With this in mind, Neuhaus ordered a 917 Spyder for the defence of his title and went on to campaign chassis 026 in a spectacular red and yellow psychedelic livery to reflect backing from title sponsor, Shell.

Although he contested all seven Interserie races of 1971, Neuhaus had a disappointing campaign and failed to make the podium all year. His best results were a trio of fourth place finishes at Zolder, Keimola and Hockenheim as fellow Porsche driver Leo Kinnunen stormed to the title.

Neuhaus had more success in non-championship events and the odd round of the German Hillclimb Championship. He won the Nurburgring 300km on his debut outing with chassis 026 plus other events at Mainz-Finthen and Mendig. Four hillclimb victories were also netted (at Krahberg, Oberpfalz, Eller-berg and Sauerland).

Following an outing at the opening race of 1972 (where he placed fifth at the Nurburgring), Neuhaus made the switch the GT racing for the remainder of the season and picked up drives with Alpina (in a BMW 2800 CS) and Porsche Zentrum Nordheim (in a 911).

Chassis 026 was purchased by Cologne-based property developer and gentleman racing driver, Georg Loos. It joined a Group 7 McLaren M8F and Porsche 911 ST in Loos’ GELO Racing Team. For the ‘72 and ‘73 campaigns 026 was driven by Franz Pesch and Jurgen Barth.

In 1974 chassis 026 was sold to Olivier Chandon, heir to the Moet & Chandon fortune. Chandon retained it until his untimely death in 1983 while testing a Ralt at Moroso.

Afterwards the car spent the next 32 years in the collection of Michael Amalfitano who also retained it until he passed away. Since then, chassis 026 has been restored to its original 1970 configuration.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering (Gulf Racing)

14/06/1970 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (D. Hobbs / M. Hailwood) DNF (#22)

Converted to Group 7 Spyder trim

Sold to Jurgen Neuhaus (Team Shell-Heckersbruch), Wuppertal

12/04/1971 IND Nurburgring 300km (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa, 1st SRP2.0+ class (#1)
25/04/1971 GHC Krahberg Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#1)
02/05/1971 INT Imola (J. Neuhaus) DNF (#1)
06/06/1971 INT Zolder (J. Neuhaus) 4th oa, 3rd Gr.7 class (#1)
20/06/1971 IND Mainz-Finthen (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa, 1st SRP2.0+ class (#??)
04/07/1971 INT Hockenheim (J. Neuhaus) 5th oa (#1)
11/07/1971 INT Norisring (J. Neuhaus) DNF (#1)
18/07/1971 GHC Oberpfalz Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#155)
25/07/1971 GHC Eller-berg Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#188)
22/08/1971 INT Keimola (J. Neuhaus) 4th oa (#1)
29/08/1971 IND Mendig (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa, 1st SRP2.0+ class (#1)
12/09/1971 INT Imola (J. Neuhaus) WDN (#1)
03/10/1971 INT Hockenheim (J. Neuhaus) 4th oa (#??)
10/10/1971 GHC Sauerland Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#1)

03/04/1972 INT Nurburgring (J. Neuhaus) 5th oa, 5th INT class (#6)

Sold to Loos (GELO Racing Team), Cologne

06/08/1972 INT Norisring (F. Pesch) 4th oa (#20)
24/09/1972 INT Nurburgring (G. Loos) DNS (#??)
01/10/1972 INT Hockenheim (F. Pesch) 7th oa, 7th INT class (#30)

24/06/1973 INT Norisring (J. Barth) 5th oa, 4th Gr.7 class (#23)
15/07/1973 INT Hockenheim (J. Barth) 5th oa (#23)
19/08/1973 INT Misano (J. Barth) 6th oa (#23)
30/09/1973 INT Hockenheim (J. Barth) 7th oa (#23)

1974 sold to the Chandon collection, Haute Marne

1978 sold to Mike Amalfitano, Florida

Retained until 2010

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche – https://www.porsche.com