Porsche 962

[Ell.a]

History behind this famous Miami Vice prop from the Season 2 episode "Florence Italy", The Lowenbrau car.

1985 Porsche 962-HR1 - 'The Lowenbrau Car'

Al Holbert's Spectacular Three-Time IMSA Championship Winner

"Instantly recognizable as ‘The Lowenbrau Carâ€, 962-HR1 and its predecessor (962-103) are by far the most successful and recognizable sports cars ever to race in the legendary IMSA GTP Series. Constructed by Holbert Racing under license from Porsche AG, HR1 is also an active tribute to Al Holbert who was, almost inarguably, the greatest sports car driver and team owner of his time.

The achievements of HR1 are without parallel and include an incredible three IMSA championships, ten overall wins and eighteen podium finishes. Holbert’s co-drivers in HR1 were Derek Bell, Chip Robinson and Al Unser, Jr."

This car was damn fast, in no small part because they had super talented drivers.

962-HR1 Competition Highlights:

1985 IMSA GTP Drivers Championship

1985 Porsche Cup USA

1986 IMSA GTP Drivers Championship

1987 IMSA GTP Manufacturers Championship (2nd in driver points)

1987 Daytona 24 Hours Overall Winner

6 Poles including its first race in 1985 and last race in 1988

19 podium finishes

11 overall wins

It was Holbert Racing and Al Holbert that played such a large part in this episode with loaning the Lowenbrau car for use in the filming of the episode. Al Holbert would be killed in a tragic accident only 2 years later, and was praised for a last heroic act of skill. On September 30, 1988, Holbert was at the IMSA Columbus Ford Dealers 500. That evening, Holbert was fatally injured when his privately owned propeller driven Piper PA-60 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Columbus, Ohio when a clamshell door was not closed. Holbert successfully diverted his aircraft away from a group of houses it was heading toward. IMSA would later retire his car number - #14.

Info courtesy of Richie Rich.