Porsche 804 classic cars for sale

Background and Development of the Porsche 804

The Porsche 804 emerged in 1962 as the marque’s ambitious entry into the Formula One World Championship. Built during a period of revived European motorsport competition, the 804 was designed to meet the then-new 1.5-litre Formula rules. The car debuted during a time when manufacturers poured resources into capturing racing prestige across different series. Porsche’s 804 achieved its most notable success at the French Grand Prix in 1962, where American driver Dan Gurney claimed Porsche’s only Formula One win as a constructor. After a brief campaign, Porsche withdrew from Formula One at the end of 1962 to focus on sports car racing, marking the 804 as their only F1 single-seater to claim victory as a works team.

Model History and Series Evolution

The Porsche 804 was specifically engineered for the 1.5-litre F1 regulations introduced in 1961, succeeding Porsche’s F2 efforts with the 718 series. Unlike its predecessor, the 804 was designed from scratch as a Formula One single-seater, utilising a completely new chassis and engine concept. Following its short-lived racing service in 1962, the project ceased as Porsche redirected its attention back to GT and sports car competitions, with no direct successor in single-seater motorsport.

Highlights and Production Details of the Porsche 804

Key characteristics of the 804 include its use of an air-cooled, flat-eight ‘boxer’ engine with a 1,494 cm³ capacity, producing approximately 180 hp at 9,200 rpm. The chassis integrated lightweight aluminium construction, and the car underwent focused aerodynamic and safety refinements during the season, such as revised fuel tank positions and improved driver protection. The 804’s main highlight remains its status as Porsche’s only factory-built Formula One winner.

Only a handful of Porsche 804 units were produced, emphasising its scarcity and desirability among collectors and race historians.

Technical Data

Special Editions and Collectibles

All Porsche 804s are effectively “special editions” given their factory racing provenance, each having been built for official works teams. No standard road or customer models were produced, and any surviving chassis today carry direct links to Porsche’s 1962 F1 programme.

Engine, Transmission, and Handling

The Porsche 804’s air-cooled, 1,494 cm³ flat-eight engine represented a technical departure from previous Porsche designs, delivering a high-revving, 180 hp output mated to a bespoke racing transmission. The spaceframe chassis and carefully tuned suspension provided competitive dynamic behaviour suited to 1960s Grand Prix circuits. The engineering focus was on weight reduction, power-to-weight optimisation, and reliability amidst fierce competition, resulting in a car capable of securing victory at the world championship level. The most historically significant example is the chassis that claimed the 1962 French Grand Prix win with Dan Gurney at the wheel, sometimes referenced by its chassis number in collector circles.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

Porsche was compelled to widen the 804’s bodywork to accommodate the unusual flat-eight engine. Aerodynamic needs dictated the front and top-mounted air intakes, while the cockpit underwent safety and comfort upgrades during its competitive season—fuel tanks, for example, were shifted externally for improved driver safety. Aside from technical refinements, the car sported a functional, minimalist design entirely dictated by competitive racing demands, without aesthetic excess or superfluous features.

Other Noteworthy Details

During its campaign, the 804 was a testament to Porsche’s engineering adaptability, responding rapidly to regulatory shifts and competition demands. Its brief presence in Formula One left a technical and historical legacy within Porsche’s broader motorsports programme.

Summary

The Porsche 804 occupies a unique niche as the company’s only Formula One race winner as a constructor, produced solely for the 1962 Grand Prix season. Its flat-eight engine, lightweight build, and competition-focused design make it a critical reference point for enthusiasts of mid-century motorsport engineering. Rarity and technical distinction ensure that surviving 804s remain among the most significant Porsche race cars of the era.