The History of The 910
910 #022 pictured above at Velocity Invitational in Sonoma, California.
The Porsche 910: A Racing Legend Redefined
When it comes to motorsport innovation, the Porsche 910 stands out with its significant upgrades over the original 906 model. One of the most notable changes is the adoption of 13-inch wheels and tires, similar to those used in Formula One. This design choice, coupled with a single central nut for wheel attachment instead of the traditional five-nut setup found on road cars, made the 910 less suited for street use. However, this alteration greatly enhanced pit stop efficiency, allowing teams to minimize downtime during races.
In terms of dimensions, the Porsche 910 is both lighter and shorter than its predecessor, the 906. With a length of 4113 mm, a width of 1680 mm, and a height of just 980 mm, this car was engineered for speed and agility on the track.
The 910 made its competitive debut in mid-1966, kicking off with the European Hill Climb Championship from Sierre to Crans-Montana in Switzerland. Under the hood, it featured a range of powerful engines, including:
A 1991 cc 6-cylinder (901/20) producing 200 PS (147 kW) with Weber 46IDA3C carburetors.
A 1991 cc 6-cylinder (901/21) with mechanical fuel injection (MFI) slide throttle, offering 220 PS (162 kW).
A 2195 cc 6-cylinder (907) with MFI that cranked out an impressive 270 PS (199 kW).
The standout 1981 cc 8-cylinder engine (Typ 771) available in the 910/8 variant, boasting up to 275 PS (202 kW).
The Short but Impactful Legacy of the Porsche 910
The Porsche 910 had a brief but impactful racing career, competing for just about a year under factory support. During this time, its primary competition included the formidable Ferrari Dino 206 P. While the 910 showcased impressive speed, it struggled against the more powerful Ford GT40 and other Ferrari prototypes on faster tracks, making overall victories a tough challenge.
One of the highlights of the 910's racing tenure came at the 1967 1000 km Nürburgring. Porsche entered a fleet of six factory cars, hoping to secure their first overall win at this prestigious event on home soil. Unfortunately, two of the three 8-cylinder cars experienced mechanical issues and retired, while the sole survivor managed a respectable fourth place. However, the three 6-cylinder entries delivered a stellar performance, finishing in a 1-2-3 sweep. This remarkable achievement marked Porsche's first outright win in a major World Sportscar Championship event since the Targa Florio in 1956 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1960.
As the 910's racing days came to a close, Porsche was already shifting focus to the new 907 "long tails," which made their debut at Le Mans, finishing fifth and outpacing a 910 and two 906 models.
