Schuppan 962CR

The 962CR is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car that weighs 1,050 kg (2,315 lb). It is powered by a water-cooled 3.3-litre Type-935 Flat-6 with twin KKK turbochargers producing 600 hp (608 PS; 447 kW) (about 182 hp/L). Power goes to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.[1] The engine was borrowed nearly directly from the standard Porsche 962 unit used in the North American IMSA GT Championship with a slight decrease in displacement. The car has a claimed top speed of 230 mph (370 km/h), and a 0–60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.5 seconds. It has a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and uses titanium fasteners throughout.[2]

The 962CR is based on the dominant Le Mans-winning Porsche 962 race car which Schuppan raced and owned with his own team. The carbon monocoques were built entirely by Reynard Motorsport and the body by Schuppan, although it featured design elements from the 962 race car.[3] Final assembly took place at the 60,000 ft² Vern Schuppan Ltd production facility in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Funding was provided by Japanese investors who supported Schuppan's race team that competed in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship.[4] Failure of payment from Japan for two cars, coupled with the high cost of the car's construction and a worldwide economic recession, forced Schuppan to declare bankruptcy, folding his car company.

962CR rear end

Priced at over US$1.5 million in 1994, the Schuppan 962CR is among the most expensive vehicles ever sold new. Rumors circulated for several years that the 962CR was sold new for US$2.5 million, but this rumor was eventually dispelled by author and Porsche enthusiast Karl Ludvigsen who listed a price of ¥195 000 000 (Approximately US$1.9 million at the time).[5]

Most sources say that six Schuppan 962CRs were built, with chassis #1 being a prototype chassis.[4][6] In November 2014, chassis number 006 appeared at Daytona International Raceway on display during the Classic 24 hour race. The current owners confirmed that the car was never driven and had 0 miles on the odometer.[6] The car had been owned by the company until it went bankrupt and it was given to one of the creditors as part of a deal to pay outstanding debt.[1] The car was believed to be the only one in the United States. Even though six were built, there are only four remaining in existence due to one being destroyed in a fire.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schuppan 962CR.

• Supercars.net - Schuppan 962CR
• Video of Schuppan 962CR #2 on the street in Japan, driven by Yasuo Miyagawa.