“Legal Files” has written twice about the legal battle involving Porsche Carrera RSR prototype chassis number 9113600686, commonly known as “R7” (September and November 2023). We last reported that the litigation was settled with the Kenny Schachter car being declared the real R7. The car was then on the docket at Bonham Cars’ Goodwood Revival Sale (see Market Report, p. 74).
The R7 carried a pre-sale estimate of £3,750,000–£5,750,000 (about $4.7m–$7.2m) but was a no-sale at £2.9m ($3.6m) on the block, certainly a disappointing moment for all. However, about a week afterwards, Bonhams Cars negotiated a deal for the car at a reported $3.9m.
Its new home couldn’t be a better one, as R7 is now part of the collection of longtime SCMer Bruce Meyer. He was gracious enough to speak with us about how he came to own the car.
This is a fantastic car, and it makes perfect sense that a longtime Porsche guy would own it. What got you interested in the car?
I have to tell you, I only bought this car because of “Legal Files.” I knew the car was coming up for auction at Goodwood, and I was planning to be at Goodwood. But I really didn’t have any interest in the car — that is, until I read your first article, which intrigued me and got me thinking about how this may well be a car to consider.
Then I got a call from [Porsche expert] Andy Prill, who told me more about the car and encouraged me to bid on it. After that, I contacted you and you were nice enough to send me an advance copy of your second article, which bore out many of the things Prill had told me about the car. I did some more investigation of my own and concluded that this was the car, the real deal, and ultimately decided to bid on it.
Your articles were so well written, kind of like a car mystery novel, but it was all true! If it wasn’t for you, I would never have gotten interested in the car and never would have ended up bidding on it.
The bidding stalled at $3.6 million, but you weren’t the high bidder. What was that about?
I was hoping it would go for much more and I wouldn’t have been able to afford it!
What happened after the auction?
I got into negotiations with the Bonhams guys, who were just great. They were very candid with me, and basically told me how much it was going to take to buy the car.
It was more than I was prepared to pay for the car, but I started rounding up all the cash I could raise. I talked to other people I knew about it, to make sure I wasn’t paying way too much for it, and got comfortable with the deal.
But still, I was nervous about spending that much. My son, Evan, encouraged me to buy it, telling me, “Dad, you’re 82 years old. What are you saving it for?”
So that pushed me over the edge, and I called Bonhams and made the deal.
You weren’t the only bidder. Was it a post-auction battle?
I assume Bonhams was working with other bidders — that is their job, after all. But I was never aware of any specifics, and our negotiations just took their own course. My guess is that I was just the first guy who actually said, “Yes, I will pay that amount.”
I’ve known you a long time, and I know you haven’t really been looking to add cars to your collection. Why did you jump at this one?
You’re right — I don’t really need more cars. But this one was a dream come true. It’s a very significant car in the history of Porsche racing, its provenance is impeccable, and it ticks all my boxes.
I remembered when I bought the first production Cobra. It was expensive, but I asked myself, “If I don’t buy this car now, when will I ever get another chance to buy it?” It was the same thing with R7. When something unique comes along and you are able to stretch far enough to buy it, you just do it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will never come again, so you have to just seize the moment.
You said R7 ticks all your boxes. What are those boxes?
I bought my first Porsche in 1961. At the time, I had always loved competition, and I raced motorcycles. I was impressed with the remarkable winning record that Porsche had accumulated, and that they were such a winning marque. That racing success made me want to buy the 356.
My favorite Porsche ever was the 1973 RS. This is one of the prototypes that created the RSR, which was one of Porsche’s most successful racers. And its racing success was a major part of that winning Porsche record.
I’ve always been attracted to competition and race cars because competition breeds innovation and progress. The opportunity to buy a true Porsche “Werks” Le Mans race car was too much to resist. I had to find a way.
When did you drive R7 for the first time?
That was at Rennsport 7. They have a demo session for special cars, and I was invited to join in.
How did it drive?
Fabulous! It exceeded all my expectations. It runs beautifully. Its power curve is very smooth, it tracks straight as an arrow, and its handling is very solid.
I own the Peter Gregg/Hurley Haywood Brumos 1973 RSR, and the two cars are very comparable. R7 has taller gears, so its throttle response isn’t quite as quick. It’s louder than the RSR because of its straight pipes.
It’s also quite comfortable for what it is. I’m not going to be using it on long drives or anything, but you could if you wanted to.
What are you going to do with it?
I’m going to look at it! Just looking at it in my garage means a lot to me. It’s an iconic car, I love the Martini livery, and the Mary Stuart tail, and everything about it. It’s very original and unrestored, clearly the real deal.
But as I said, I enjoy sharing, and I’m going to share it with as many people as I can. I’m going to display it at the Petersen Museum. I’ll take it to car shows and Porsche events, and whatever comes along.
At Rennsport 7, you looked like a kid with the biggest new toy ever. You and R7 were holding court at the end of one of the paddock aisles, and there was always a crowd around you. Didn’t you get tired of the attention?
It’s not so much the attention. It’s just that I really enjoy sharing the car with everyone. It’s a great car, and people know it. I love seeing them enjoy it. Owning such a significant car, in my opinion, comes with the responsibility to share it — which is my plan, and I started by taking it to Rennsport 7. ♦
John Draneas is an attorney in Oregon and has been SCM’s “Legal Files” columnist since 2003. His recently published book The Best of Legal Files can be purchased on our website. John can be contacted at [email protected]. His comments are general in nature and are not intended to substitute for consultation with an attorney.