Porsche introduced the 934 RSR Turbo in 1976 for competition in the Group 4 GT class. This model and its subsequent evolution, the 935 were arguably the most successful and significant of all sports racing and GT cars produced by any manufacturer during the mid to late 70s. It was these creations that propelled the ascendency of Porsche, already at an all-time best, to world dominance on the race track.
This example, one of 31 built, was bought directly from the factory by Belgique, Jean ‘Beurlys’ Blaton in 1976. In Jürgen Barth and Bernd Dobronz’s excellent book on the subject, Porsche 934/935,0153 is listed as being the seventeenth car built. Blaton took delivery of the car just prior to the 24 Heures du Mans, resplendent in the Belgian racing colour of yellow.
Nick Faure, who raced at La Sarthe with Blaton regaled Fiskens with the story of how the shell came fresh from the factory painted in yellow, but following some last minute sponsorship deals with Citizen Watches Australia and Harley Davidson was painted by him in the paddock using aerosol cans of white, red and blue paint. Once repainted(!), the 934 went on to compete at Le Mans that year, with Jean Blaton and Nick Faure being accompanied by John Goss. Despite a promising start, the crew unfortunately did not finish the race due to issues with a turbocharger.
In 1977, 0153 was subsequently sold to well-known Porsche tuner Jean-Pierre Gaban who returned the car to Le Mans that year with drivers; Guillermo Ortega, Nicolas Koob and Willy Braillard. Sensing the potential of the 934, Gaban retained the services of Braillard and in May of 1978 he won the Grand Prix of Zolder against John Lagondy and Claude Bourgoignie, both competing in the later 935 Porsches. The car returned to Le Mans for the round the clock event this time driven by Braillard, Jean-Louis & Jacky Ravenel and Phillipe Dagoreau, but sadly retired from the race with engine issues.
During Gaban’s tenure, Braillard continued to campaign the Porsche, with highlights including two further second places at Zolder in 1977 and a win at the Spa 600 Kilometres in June 1978. In 1982, 0153 was acquired by the Vermeulen brothers who, in turn, sold it to Walter Pauwels some ten years later. In 2012, 0153’s penultimate owner restored the 934 to its original period yellow livery.
Following a recent inspection, the car was noted as having its original gearbox fitted, evidenced by the letters ‘ACO 76’ stamped on its gearbox casing during scrutineering by the Le Mans organisers. This rare ‘matching numbers’ 934 RSR with wonderful period racing history is very useable and could be enjoyed at either of the Patrick Peter organised CER or Le Mans Classic events.
