An unmistakable form, this 1990 Porsche 962 is to be auctioned at Amelia Island on March 9

Studio images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photos by Mike Maez.

The Repsol-sponsored Brun Porsche 962C, which came agonisingly close to one of the toughest podiums in motor sport 28 years ago, is to go under the hammer later this week at Gooding and Co’s Amelia Island auction on March 9. The price? Expected to hit somewhere between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000…

Oscar Larrauri, Walter Brun and Jesús Pareja started on the front row for the 1990 Le Mans 24 Hours, but with just 15 minutes left on the clock the trio was forced to retire having been chipping away at the Jaguar’s lead. 

This particular chassis – 962-101 – was purchased from Porsche by Dr Robert Bishop of Indianapolis, for Brun, and the agreement required the team to restore the car to as-new condition with factory parts and return it to Bishop within 90 days of the 1991 season finale in Mexico. 

The car was raced with little success for the remaining season, failing to finish three times with a highest finish of eighth, and again in 1991 as a secondary car with a highest finish of sixth, one disqualification at Suzuka and another DNF at Le Mans. It was, in keeping with the aforementioned agreement, restored by Brun’s mechanics at the end of the 1991 season and returned to Bishop. 

Related:

• 1990 Le Mans 24 Hours
• Gallery: 1971 Porsche 911 RSR Turbo

It was sold in 1997 to a Porsche enthusiast and collector, campaigned in historic racing meetings and rebuilt and restored consistently. Bodywork and tub are both original, and the Repsol livery has been restored by Porsche Motorsports North America quite recently.

The car is also eligible for Concours and historic motor sport events.