Porsche 908/01 K Coupé (1968 – 1969)

Porsche 908K Coupé (1968)

The 908K “Short Tail” Coupe

Premiere: May 19, 1968, Nürburgring 1000 km / The Engine: Flat-eight air-cooled engine, mounted midship, twin overhead camshafts, fuel-injected, 2997 cc, 350 hp at 8400 rpm

The first 908 was in fact the 908K or 908/01 Coupé as it was known. It was basically a 907 with the engine required for Group 6 and asymmetric air inlets on the front. The second car was 908 LH or 908/01 Long Tail that differed from the 908K / 908/01 as it had a longer body with improved aerodynamics for fast tracks.

The Porsche 908/01 K Coupé was basically a 907 K with the new 3-litre flat-8. “K” in the designation stands for Kurz which is “short” in German, meaning the car had short-tail body compared to the 908 LH (“langheck”, long-tail). Although 907 and 908 were similar, there was a visual difference – the 907 had symmetrical front openings and the 908/01 K had asymmetrical.

While the 908/01 LH had debuted on April 7, 1968 at the Le Mans test day, the 908/01 K debuted six weeks later on May 19 at the Nürburgring 1000 km race and won it outright. The victorious drivers were Jo Siffert and Vic Elford.

A week later, on May 26, at Spa 1000 km, the 908/01 K Coupé #5 of Hans Herrmann/Rolf Stommelen took third place. At July 21 Hokenheimring event Hans Herrmann’s 908/01 K #1 finished second after David Piper’s Ferrari 412P.

The next race for the 908/01 K was the 500 km race held on the Zeltweg airfield in Austria. It became a double victory. On September 15, 1968, another race was held on the Hockenheimring and this time Hans Herrmann’s 908/01 K was first in front of David Piper’s Ferrari 412P.

1968 at Nürburgring 1000 km

Debuted in 1968 at Nürburgring 1000 km race and won it outright.

A Visual History & Details