Schuppan 962CR: Racing Heritage on the Road

Unique ONES - In the realm of automotive achievements, exceptional accomplishments often receive a unique form of recognition. This is especially true in the world of motorsports, where the triumphs of racers and their machines are immortalized through special editions. One such instance is the Schuppan 962CR, one of six cars born out of a remarkable victory and a passion for excellence.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: KatanaLtd)

Australian racing legend Vern Schuppan, in tribute to his monumental win at the 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans, embarked on an ambitious project to create a street-legal version of the iconic Porsche 962 racer. This endeavor resulted in the creation of the Schuppan 962CR, a car that not only paid homage to his success but also stood as a testament to innovation and craftsmanship in the automotive industry.

The Schuppan 962CR was crafted to pay homage to Vern Schuppan's monumental win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans behind the wheel of a Porsche 956 and its successor 962. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Vern Schuppan’s journey to create the 962CR was fueled by his desire to commemorate his 1983 Le Mans victory, where he piloted a Porsche 956 to triumph. The Porsche 956, and its successor, the 962, became legendary in the world of endurance racing, dominating the tracks and securing over 130 victories.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: StuttCars)

These cars were revered for their engineering brilliance and competitive prowess, making them the perfect blueprint for Schuppan’s ambitious project. With backing from Japanese investors, Schuppan set out to transform the race-bred 962 into a machine that could be driven on public roads, while retaining the spirit and performance of its racing counterpart.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

The Schuppan 962CR was produced between 1992 and 1994, during which time Schuppan collaborated closely with Porsche to bring his vision to life. The car was built around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, a cutting-edge design at the time. Reynard Motorsport, a prominent name in motorsport engineering, was tasked with constructing the carbon monocoques, while Schuppan himself oversaw the bodywork.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: BingoWorldSports)

The design of the 962CR borrowed heavily from the original 962 race car, ensuring that the lineage of this iconic machine was preserved in every detail. Schuppan’s meticulous approach to the project was evident in every aspect of the car’s construction, from the lightweight chassis to the powerful engine that lay at its heart.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

The engine that powered the 962CR was a water-cooled, 3.3-liter Type-935 Flat-6, equipped with twin KKK turbochargers. This engine, capable of producing 600 horsepower, was the only Porsche-sourced component in the car. It was a slightly modified version of the engine used in the 962C that competed in the North American IMSA GT Championship.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

The power from this engine was transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, allowing the car to achieve a top speed of 230 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph  in just 3.5 seconds. The use of titanium fasteners throughout the car further highlighted the attention to detail and commitment to performance that defined the 962CR.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

The construction of the 962CR was a complex and costly endeavor. Schuppan initially planned to build 25 units, with the cars being assembled by Modena Cars in High Wycombe, England. However, due to financial difficulties, only six cars were ultimately produced. Each car was built to comply with either Japanese or German safety regulations, ensuring that they could be legally driven on the roads in those countries. Despite the challenges faced during production, the Schuppan 962CR was a marvel of engineering, combining the raw power and performance of a race car with the sophistication required for a road-legal vehicle.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

The price of the 962CR reflected its exclusivity and the level of craftsmanship involved in its creation. Originally priced at ¥195 million, equivalent to around $1.5 million USD in 1994, the car was one of the most expensive vehicles ever produced at the time. Unfortunately, the high cost of production and financial setbacks led to the downfall of Schuppan’s company.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

After shipping two cars to Japan, payment issues forced Schuppan to declare bankruptcy, marking the end of the 962CR’s production run. Despite this, the car has become a prized possession among collectors, with its value only increasing over the years. Today, the Schuppan 962CR is considered a rare and highly sought-after collector’s item, with prices starting at $1.9 million USD.

The legacy of the Schuppan 962CR is one of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. Although only six cars were built, and four remain today due to one being destroyed in a fire, the 962CR stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when a racing legend channels his experience and knowledge into creating something truly extraordinary.

One of the coolest 1990s supercars you probably never heard about, the 962CR was a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C prototype. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Vern Schuppan’s vision to create a street-legal version of the Porsche 962 not only honored his own achievements on the track but also left a lasting impact on the world of high-performance sports cars. The 962CR remains a testament to the ingenuity and determination of those who dare to dream big, and its place in automotive history is forever secured.

The story of the Schuppan 962CR is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, greatness can be achieved. The car serves as a bridge between the thrilling world of motorsport and the precision engineering required to create road-legal vehicles, offering a glimpse into what is possible when passion and expertise come together. Though the 962CR may have been Vern Schuppan’s only car creation, its legacy continues to inspire and captivate automotive enthusiasts around the world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KATANA LTD. | HYPEBEAST | AUTOEVOLUTION | STUTTCARS | BINGOSPORTSWORLD | SUPERCARS.NET | WIKIPEDIA ]

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