1962 Porsche Type 804 Formula 1 Car

Price		--	Production		--
Engine		1.5 liter opposed-8	Weight		996 lbs
Aspiration		natural	Torque		--
HP		180 @ 9200 rpm	HP/Weight		5.5 lbs per hp
HP/Liter		120 hp per liter	1/4 mile		--
0-62 mph		--	Top Speed		168 mph

(from Porsche Press Release)  When the engine capacity for Formula 1 cars was reduced to 1.5-litres in 1961, this change of regulations helped to motivate Porsche to enter the Grand Prix arena since these new rules scarcely differed from those of the previous Formula 2 class.

Porsche nearly achieved its first Formula 1 victory in 1961 with its modified Type 787 F2 chassis, with Dan Gurney finishing second at Reims in France, and at the Grand Prix of Italy and the USA. However, in 1962, Porsche developed an eight-cylinder Grand Prix racer intent on claiming that first outright win.

In concept and chassis, the Type 804 was similar to contemporary mid-engined racers. It also used an interesting disc brake design and a horizontal cooling fan on top of its air-cooled eight-cylinder engine.

Everything came together in July 1962. Following a promising Monaco, the American Gurney won the Grand Prix of France at Rouen with a lap lead over South African Tony Maggs in a Cooper. A week later, Gurney beat Jim Clark’s Lotus to win again, this time in front of 300,000 enthusiastic spectators, at the the Solutide track in Stuttgart.

Towards the end of 1962, Porsche ceased its Formula 1 programme. Such technology, with only minimal carryover to production cars, required heavy financial outlays. Since motor racing was always the basis for new developments and improvements to production sports cars at Porsche, the company concentrated instead on GT cars and long-distance events once again.

Technical Specification

Engine: Eight cylinders, horizontally-opposed pistons, normally aspirated, air-cooled, two-valve, four shaft-driven overhead camshafts
Output: 180bhp at 9200rpm
Displacement: 1494cc
Fuel system: Four dual-downdraught carburettors, 150 litre fuel tank
Driveline: Six speed gearbox, limited-slip differential
Chassis: Steel-tube space frame, independent suspension, torsion bars, Porsche disc brakes, 5.00 x 15 R front tyres, 6.50 x 15 R rear tyres
Dimensions and weight: Wheelbase 2300mm, length 3600mm, weight 452kg
Performance: Top speed 168 mph (270 km/h)
Chassis number: 804 - 04