Description:

Bruce O’Neil’s 1968 Porsche 911S – A Trans-Am and Vintage Racing Icon

Introduction

The 1968 Porsche 911S, chassis #11800337, is a storied example of Porsche’s early racing heritage with documented SCCA Trans-Am participation, rare factory competition parts, and extensive vintage racing career. Raced by Dr. Bruce O’Neil, a dedicated Porsche enthusiast, this Tangerine coupe boasts a matching-numbers drivetrain, impeccable provenance, and eligibility for premier events like Rennsport Reunion and Monterey Historics. With only three owners since new, including nearly 30 years each with its second and third owners, the car remains a well-preserved icon of amateur motorsport, cherished for its authenticity and historical significance.

Bruce O’Neil’s Porsche Passion:

Bruce O’Neil’s journey with Porsche began in 1966 while he was a physician at the American Hospital in Paris. Owning a Porsche 912, he was inspired by the 911S models dominating the Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry circuit. In fall 1966, O’Neil visited the Porsche factory in Stuttgart, where racing director Huschke von Hanstein sold him a 1965 911 ex-factory test car, upgraded to 911S specifications for competition. Raced across Europe in 1967 with factory support, this car accompanied O’Neil to the United States in January 1968. He competed in SCCA events at Cotati, Santa Barbara, Laguna Seca, and the 1968 Riverside Trans-Am round, but by late 1968, newer 911 chassis were outpacing his aging model. O’Neil sold the 1965 911 to Walt Maas, who raced it in 1969 and 1970, and sought a faster replacement.

Chassis #11800337, a 1968 911S Tangerine coupe built on October 27, 1967, became O’Neil’s next race car. Originally sold through Autohaus Krauss in Nürnberg to Robert Gschossmann in Bamberg, Germany, it featured a black vinyl interior, Webasto heater, tinted glass, sport seats, and through-the-grill driving lights. After Gschossmann’s passing in 2022, early German history remains limited, but the car’s “Wagenpass” and Kardex confirm its authenticity.

Arrival in the United States and Racing Preparation:

In April 1969, Porsche air-freighted chassis #11800337 to O’Neil at Los Angeles International Airport, configured as a racing-spec 911S for SCCA C-Production regulations. The car arrived with factory racing components, including a roll bar, 6R and 7R Fuchs wheels, a 911R-style muffler, a lightweight interior with a Momo steering wheel, and a 906-style two-liter twin-plug race engine with Weber 46 carburetors. Retaining its steel body and non-flared fenders, O’Neil added “homemade” flares to accommodate larger tires on the 7R wheels. The 911S badge was omitted, emphasizing its competition purpose.

Racing Career: 1969–1973

O’Neil debuted the 911S at the May 3–4, 1969, Laguna Seca San Francisco SCCA Regional in the C-Production class. Sporting a yellow hood and Kirberg Motors sponsorship, founded by O’Neil’s friend Harald Kirberg in 1967, the car competed but likely didn’t finish in the top six, possibly due to a spin captured in photos. European-spec bumpers, taillights, and taped-over headlights were notable features. On June 12, 1969, O’Neil won the Sears Point Regional SCCA race, earning nine regional points. The car, now with “A” oil and Bosch Spark Plugs sponsorships, was photographed in its vibrant Tangerine livery, showcasing its racing pedigree.

At the July 6, 1969, Cotati Regional SCCA event, O’Neil raced again but likely didn’t place in the top six. Paddock photos highlighted the car’s racing modifications, including the roll bar, rubber rear decklid tie-down, and 911R muffler. The 1969 SCCA Trans-Am season marked the car’s highest-profile appearance. At the August 23–24, 1969, Laguna Seca Trans-Am round, Harald Kirberg, listed as driver and entrant under #29, practiced and qualified but didn’t complete the Sunday race. The car featured a black hood, replacing the yellow stripe, and briefly ran minilite wheels in practice, reverting to Fuchs wheels later. STP sponsorship replaced earlier decals.

At the September 20–21, 1969, Sears Point Trans-Am event, Kirberg was entered as #29, but records from SCCA historian Gary Horstkorta suggest the car didn’t participate. O’Neil continued racing the 911S in 1970 SCCA San Francisco Regional events as a C-Production car. The next documented result was the May 1–2, 1971, Laguna Seca SCCA Regional, with the car running its original #51 number. O’Neil raced sporadically until 1973, when a front-end crash during an event led to its temporary retirement.

Restoration and Vintage Racing:

After the 1973 crash, O’Neil stored the 911S until 1985, when he began restoring it to vintage racing specification. Completed by 1989, the restoration preserved the original gearbox, engine, and rare “R” components, including a 911R oil cooler. From 1991 to 1999, O’Neil raced the car in vintage events, including the Porsche 50th Anniversary at the 1998 Monterey Historics. His logbook from this period reflects meticulous care.

In late 1999, O’Neil sold the 911S to Dr. Ed Matsuishi, who had owned O’Neil’s 1965 911 since 1971. Matsuishi has raced the car extensively, competing in numerous Rennsport Reunions and Monterey Historics. Under his stewardship, the car retains its original drivetrain and period-correct parts, ensuring its authenticity and eligibility for top-tier vintage racing events.

Historical and Technical Significance

Chassis #11800337 is a rare artifact of Porsche’s early racing efforts. Its 1969 Trans-Am participation, factory-prepared specification, and over five decades of racing underscore its importance. An aluminum matching-numbers drivetrain accompanies the car. A 906-style race motor and 911R oil cooler come as part of the package.

The car’s ownership history is: Robert Gschossmann (1967-1968), Bruce O’Neil (1969–1999), and Dr. Ed Matsuishi (1999–present). O’Neil and Matsuishi’s respective 30-year ownership's both reflect a dedication to the competition nature of the car. The car’s eligibility for events like Rennsport Reunion, Monterey Historics, and European vintage races ensures its continued collectibility and value. 

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