718 RSK RS60 RS61

[Rickie]

The "modified" RSK is no doubt a 550, as there is nothing at all about that car that has to do with the RSK body, 57,58, or 59... Note particularly that the is an instrument binnacle, which never appeared on the RSK's and did reappear on the RS60's and RS 61's...


The Kustom Kutouts on the front wheel well echoed the Aston Martin DB 3s race cars

[Type550]

You are right Justin, it does look like a 550RS rear, but the body change that gets me is the front wheel well as it opens up near the driver's door...

Joe says he bought it from Mike Marshall in Miami. He remembers it as a special built car with engine behind the transaxle. The front looks like RSK but it's not one. It is listed in Willem's Vol I as being driven by Duncan Forlong.

Thanks for the photos and your knowledge of the 'days' Bruce!

[JTR70]

Does anyone know the chassis number of the modified RSK ?

Andrew, Look at the softer rounded shape of the door and its gap outline; also the clamshell, see the round latching mechanism bung? Is this not a 550 or 550A with an RSK nose??? On second thought I'm thinking 550 as there is no signs of the louvers for the later version trap-doors. See you "learned" me.

Great old shots Bruce, Thanks!
Justin

[Ryles]

I thought this car had some funky flares on it at some point. Maybe that was 18. Such great images you guys post. Best way to spend a lunch break.

R~

[bbspdstr]

"Back in the day" we never thought too much about chassis numbers. I do believe that Roger's 718 was originally Bob Holbert's car as shown above. Bob would get the latest and in those days, young Penske would buy the "hand-me-downs" right on through an RS61. Bob was Roger's mentor, as was Bruce Jennings. I was just a young man with a Speedster that loved Porsches and through that, knew them all, eventually working for Roger on weekends....

I had an unexpected visit from Bob's son Larry Holbert 2 weeks ago. Among other tidbits I did not know, the numbering of the Holbert cars was family birthdays...a very coincidental number of similar birthdays.

I revealed to Larry that I still have a personal letter on Holbert's Porsche dealership's letterhead from his late brother Al, telling me in early 1969 that I should jump on "the new Speedster" and not buy a new 911S. I was in Texas at the time, in OTS. The "new Speedster" turned out to be called a 914. I got a used '69 911S soon after my early exit from the military when it was discovered I could not fly upside-down at high G's....but I digress.

Weldon Scrogham has almost all of the memorabilia of both Bob and Al Holbert's racing days. Here are three photos of possible interest:


Edited to note that Dan Gurney was shaking Bob Holbert's hand first and young Roger Penske was waiting his turn. Bob had his ever-present cee-gar



Also by edit, let me say that the left-over special jack and folding top (an ugly formality) for that car were sold to a European after Bob's death in 2008. I forget who knew who, but I was at least tangentially involved and away they went for fairly serious money...and I remember thinking at the time "the only person who would want to pay that much must have one of those Porsches and theirs is missing...how cool is that!?"

-Bruce

[Type550]

Does anyone know the chassis number of the modified RSK ?

[Type550]

The RSK raced by Roger Penske is 718-019 - I believe Jerry Seinfeld currently owns it. Here is a video of Jerry and Kevin Hart in it - http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/kevin-hart-you-look-amazing-in-the-wind

[Rickie]

When did the Dunlop Green Spots come along? They became the hot set-up, and the CR-65's they make today are the follow on from them. Of course they are dramatically different in tread width and patch size, as well as compound formulations, of which there are several. But I raced on them for a long time and they were very compatible with the RSK's idiosyncratic handling qualities.

[Carrera_The_Kid]

[Stormin]

Really did like those tires, the ultimate in 1960

[356]

[356]

[JTR70]

Nice find Andrew!

[Type550]

Recently I bought a heap of race negatives which included Behra in his RSK at the start of the 1958 Sebring race. As I have no interest in RSKs, I am happy to sell them or trade them for 550 slides - here are a few...

[356]