Beginning with the Type 550 of 1953, Porsche’s competition spyders are nothing short of legendary—an iconic form of exceptionally sophisticated engineering with the racing pedigree and accolades to set the racing world on fire in the mid-20th century. From the 550 that introduced the Type 547 dual-overhead-cam flat-four engine (renamed the Carrera motor after dominating the Under 1,500-cc Class at the 1953 Carrera Panamericana road race) through the Type 718 RSK, Porsche showed the mettle of German engineering in the face of large-displacement Italian competitors.
In January 1960 Porsche introduced the final evolution of its Carrera-based racing spyder, the RS 60. Despite being officially classified as a Type 718, the RS 60 improved upon its direct predecessor with a wider cockpit, independent wishbone rear suspension, uprated brakes, and 15-inch wheels. The car featured a wheelbase four inches longer than the 718 RSK which, combined with smaller wheels and an advanced suspension, resulted in more predictable and preferable handling dynamics. Power for the RS 60 continued to come from a variety of four-cam engines. Karosserie Wendler developed its prior spyder coachwork with cues like a framed windscreen and luggage platform (mandated by the FIA) and subtle modifications to the nose, doors, and head fairing.
Completed on 8 June 1960 and sold new to the Milwaukee-based VW-Porsche dealer Bob Wuesthoff, 718-060 is among the best preserved and most notable surviving RS 60 from the six cars delivered to American privateers in period. It has enjoyed an illustrious period competition history, well-documented provenance, prior ownership by several notable marque collectors, an outstanding exhibition history, and uncommon originality.
Per documentation acquired from Jürgen Barth (on file), 718-060 was originally finished in silver and equipped with Type 547/3 four-cam competition engine number P 90 254. Upon its arrival to Milwaukee, Wuesthoff painted a distinctive metallic blue accent on the nose and lower body, immediately distinguishing it from other silver “giant-killing” spyders.
From 1960 through 1964, Wuesthoff campaigned the RS 60 in at least 20 races across the United States, amassing an impressive track record of approximately a dozen class wins, nine more podium finishes, and six additional top-five results. Remarkably, after four seasons of active competition, the car emerged in outstanding condition—thanks in large part to meticulous care from Glen Carroll, a respected Porsche specialist based in the Chicagoland area, and to Wuesthoff’s measured, instinctive driving style that kept the car out of serious trouble. In 1963, Carroll updated the car with Porsche’s distinctive and highly coveted annular-type disc brake; this prized RS 60 continues to use this system to the present.
At the end of the 1964 season, Wuesthoff sold 718-060 to Bruce “King Carrera” Jennings, one of the most storied privateers in Porsche’s racing history. From there, the spyder passed through the hands of several devoted collectors, including a 30-year tenure with pioneering enthusiast Dr. William Jackson, whose stewardship helped preserve the car’s integrity and originality.
In 1999, the RS 60 entered the collection of Peter Le Saffre and was entrusted to the Pebble Beach-winning crew at Paul Russell & Company for a well-researched sympathetic restoration, which included a complete engine rebuild by noted four-cam expert Bill Doyle (Jackson Hole, Wyoming). It was then acquired by William E. “Chip” Connor II, joining one of the world’s most respected collections.
The year 2012 saw this prized RS 60 enter the stable of noted California-based collector Larry Bowman, where it remained for three years before passing to Claudio Scalise—who enjoyed it with great fervor in back-to-back editions of the famous Colorado Grand road rally. As with Connor before him, Scalise entrusted the mechanical upkeep of 718-060 exclusively to a reputable four-cam specialist; in this case, Speedsport’s Jeff Adams Tuning of Danbury, Connecticut.
With Connor and subsequent owners, 718-060 has been carefully maintained and selectively shown at prestigious venues, including The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and Porsche Race Car Classics. More recently, it returned to the track for high-profile historic events such as Rennsport Reunion IV, the Monterey Historic races, Colorado Grand, and also the Le Mans Classic—demonstrating not only its authenticity, but also its mechanical health.
Today, 718-060 is offered as one of the finest and most authentic Porsche Spyders of its era. Retaining its original Wendler-built aluminum bodywork numbers-matching competition engine, and benefiting from a continuous chain of respected ownership, this RS 60 presents a rare opportunity to acquire a truly significant piece of Porsche’s competition legacy.
