Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its iconic 911 this year, and it’s an anniversary the automaker isn’t taking too lightly.
A special anniversary model is planned (we’re thinking it’s the upcoming 991-based 911 Targa) and a number of celebratory events have also been scheduled, with the highlight set to take place at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show where 50 years ago the first Porsche 901 prototype was unveiled.
Now, Porsche’s British division has announced its own Project 50 event. Project 50 will see a 1965 911 race car hit a number of historic race tracks around Europe, with the first having taken place during the Brands Hatch Masters Festival in Kent, England, in late May.
The ‘short-wheelbase’ racer will continue to participate at selected 'Masters Series' events alongside appearances at larger historic festivals such as the Nürburgring Oldtimer and Silverstone Classic.
It will be driven by 2003 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion Barry Horne as well as Gordon Robertson, who heads the driver training at the Porsche Experience Center at the Silverstone circuit.
Note, the Project 50 event has another purpose. The 1965 911 racer is a natural high speed ambassador for the Porsche Classic parts service. From its hub at the company headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, Porsche Classic maintains a stock of over 35,000 genuine Porsche spares--for cars spanning the 356 to the Type 993 911--and Project 50 will showcase the reliability of Porsche Classic-maintained cars.
Project 50’s remaining events are as follows:
11-14 July - Goodwood Festival of Speed
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26-28 July - Silverstone Classic
9-11 August - Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix
20-22 September - Spa Francorchamps - Spa 6 hours
11-13 October - Jerez Masters festival
