Niki Lauda’s ‘significant’ Porsche 910 sports car is up for sale

The image of F1 legend Niki Lauda is indelibly linked with several instantly recognizable grand prix cars: iconic red crash helmet on, laser-focused eyes ahead in the cockpit of the Ferrari 312T, the McLaren MP4/2 and even the Brabham BT46B fan car.

Before his grand prix glory days though, Lauda cut his early competitive teeth in a whole range of diverse racing machinery, from an Opel Rekord to a BMW 1602 – but the standout car was a truly significant one in Porsche’s history.

The 910 prototype piloted by Lauda at the 1969 Österreichring 1000km in a one-off appearance represented “a stepping stone” towards its all-conquering 917 and 956/962s, and now that very example the three-time world champion drove (001, made in 1966) is going up for sale – for $2.2m (£1.7m).

Nick Soprano of Motor Classic & Competition Corp, who is selling the car, in the US explains its significance.

“The car is so lightweight, nimble – entering over 250 races, it really was a working race car,” he says. “It was a key part of the brand’s journey to producing its legendary Le Mans winning machines.”

910-001 features F1-style 13in wheels of the period, allowing for a more low-slung, rounded body, while its fuel-injected, 220bhp flat six engine made it capable of hitting around 170mph – aided further by the lightweight fiberglass bodywork ( bonded to the chassis), beryllium brake discs and titanium uprights.