What you're looking at here is one of the only Porsche-factory supported single-seat race cars that you could actually buy. Well, "you" meaning some hypothetical rich you. It's also the only Porsche factory-tuned and supported VW Type 2 truck and Formula Vee car around, and it's incredible.
Here's the deal on this lovely vintage pair, available on the Jan Luehn fancy car-selling site. The race car is a Formula Vee car, which was (and is) an incredible racing series based on pre 1963 VW Beetle mechanicals. That means a 40 HP motor. That sounds laughable today, but with cars weighing only a bit over 1,000 lbs the performance actually isn't bad, with cars reaching up to 120 MPH.
The series was started back in the late 50s/early 60s, officially getting recognized in 1963. The whole point was to offer a cheap open-wheel racing option to young drivers, and it was a huge success, with many of Europe's biggest drivers getting their start there, and it went on to be big in the US as well, and continues to this day.
This particular Formula Vee car was actually run by Porsche, and has had many now famous drivers, including the great Hans Hermann. Here's what the Jan Leuhn site says:
Dr. Ferry Porsche and his race director Huschke von Hanstein were convinced of the impact of these cars to start the careers of young racing drivers in Europe. So in 1964 Porsche contacted Beach in order to buy one and afterwards some more of these kit car single seaters. Porsche wanted to support the series in Europe and they not only ordered the Beach cars but also 5 Formcar Formula V.
A promotional tour was set up and of material importance was the support of Volkswagen CEO Dr. K. Hahn. The first presentation of these “Volkswagens” took place at the Eberbach Hill Climb competition in May 1965. These cars engendered quite some mockery, but rapidly the mockery changed into respect and the series became more and more important. Most well known racing drivers of the 60-70 and eighties started their career in these single seaters. Just to name a few: Emmerson Fittipaldi, Gijs van Lennep, Ben Pon, Gerhard Mitter, Hans Hermann etc.
These little formula cars had 1200 cc VW Bug engine’s with about 40 bhp they reached a top speed of 160 km/h. This elfenbein single seater accompanying the VW pick up is in fact one of the two remaining Formcar Formula V. These cars are genuine Porsche cars as they were build by Porsche in Werk 1, and their racing was supported by the factory.
This Formcar has been restored to its original condition as raced by Hans Hermann, Gerhard Mitter and Ben Pon. The body has been remade but most of the original panels do come with the car. Everything has been checked over after its last race at the Nürburgring 2011. A suspension set up has been performed, as well as a checking of the brakes. The engine has been fine tuned etc.
As we found out the dashboard instruments did not work properly we decided to have them overhauled. The car also comes with a FIA HTP (historic Technical pass) allowing it to run in FIA sanctioned races. All this means that this little genuine Porsche single seater is ready to be enjoyed by the connoisseur.
That's a pretty amazing old racecar, but just to make sure swoonings and plotzings really happen, check out the details on that incredible VW Type 2 single-cab pick-up that's used as the transporter:
In order to transport the Formula V cars it was decided to buy 6 VW Bulli pick-up trucks. These pick-ups were adapted so they would easily carry the Formula V on its flat bed loading space.
As all the original Porsche Renndienst pickup trucks have vanished (either destroyed or rusted away) decision was taken to try and find a period (month) correct 261 pick-up. This VW was found albeit in original Dove Blue colour (L 31). It was in a rather sorry state so a complete restoration of the pick-up was started.
The pick-up is completely built up to period correct specifications. All the details that were on the pick-ups at the time have been sourced, found, overhauled and installed. For example it took quite some time to find all the additional dashboard instruments, as well as the Westfalia towing hook. Also, and just to point out that no effort was speared, the bronze label tag that was on the Westfalia towing hooks has been sourced and correctly placed.There are tons and tons of details that have to be seen to be believed. An original Eberspächer heater was sourced and the instruction booklet is with the VW. The engine is a 914 with a 2.4 displacement, mounted with 46 IDA Weber carburettors. The engine was built by renowned Porsche restorer Maxted-Page & Prill in the UK. When the engine was run in at the engine stand it was established that it had a little over 200 bhp.
So, while it's not the exact original one, it's the same model year (down to the month) and, perhaps more importantly, it's a 200HP vintage VW pickup truck. They've upgraded the brakes, suspension, and transmission to deal with, what, five times more than the original power, and this also may be one of the few examples where the transporter truck is faster than its race car cargo.
While I wish I was born with the birth defect that would have given me enough kidneys to sell to own this incredible set of motoring history, I don't think that's going to happen. Still, it makes me happy just knowing these symbiotes of automotive beauty are out there at all.
(Thanks, TheChicaneBlog!)