Are these 956 or 962s?

[Gus Berges]

Can any of the experts help me identify the following cars? I am not sure if both (notice the car number) are 956 or 962, or which one is which model. Your help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance to all who reply.

[arerrac]

962

[Eric Coffey]

The #1 car looks like an early Werks/Rothmans 956 to me (962 = longer wheelbase).

[Gus Berges]

Anyone know for sure? I have been asked to write an article for a local mag about Rennsport 2 and they will use these two images I took at the event and I want to make sure I have the right caption for each image. I searched the web and I have found that the livery of the #1 car has been used as a 956 and 962. Could not find anything on the #11 car. Thanks

[geof33]

Almost positive they are both 956's... The wing profile of the top one is early, the wing of the lower #11 is like the cars of the 83-84 era...

[turbocarrera]

I can't tell from those photos, but there were alot more 962's(monocoque) built than 956's(tube frame). I guess you would have to have alot of old Porsche history photos to be sure.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Gus:

956's, Sir.

Short wheelbase (look where the driver's feet would be,...in front of the axle line)

Side exhaust outlets (its the 4-cam, 4-valve motor)

[andyu911]

Steve, are there any differents besides those 2 you mentioned? I'm always confuse which is which..

[turbocarrera]

I always wondered why some cars have the leading edge raised between the brake ducts and some cars have the lower leading edge. Why is that?

[Steve@Rennsport]

Porsche made MANY running changes in these two series of cars and honestly, no two are alike in detail.

Its been the same for all factory race cars since the seventies, and I suspect earlier than that,...


Andy:

There were several versions of 956-962-962C. The easiest way to ID the difference between the 956 & 962's are the front axle position relative to the driver's feet and the exhaust outlet locations.

[andyu911]

Thanks, Steve.

[jluetjen]

...built than 956's(tube frame)

Actually both cars had aluminum monocoques or tubs. The 936 was the last Porsche prototype built with a tube frame. In fact I think Porsche was the last of the manufacturers (after Renault, Ferrari, Lola, March, etc) to build a prototype via tube frame by choice. At least until the Daytona Prototypes appeared.

[oldE]

A 956 in Rothmans livery, #11, driven by Jacky Ickx & Derek Bell won the 1000km race at Brands Hatch in 1982. (J. Wood Great Marques of Germany)
As to differences which are easily spotted: didn't 962s have a large air intake on the roof behind the cabin?
Les

[masraum]

As Steve said the most important difference is where the driver is in relation to the front axle. That is actually the whole reason for the 962. I think it was IMSA who had safety regs that said you couldn't have the driver's feet extend to in front of the front axle, so they built the 962 which resolved that.

[Gus Berges]

To all, especially Steve, a big thank you!

[masraum]

Here's a 962



Here's a comparable shot of a 956

[klatinn]

I think it was IMSA who had safety regs that said you couldn't have the driver's feet extend to in front of the front axle

Oh, THAT'S why VW buses don't compete in IMSA events.

[unimog]

I think it was IMSA who had safety regs that said you couldn't have the driver's feet extend to in front of the front axle
Oh, THAT'S why VW buses don't compete in IMSA events.

GOOD ONE!

[turbocarrera]

Originally posted by jluetjen
..Actually both cars had aluminum monocoques or tubs. The 936 was the last Porsche prototype build with a tube frame...

Doh!

[Paulporsche]

Supposedly it was IMSA safety cocerns that mandated the change from 956 to 962. I've always thought it was John Bishop's way of trying to get rid of Porsche along with inlet restrictors and fuel restrictions, not thinking they would make the changes. It didn't work.

Paul