27.02.2025366 kph in Le Mans: Porsche's legendary "Moby Dick"

The Porsche 935/78 "Moby Dick" is an excellent example of the fact that racing cars do not necessarily have to achieve great success to get iconic status. Its short track record includes a single race victory in the 1978 Sports Car World Championship. And yet the "Moby Dick" with its distinctive shape, equally distinctive nickname and Martini colors is one of the most famous cars from Porsche's extensive and rich Le Mans history.

The "Moby Dick" was part of the series of 935 models that Porsche successfully entered in a wide variety of versions from 1976 to the early 1980s. This version was also developed under the leadership of racing engineer Norbert Singer, who was involved in 16 of Porsche's 19 Le Mans triumphs and is inextricably linked to the brand.

The car was a completely new design with a focus on aerodynamics. Singer and his team pulled out all the stops in the regulations to adapt the 935/78 to the unique challenges of the Circuit de la Sarthe as best as possible. The body shape, designed for low air resistance, combined with the white color earned the car its nickname "Moby Dick", in reference to the white sperm whale from Herman Melville's novel of the same name.

On the long Hunaudières straight at Le Mans, which at that time was not interrupted by chicanes, the car's concept worked perfectly. With the low air resistance, the enormous 845 hp from the 3.2-liter six-cylinder boxer engine with two turbochargers and a weight of just over a ton, "Moby Dick" reached a top speed of an impressive 366 kph.

However, Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti could not finish higher than eighth at the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans after misfires and an oil leak occurred. The victory went to Renault. Behind them, Porsche made it onto the podium with two 936 models. It was also enough to win the manufacturers' world championship at the end of the season. The fact that the "Moby Dick" only contributed to this to a limited extent does not detract from its reputation.

The ck-modelcars label WERK83 has released the popular Porsche as a collector's item. In scale 1:18, the "Moby Dick" impresses with its usual high level of detail. The lovingly reproduced cockpit and the opening doors show another special feature of the car, which was right-hand drive. The front wheels of the model are also steerable.

Porsche 935/78 Moby Dick #43 8th 24h LeMans 1978 Schurti, Stommelen 1:18, RRP €79.95, item-no.: W18040001

Products

Porsche 935/78 Moby Dick #43 8th 24h LeMans 1978 Martini Racing 1:18 WERK83

71,96 €