The 1969 Porsche 908/02 Spyder, nicknamed the ‘Flunder’ (flat fish), is an ultra-lightweight (~1,320 lbs), open-cockpit, beautifully designed machine. Chassis 908.026 (pictured here) was initially built as a 908LH or Langheck (longtail) and was designed to compete in the World’s Manufacturers Championship in 1969. The 908LH was also developed and designed to achieve exceptionally high speeds at Daytona, Monza, Spa, and Le Mans by incorporating low aerodynamic drag from its effective long-tailed design. In 1969, as a 908LH, this specific car competed in the following races, with the following results: 1969 Daytona 24 Hours (no. 51) - DNF, 1969 Monza 1000km (no. 4) - 1st, 1969 Spa 1000km (no. 10) - 3rd. Having been raced from 1969 to 1976, the 908 underwent three design phases, the first phase being the 908LH or 908/01. After the 1969 season came to an end, Chassis 908.026 was converted to a 908/02 Spyder by the factory. The reason behind the conversion was to focus on weight savings. Porsche accomplished this by removing the roof, the long tails, and making other alterations. By doing this, Porsche shaved about 220 lbs from the curb weight. In 1971, chassis 908.026 raced as a 908/02 in the following races with the following results: 1971 Coupe de Pretemps (no. 54) - 2nd, 1971 Spa 1000km (no. 3) - 5th, 1971 GP Paris (no. 2) - 2nd, 1971 Nurburgring 1000km (no. 8) - 7th, 1971 24 Hours Le Mans (no. 28) - DNF. The 908 ultimately took advantage of the rule changes to FIA’s Group 6 prototype sports cars and carried along with it the largest engine permitted at the time. The 908 made an 80 hp jump from the predecessor 907 (270 hp to 350 hp) and is powered by an air-cooled 3.0L flat-8 cylinder engine. About 31 or so 908/01 chassis were constructed, and later on, around 24 908/02 chassis were constructed in two different variants: the Spyder and the Flunder Spyder. As we said, some of the original cars were converted into Spyders, but for cars born as 908LH coupes, they retained their original chassis number. For example, first-gen cars had chassis 908-xxx, and second-gen cars carried a 908/02-xxx number.
How many made? The most sourced numbers for each model are about 31 or so total 908/01 chassis built. Followed by around 24 908/02 chassis constructed later on. First-gen 908LH cars had chassis # 908-xxx, and second-gen 908/02 cars carried a 908/02-xxx #.
Engine: This car is equipped with an air-cooled 3.0L flat-8 cylinder engine that produces about 350 horsepower.•Debut: The first debut of the 908 was at the 1968 Le Mans test day in April. In 1968, the 908LH was called simply 908 and from 1969, when the 908/02 cars came, the first generation became known as 908/01 or 908LH.
Top speed: The original Porsche 908 long tail cars had a top speed of around 200mph but for the 908/02 Spyders the top speed of the cars was reduced to around 174mph.
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @am_media_ny
Research: @rarecarsonly