- The penultimate Porsche 906 built

- Works entry at Mugello (Cella/Biscaldi)

- Only three owners from new

- Exceptional racing history and record

- Owned by its driver, Vittorio Mascari, from 1971 to 2013

- High-quality restoration that preserved the original chassis and bodywork

- One of the best cars in the 2-litre Sports category from the 1960s

The Porsche 906, or Carrera 6, is one of the most fascinating and beautiful cars in the 2-litre Sports category from the 1960s and ‘70s, and with the most titles to its credit. In addition to these qualities, the 906-161 we are offering for sale is exceptional in two respects: it is in close to original condition and was owned for nearly 40 years by the same amateur racing driver.

After leaving the workshops on 9 June 1967, it was entered by the factory on 23 July in the Trofeo Frescobaldi at the Mugello circuit, driven by Leo Cella and Giampiero Biscaldi, where it finished fifth and won its category. The manufacturer then sold it to Guido Nicolaï, who entered it in the Monza 1000 Km in April 1968 but did not actually take part. During the second half of 1968, he competed in several races in Italy, nearly always finishing on the podium in his category and winning the Camucia-Cortona hill climb. In September, he finished eighth overall in the Imola 500 Km.

In 1971, the car was bought by Vittorio Mascari, a privateer who raced under the name ‘Mascaleros’. Originally from San Giuseppe Jato in Sicily, Mascari was a true enthusiast. His first race was in 1957, driving his father’s Fiat 1100, and at the start of the 1960s he settled in Tuscany for professional reasons. He took part in the Targa Florio several times, and could be seen at the circuit at Mugello with an Alfa TZ in 1967, an Alfa 2600 in 1968 and an ATS 1000 Sport in 1969 and 1970. As a genuine amateur, he worked during the week and went racing at the weekend, doing everything he could to avoid accidents and mechanical problems. In 1971, he entered 17 races with the 906, including the Gran Premio della Repubblica, held in June at Vallelunga, where he finished fourth behind Mike Parkes’ Ferrari 512 S, Jo Siffert’s Porsche 917K and Ennio Bonomelli’s Porsche 910. He competed in several races in 1972 as well, and a classified ad in Autosprint shows that he was looking to sell the 906, but without success, with the result that in 1973 and 1975 he again took part in several hill climbs, always achieving very decent results.

After this, he used the 906-161 in historic races until 2007, when he sold the car to another equally passionate enthusiast. Altogether, Mascari kept the car for nigh on 40 years!

The new owner wanted to take part in demanding historic events like the Tour Auto in France, which meant a restoration of the 906 was called for. Aware however of the car’s remarkably well-preserved condition, he resolved to keep as many original parts as possible. He sent it to the specialist Robert Médard, where the polyester body panels were completely removed and an aluminium jig was fabricated to support, repair and preserve them. As when the car was originally built, the body was not moulded onto the chassis but fastened every 20/30 cm. The floor panels were more badly damaged and were repaired or rebuilt.

The mechanical components were restored by Marc de Siebenthal, a Porsche specialist in Switzerland. The engine was completely rebuilt with a new magnesium block and chrome cylinder liners with a honeycomb pattern (as per the works specifications). Several parts still have their original factory markings.

Sold with several documents including its ‘Passaporto Tecnico’ from the Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana, recording its racing history after 1998, this Porsche 906-161, originally a works car, is one of the few to remain in its original configuration, thanks to its history with three passionate and meticulous owners. This makes it a remarkable witness to a golden era in motorsport and an ideal car with which to take part in the most prestigious historic events, where it will be one of the fastest and most prominent models.

Photos © Kevin Van Campenhout