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1977 Porsche 935/77

Porsche continued development of the factory-entered 935 for the 1977 season of the group 5 sports car championship. They raced alongside customer-purchased 935s that were inferior in specification, but provided the only real competition on the European circuits.

For 1977 Porsche changed several aspects of the design including higher suspension pickup points and a revised rear wing/window area. To take advantage of the rules, Porsche fitted a second rear window over the standard one to retain what the CSI called the body structure. This let the intercooler intakes sit on each side of the rear wing stantions and helped control air over into the wing.

A further modification of the body included running boards which helped manage airflow under the car. The mirrors were also fully integrated into the design.

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Porsche used an engine similar to the 1976 version except twin turbochargers were fitted to help reduce throttle lag. These weren’t included in the customer cars until a year later.

Two cars were prepared for the factory team in Martini-sponsored livery. After a crash at Mugello one of the cars was replaced bring to total to three cars. Later in the season victories at Silverstone, Watkins Glen and Brands Hatch secured the FIA World Championship of Makes for Porsche.

Sources & Further Reading.

1. Starkey, John. 930 to 935 The Turbo Porsches. Gryfon Publishers: 1998.

 

In Detail

type Racing Car
built at Weissach, Germany
engineers Norbert Singer
production 3
engine Type 935/78 Boxer-6
position Rear, Longitudinal
aspiration Twin KKK Turbochargers
block material Aluminum
valvetrain SOHC, 2 Valves perCyl
fuel feed Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
displacement 2994 cc / 182.71 in³
bore 95 mm / 3.7 in
stroke 70.4 mm / 2.8 in
compression 6.5:1
power 417.6 kw / 630 bhp @ 7900 rpm
specific output 210.42 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 700.0 bhp per tonne
body / frame Unitary Steel Monocoque w/Fiberglas Panels
driven wheels RWD
front brakes Ventilated Discs w/4-Piston Calipers
rear brakes Ventilated Discs w/4-Piston Calipers
front wheels F 40.6 x 26.7 cm / 16 x 10.5 in
rear wheels R 48.3 x 38.1 cm / 19 x 15 in
steering Rack & Pinion
f suspension MacPherson Struts w/Bilstein Dampers, Adjustable Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Double Wishbones w/Bilstein Dampers, Adjustable Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight 900 kg / 1985 lbs
weight distro 40 % / 60 %
wheelbase 2271 mm / 89.4 in
front track 1501 mm / 59.1 in
rear track 1557 mm / 61.3 in
length 4681 mm / 184.3 in
width 1971 mm / 77.6 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual
key drivers Jackie Ickx, Jochen Mass