Some of the wildest production car-based racers of all time were devised under the hallowed Group 5 regulations. Although the framework was particularly liberal, Porsche still sought to exploit every loophole when it came to creating the 935 of the 1970s. At its core, the model was born out of the 930-generation 911 Turbo. However, the signature vertical headlights were ditched, and the rear fenders were elongated to help make the new model as aerodynamic as possible. Fitted with a 3.2-liter air-cooled flat-six engine fed by two turbochargers to ultimately create a staggering 845 horsepower, later 935s could almost break 230 mph.

Such potency was devastatingly effective. Variations of the Weissach wonder won the 24 Hours of Daytona six times on the spin, chalked the same tally in the 12 Hours of Sebring, and earned a hat-trick of victories on Porsche home soil in the 1,000-kilometer event at the Nürburgring. What’s more, in 1979, the 935 became the first GT-based car in three decades to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That immense success on either side of the Atlantic meant customer racing teams wanted to buy their own as Porsche evolved the recipe to culminate in the 935/78. Painted in its distinctive “Martini” livery and with even more exaggerated bodywork, the car quickly became a fan favorite and earned the nickname “Moby Dick.”

Five decades on, in a celebration of a genuine era-defining racer, Porsche began developing in secret a car known internally as “Project Flatnose.” Housing a twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter, water-cooled flat-six engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, this carbon fiber creation produced 700 horsepower to achieve an estimated top speed of 211 mph. It was also notably equipped with a 100-liter race fuel tank, center-lock wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, a lightweight battery, aluminum pedals, and a torque vectoring system. The covers finally came off at the 2018 Rennsport Reunion meeting at Laguna Seca as Porsche marked the 70th anniversary of its first production car, 356 chassis 01, and 50 years since “Moby Dick” debuted. With its huge fairings, the dramatic new 4.87-meter bodywork clearly paid tribute to the most famous 935 of them all.

Designers also took the opportunity to celebrate other Porsche motorsport greatest hits. The modern-day 935’s LED lighting on the rear wing endplates was adopted from the 919 Hybrid LMP1 prototype, while the side mirrors were borrowed from the 24 Hours of Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR. The titanium exhaust pipes mimicked the distinctive style used for the 908 from 1968. In the cockpit, a quick-release carbon fiber steering wheel and digital instrument display were lifted from the 911 GT3 R while a wooden knob atop the shift lever was a clear nod to the legendary 917, 909 Bergspyder, and Carrera GT supercar.

Based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport racecar, production of the new 935 was limited to just 77 units. As a further tribute to past racing success, Porsche later revealed a range of seven optional tribute liveries for customers to wrap their car in. The example offered here, the 70th of the 935s built, was finished by the factory in Agate Grey Metallic. It was then wrapped in a predominantly white and blue color scheme with red pinstriping as an homage to the period sponsorship by performance parts supplier Sachs.

Most significant from that partnership was chassis 23 wearing race #70. Dick Barbour, who won the IMSA class on his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in 1978, bought a customer 935 from Kremer Racing. The American, alongside Formula 5000 ace Brian Redman and 1966 British Saloon Car champion John Fitzpatrick, returned to the Circuit de la Sarthe in 1980. The trio guided chassis 23 into the lead come the halfway stage until heavy rain and a misfire dashed their chances of outright victory. Running with five cylinders, they would classify 5th overall, securing class honors along the way. Aboard another 935, albeit still wearing Sachs colors, Barbour and Fitzpatrick triumphed in the 12 Hours of Sebring later that year.

Recorded with a 10 September 2019 production date, this example was sold to the storied White Collection via Porsche Motorsports North America of Carson, California and delivered new to Atlanta, Georgia. Subsequently acquired by the Miami-based consigning owner, remarkably this Porsche 935 still shows what is believed to be its delivery mileage only.

In addition to the heritage livery, this example features a black leatherette-upholstered stripped-out race interior and fan-style wheels, plus is accompanied by a host of accessories that cost the first owner $44,300, according to the purchase agreement. Alongside a copy of the original brochure and this car’s books, also included in the optional spare parts package is a spare set of BBS wheels, an additional Recaro race seat and six-point Schroth harness, a carbon fiber front splitter replacement kit, Brembo brakes, scale models of the new 935, and a matching Porsche Design titanium watch from a limited series of 500. An inventory list and photos on file detail the extensive range of accompanying parts and accessories, which originally cost in excess of $44,000.

Given the formidable performance of the reimagined Porsche 935, this virtually-as-new example would make for an astonishing track day car and is sure to draw attention at demonstration events, including future editions of the famed Rennsport Reunion. For those who might wish to preserve its incredibly low mileage, this Sachs livery edition would make for a statement addition to any discerning motorsport or marque collection.