Porsche 718 + Derek Bell + Targa Florio = Driving Nirvana

By Jerry Perez - May 12, 2016

porsche-718-bell

There are iconic race cars, and then there is the Porsche 718. There are iconic races, and then there is the Targa Florio.

Immortalized by risky curves, wild road hazards, and its 4,473 miles length, the Targa Florio is hands down one of the most important races in the world — up there with Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana.

And the 718 is one of the most important Porsches. The tiny and relatively underpowered 718 may look simple at first sight, but this perfectly balanced, air cooled, and naturally aspirated little Porsche was and still is a quick little devil. Especially when at the hands of racing royalty like Derek Bell.

The Petrolicious video below is a beautiful compilation of Bell’s memories from his time behind the wheel of the 718 at the Targa Florio. He comments on how this 170-horsepower metal miracle was able to handle like no other race car could back in its glory days.

“Once you get it on song, get up to 7,000-plus-revs, it was absolutely amazing,” says Bell, “…and the fact you could brake so perfectly, flick it into a corner, put the power on… it just wanted the hell driven out of it.”

Grab a beer, a glass of wine, a bottled water, or whatever beverage you prefer, but please relax and turn up the volume!