Porsche 935/k3 “Apple”, Dick Barbour Racing 1980

Porsche 935/K3 “Apple”, Dick Barbour Racing

Apple Porsche 935/K3 – Bobby Rahal (USA), Allan Moffat (AUS) and Bob Garretson (USA)

Steve Jobs accepted an invitation from Dick Barbour Racing in 1980, the year in which the American team introduced the remarkable Porsche 935 Kremer, a car in which it specialised. Based in San Diego, California, the team was then looking for funding. The saving grace came from Cupertino, where 25-year-old Steve Jobs was looking to raise the profile of his start-up company, Apple. Before the company’s flotation on the stock exchange in December 1980, Jobs seized the opportunity of a dynamic and unusual programme for his firm: Barbour’s Porsche sported Apple’s emblematic colours.

The result was a sleek livery, featuring multicoloured horizontal stripes on a white background, reminiscent of the iconic Apple logo used by the brand between 1976 and 1998. Jobs seized this unique opportunity to promote his brand at one of the world’s most high-profile television events: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In addition to Le Mans, the 1980 campaign also took place on the American continent, in IMSA. The Apple livery, worn exclusively on chassis number 009 00030, was short-lived: one season and seven races.

At Le Mans, the Porsche 935K bearing the Apple logo was number 71, with Bobby Rahal (United States), Allan Moffat (Australia) and Bob Garretson (United States) at the wheel. However, the adventure was cut short on the Manche circuit, with the car retiring on the 134th lap when a seized piston dashed all hopes. At the time, the team was in eighth place overall.

A 935 K2 was converted to street legal specification and featured identical to the 935/78 “Moby Dick”. The 1986 K2 which was 1 of only 12 imported into the U.S. at the time is currently owned by Peter Lima of Real Muscle car of Miami.

Originally purchased by the owner of Golds Gym in 1986 from Auto Saloon 2000 in Miami for nearly US$200,000. The unrestored 190 mph+ Porsche has been untouched since 88′ when he was indicted for the distribution of illegal drugs. The specific Kremer K2 was auctioned off at Mecum Monterey Auction 2015 for an unknown amount.

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History : See wikipedia article