Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a tribute to Jo Siffert

White body, front fenders painted in apple green, black magnesium alloy wheels: this is the paint job of this car. Porsche On 10 August 1969, Kurt Ahrens and Joseph Siffert drove the 917 KH to victory at the 1,000-kilometre Österreichring near Zeltweg, Austria. The colours of the 917 provided inspiration for the decoration of the 911 GT3 RS built by Porsche Exclusive on the 55th anniversary of the prototype’s first victory in Zuffenhausen. A classy way to celebrate Swiss driver Jo Siffert, who fell at the wheel of his BRM Formula One car at Brands Hatch in the UK on 24 October 1971. Siffert was also one of the friendliest men of his generation. Jo Siffert was virtually unrivalled in the field of endurance racing and helped Porsche to three consecutive world championships in 1969, 1970 and 1971.

However, his record still lacks a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Engine designer Heini Mader said of Siffert, “When he achieved great success at the Porsche factory, his attitude did not change. He is still as friendly and approachable as when he started, which is why everyone loved him and still continues to love him.”

In addition to his career as a professional driver, the Swiss nicknamed “Seppie” also opened a garage near Fribourg specializing in the purchase and sale of sports cars and competition cars. These additional sporting activities led him to provide racing prototypes for the film Le Mans with Steve McQueen.

The 911 GT3 RS pays tribute to Jo Siffert and is faithful to the 917 victory in Austria in August 1969, right down to the race number 29, the stickers from the equipment manufacturer Bosch on the rear fender and the Schell tanker on the engine grille. A unique creation. Several details are related to the Swiss champion: the silhouette of the 917 is engraved on the side fins of the rear wings, a plaque reproducing Seppi’s helmet in the colours of the Swiss flag is affixed to the B-pillars, and the headrests of the bucket seats also feature a reproduction of the famous helmet. Finally, in the centre of the central nut of the wheel rim, the silhouette of the 917 remains in everyone’s memory. It was with this prototype that Porsche set its first record in the Sarthe.