Porsche 718 Formel 2

The 718 Formula 2 is the first open-wheel single-seater designed, built, and raced by Porsche. Up against strong opposition from Cooper, Ferrari and Lotus, Porsche promptly wins the unofficial Formula 2 World Championship in 1960 – the “Coupe des Constructeurs”. As a design platform for the single-seater Porsche opts for the proven 718/2 RSK Spyder chassis with independent suspension and torsion bar springs at the front as well as coil springs at the rear and dual-circuit drum brakes. The aluminium body is formed by hand over a wooden body buck. The 718/2 F2 is powered by the four-cam Carrera motor that has notched up countless race victories, and the power transmission is by an in-house-developed synchronised manual six-speed gearbox. Because Formula 2 is contested alongside Formula 1 over longer distances, from 1961 the wheelbase of the 718/2 is extended by ten centimetres to make room for larger fuel tanks. Driving this chassis, Joakim Bonnier clinches second at the Brussels Grand Prix in 1962, and third place two weeks later at Snetterton.