One of the finest Porsche collections in the world.
At the 2012 Amelia Island Auction, one of, if not the, most prized collection of road and racing Porsches was sold through Gooding & Company. The Drendel Family Porsche collection was assembled over the years by the late Matthew Drendel, founder and CEO of Heritage Motorwerks LLC. Drendel had a strong passion for Porsche models and his impressive turbocharged collection began with a road-going 930.
On Friday, March 9th, Gooding & Company auctioned off the 17-car collection at the Amelia Island Auction for a total of more than $17 million, with the 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder selling for a world-record $4.4 million, making it the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction.
“The result of well-developed connoisseurship and deep passion, Matthew Drendel built what has become the world’s most significant private collection of turbocharged Porsches,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “It’s a very rare occurrence when a refined, single-marque collection of high-quality road and race cars is offered to the public. We feel privileged to have been selected to present the Drendel Family Collection in Amelia Island.”
The Drendel Family Porsche Collection that was auctioned by Gooding & Company at the 2012 Amelia Island Auction included:
1984 Porsche 962
Chassis 962-103
According to Gooding & Company specialists, this car is the finest example of the Porsche 962 and one of the most successful racing cars of its generation. With only two owners from new, this back-to-back 24 Hours of Daytona winner will be one of the Drendel Family Collection’s most significant offerings at the auction with its immediately recognizable Löwenbräu livery, list of legendary drivers, unrivalled racing record and superb documentation.
1974 Porsche RSR Turbo Carrera 2.14
Chassis 911 460 9016 (R9)
The Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14 represents a turning point in the history of competition Porsches when it introduced the use of turbocharged engines in production-based race cars. Used by the factory for development, this hand-built experimental 911 was campaigned as a Martini & Rossi Porsche Works entry in the 1974 season at Nürburgring, Imola and Zeltweg. Few racing cars of this caliber have remained so correct and untouched, making this car an extremely important piece of Porsche history.
1976 Porsche 935/76
Chassis 930 570 0001 (R14)
The first 935 built, this car served as the prototype and development mule for one of the most successful series of Porsche racing cars. This historically-significant example ran as a factory team car under the recognizable Martini & Rossi livery and its podium finishes at Watkins Glen and Dijon helped Porsche capture the Group 5 World Championship in 1976. In addition to its impressive provenance and great originality, this factory race car has the remarkable distinction of being the first Porsche with a 930 serial number prefix.
1985 Porsche 962
Chassis 962-HR1
During its career, this Porsche achieved 11 overall wins and 19 podium finishes, as well as 2 IMSA GTP Drivers Championships and an IMSA GTP Manufacturers Championship. Along with its Holbert Racing sister car, 962-103, this 962 is one of the most significant 962s in history. Fresh from restoration, 962-HR1 was displayed at RennSport Reunion IV in 2011.
1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution
Chassis 993-GT1-004
This rare factory team car – one of just four built – has competed at top events (Le Mans, Nürburgring and Laguna Seca) in the highest levels of international racing with known drivers behind its wheel. Later campaigned by Rohr Racing at Daytona and Harry Bytzek in the Canada GT Challenge Cup, GT1-004 has one of the most impressive racing records of any factory GT1.
1975 Porsche 934
Chassis 930 670 0155
The racing variant of the road-going 930, the 934 expanded on the success of the RSR, winning the European GT Championship as well as the TransAm Championship in North America. The second 934 constructed, this car was actively campaigned through the early 1980s, culminating in a first in class at the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans. In regards to this car, noted Porsche authority Bruce Anderson was quoted as saying “it is the most successful 934 to race in international competition.”
The remaining cars of the Drendel Family Collection, 9 offered without reserve, are listed below:
1980 Porsche 924 Carrera GT Le Mans
Chassis 924-003
One of three Works entries at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans; placed 13th Overall with Bell and Holbert
1980 Porsche Indy Car
Chassis 0031
Intended as Porsche’s return to open-wheel racing, the company’s ground-breaking program was cancelled a month before the Indianapolis 500 s a result of last-minute USAC rule changes
1987 McLaren-Porsche MP4/3 Formula One
Chassis MP4/3/1
The first MP4/3 built and the only example in private hands
1981 Porsche 924 GTP “Le Mans”
Chassis 924-005
Factory prototype and development car, built to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
1995 Porsche 911 GT2 Evolution
Chassis WP0ZZZ99ZTS393062
The Champion Porsche, 1996 12 Hours of Sebring class winner
1992 Porsche 968 Turbo RS
Chassis WPOZZZ96ZNS820065
Factory prototype with Le Mans and Sebring race history
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup
Chassis WP0ZZZ95ZGN154076
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S
Chassis WP0AA2957JN151272
1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone
Chassis WP0AA2961RS820772
1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet
Chassis WP0CB2949MN440106
Many of the cars in the Drendel Family Porsche collection set new world records for their winning bids including:
-The 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder (lot 57) at $4,400,000 – double world auction record for a Porsche & 917.
-The 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14 (lot 55) at $3,245,000 – a world auction record for a Porsche 911.
-The 1976 Porsche 935/76 (lot 47) at $2,530,000 – a world auction record for a Porsche 935.
-The 1984 Porsche 962 (lot 53) at $1,925,000 – a world auction record for a Porsche 962.
-The 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution (lot 49) at $1,265,000 – a world auction record for a Porsche 911 GT1.
-The 1976 Porsche 934 (lot 51) at $891,000 – a world auction record for a Porsche 934.
-The 1980 Porsche 924 GTP (lot 48) at $385,000 – a world auction record for a Porsche 924.
-The 1992 Porsche 968 Turbo RS (lot 60) at $346,500 – a world auction record for a Porsche 968.
-The 1981 Porsche 944 GTP (lot 58) at $308,000 a world auction record for a Porsche 944.
[All of the cars listed and official sale prices come courtesy of Gooding & Company]
Drendel Family Porsche Collection Gallery
[Photography by Pawel Litwinski and copyright of Gooding & Company]
What was your favorite model in the Drendel Family Porsche Collection? Leave a comment and let us know!
