
The end result is a radical racing car, capable of competing with the best on circuits the world over. Its turbocharged engine, agile chassis and aggressive aerodynamics make it a formidable machine on the track.
Worldwide racing success for the Porsche 934
The 934's racing successes left their mark on the history of motor racing, asserting its dominance on circuits around the world in the 1970s and in the early 1980s. Here's a look back at the triumphs of this legendary racing car:
Endurance championships: The 934 has won numerous prestigious endurance championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Thanks to its exceptional reliability, impressive power and handling, the 934 has dominated long endurance races, setting new standards for performance and durability.
Touring car championships: As well as endurance events, the 934 also shone in touring car championships around the world. It was formidable on both city and road circuits, winning multiple championship titles in series such as the European Touring Car Championship(ETCC) and the IMSA Championship in the USA.
Sprint events: The Porsche 934's versatility has also enabled it to shine in sprint events, where its explosive power and precise handling have made it a formidable competitor. Whether on short or twisty circuits, the Porsche 934 has amassed an impressive record of victories in sprint races around the world.
Special editions and variants of the Porsche 934
The 934, already impressive in its own right, was the basic model for several special editions and variants that enriched its heritage on circuits around the world.
Among the most notable variants are the Porsche 934/5 and Porsche 934/6, which were developed to meet the specific requirements of certain races and championships. These variants featured aerodynamic enhancements, suspension tuning and engine adjustments to optimize performance on specific circuits.
The Porsche 934 RSR is an improved version of the standard 934, developed for endurance racing. Produced in limited numbers.
The Porsche 934 Turbo RSR is a special edition designed specifically for sprint and hill-climb racing. Featuring a more powerful turbocharged engine, the Porsche 934 Turbo RSR was a formidable machine on short, twisty circuits.
In addition, some special editions of the Porsche 934 were produced in limited numbers to commemorate racing successes or to celebrate special events in the brand's history. These special editions often featured unique design and performance features, making them highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts of historic automobiles.
The Porsche 934, such a rare model
The Porsche 934 is much more than just a racing car; it's a rare collector 's item prized by car enthusiasts the world over. With only a limited number of examples produced, the 934 has become one of the most sought-after racing cars on the collector car market.
Its exclusivity and illustrious history make it a valuable investment for collectors and racing enthusiasts, on a par with the Porsche 930.
Around 30 models were built for the Group 4 competition, and around 10 for Group 5.
It is difficult to give a precise order of magnitude due to the variety of modifications and evolutions made to the Porsche 934 throughout its production. It is generally estimated that a few dozen 934s were produced in different variants for competition.
The Porsche 934's track rivals?
The Porsche 934 dominated the world's racetracks in the 1970s and early 1980s, but it wasn't the only formidable competitor on the track.
The 934's main rivals included cars such as the BMW 3.0 CSL, Ford Capri RS3100, Chevrolet Corvette and De Tomaso Pantera.
These cars were formidable opponents, offering impressive performance and often rivalling the Porsche 934 for victory on the most prestigious circuits.
Restoration and preservation: Maintaining a Porsche 934
Entretenir une Porsche 934 est un processus complexe qui nécessite une attention particulière aux détails et une expertise approfondie des spécifications techniques de la voiture. Comme pour toute voiture de course historique, il existe des points de fragilité spécifiques sur la Porsche 934 qui nécessitent une attention particulière lors de la restauration et de la préservation.
The cooling system
Due to the high thermal stresses encountered on the track, the 934's cooling system can be subjected to considerable stress. Regular checks on the condition of the radiator, hoses and fan are essential to avoid overheating problems.
The transmission
The 934's gearbox and clutch are subjected to high loads during fast gear changes and standing starts on the track. It's important to monitor the wear of transmission components and maintain them regularly to ensure optimum performance.
The suspension
The 934's suspension is designed to provide agile handling and precise maneuverability on the track. However, suspension components can be subjected to severe stress when racing on circuits. It is therefore crucial to check and replace worn shock absorbers, springs and suspension ball joints to maintain the car's stability and performance.
Porsche 934, the FAQ
What is a Porsche 934?
The Porsche 934 is a legendary racing car developed by Porsche in the 1970s to compete in endurance and touring car championships.
What are the technical specifications of the Porsche 934?
The 934 was equipped with a 3.0-liter flat-six engine, turbocharger, five-speed manual gearbox and lightweight fiberglass body.
How successful has the Porsche 934 been in competition?
The 934 has won many prestigious endurance championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
What are the special editions of the Porsche 934?
Some special editions (Porsche 934/5, Porsche 934/6, the Porsche 634 RSR) were produced in limited numbers, adding an aura of rarity and exclusivity to these already iconic models.
Who were the Porsche 934's track rivals?
The 934 had several formidable rivals on the track, including the BMW 3.0 CSL, the Ford Capri RS3100 and the Chevrolet Corvette.
How many Porsche 934 models were produced?
Around 31 Porsche 934s were built for Group 4 competition, and around 10 were built for Group 5 competition, with more advanced specifications.
Is it still possible to drive a Porsche 934 on the racetrack today?
Yes, many 934 owners continue to use them on the circuit for historic and demonstration events, but they are also highly prized by collectors for their historical value.
How much does it cost to buy a Porsche 934?
It's impossible to put a precise figure on it: some advertisements are for €200,000, while others are for around €800,000!
So, are you ready to take out a loan over several decades? Not sure your banker will approve...
