Porsche 935/78 'Moby Dick' 1978

The Porsche 935/78 Turbo, also known as 'Moby Dick', represents the culmination of an effort that began in 1974 when the factory entered two turbocharged 911 Coupés in the World Championship of Makes. This action was not so successful but allowed Porsche to accumulate valuable experience on turbocharged 911 and prepare for the next revised Championship stated to begin in 1975 but postponed until 1976. The new series centered around Group 5 machines, also called Silhouette racers based on production automobiles, in this case the Porsche Turbo Carrera.

The resulting Porsche 935 won the 1976 Makes Championship carrying Martini sponsorship. For the following year, Porsche prepared the 935/77 with false rear roof that swooped downward to blend in the rear spoiler. The production body cell was also fitted with extended fenders and an aerodynamic front end. With a unique intercooler setting and twin turbochargers the engine reached an output of almost 700 hp. Porsche won the 1977 Makes Championship and decide to sell Porsche 935 to private teams. Customer's Porsche 935 were extensively raced in European and U.S. events resulting in another Makes Championship. Nearly every customer prepared its own modified 935 resulting in large variation of bodywork and engine tuning.

During 1978, Porsche factory developed the 935/78 also known as 'Moby Dick'. There were two factory 935/78, respectively chassis 935006 and 935007 that was entered at Le Mans 24 Hours; it qualified in third place behind Group 6 Porsche 936 and Group 6 Renault Alpine A443. The Porsche 935/78 finished in 8th position after mechanical problems.

The long, ground-hugging body of the car had distinctive features such as a slanted front nose and an extended tail section. The car was fitted with aluminium tubular space frame and serveral components were made of titanium for strenght and lightness. The engine was a twin turbo with 3.245 cc and produced next to 800 hp.

Porsche regular customer Joest Racing ordered two 935/78 in 1980. Chassis numbers wer respectively JR93501 and JR93502. The JR93501 was later sold to Momo Racing and entered in U.S. events with red colors and sponsorship of Penthouse magazine. The same car was then returned to Germany and is the car exhibited in white finish at the Retromobile 2011. The rear spoiler on the exposed Porsche is reinforced with aluminium arms connected to the roll bar; this improvement was included after deadly crash of Rolf Stommelen.

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