Porsche 911 with ultra-rare 9552 Rally Kit
This race-derived 911 with ultra-rare 9552 Rally Kit has track pedigree in the US. Simon de Burton inspects the paperwork
Classic Porsche 911s are so ubiquitous that anyone who wants one is spoiled for choice. But occasionally a 911 appears that is hen’s-teeth rare in terms of spec, history and provenance – and this Rally version is such a car.
The original race-based R of 1967 (just 20 were built) is regarded by many as the Holy Grail of 911s. The car on offer at RM Sotheby’s, however, is likely unique in being a regular model that was upgraded in period with the optional Rally package designed to bring competition success to privateer drivers.
The colour is officially Sand Beige.
Hans Niederer, 28 back then, of Oxford, New York was one such person who fancied his chances on track and, with the help of Porsche retailer Jiri Nechleba, specified a car with the 9552 Rally Kit – which gave it tasty extras such as 906 cams and con rods, larger carburettors, wider wheels, a larger fuel tank, a competition clutch and a free-flow exhaust. The order sheet also included Sand Beige paint, black vinyl upholstery and a five-speed gearbox.
After taking delivery in June 1967, Niederer raced the socks of his 911, racking up numerous wins in local and regional SCCA autocross and gymkhana events before entering it into SCCA races a couple of years later.
2-litre flat six.
To meet with the regulations, he added a partial rollcage, Minilite wheels and a quick-fill fuel cap. And, as evinced by the remarkable array of ephemera that goes with the car, Niederer went on to take chequered flags on a regular basis until 1974. Titles secured included the New York State Sportscar Driver’s Championship, the C-Class production regional title and the SCCA’s Best Regional Driver award.
Such success spurred Niederer on to compete in the IMSA GTU class for sub-2.5 litre cars and upgrade to a 2-litre race engine supplied by top Porsche impresario Vasek Pola, but competitors with bigger budgets left him outclassed and in ’75 he put the car into storage – where it remained until being sold in 2004.
Competition seats
Subsequently rebuilt by Florida-based Michaelian Restoration for use in historic racing – who discovered it had never had a shunt in its life – the car has since become a regular at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion and various Porsche Club of America events. All it needs now is a new owner.
1967 Porsche 911 Rally
On sale at RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, California, US, August 19. £POA