Vic Elford’s uncanny ability to adapt between racing disciplines reinforces his extraordniary legacy with Porsche. Selecting a highlight amongst his victories at the Targa Florio, Daytona, Le Mans, Sebring and countless others, is an impossible task. However, Elford’s tenacity and persistence guided Porsche and their embryonic 911 into a new arena of motorsport. Rallying.

After an infuriatingly disappointing three-year stint with Ford Motor Company’s rally department, Elford craved a change to fulfil his potential on the special stages. Impressed by the 911 and completely fed up with Ford’s lacklustre reliability record, Elford approached Porsche’s competition manager, Huschke von Hannstein.

Towards the end of 1966, Elford arrived in Cannes after yet another early retirement. Conveniently, von Hannstein happened to be in town. Elford discovered von Hannstein was lodging at the Hotel Martinez and arranged to meet the Porsche racing chief for lunch. Elford’s plan was to convince von Hannstein to sign off on a rallying campaign with the 911.

Porsche’s total commitment to motor sport hasn’t waned since the firm’s inception in 1948. By the time of Elford and von Hannstein’s lunch meeting, Porsche had accumulated outright wins at the Targa Florio, Sebring and class wins at Le Mans. With the launch of the 911 in 1964, Porsche’s financial performance was buoyant too. From 1950 to 1960, Porsche’s turnover grew from 3.4 million marks to 108 million marks. By 1968, income reached 300 million marks.

Yet, when Elford made his pitch to von Hannstein, the initial response was lukewarm. No Porsche rally department existed and nor was there a budget to create one. However, Elford’s persistence and reasoning proved irresistible to von Hannstein. A decision to lend Elford a 911 for the 1966 Tour de Corse began a story which enhanced the legacy of Porsche’s most famous model.

Twenty-four hours on the rally of 10,000 corners, allowed Elford to acclimatise to the 911’s idiosyncrasies. Journalists insisted the car was unpredictable and prone to oversteer. Yet, a driver of Elford’s ability could drill into the real nuances of Zuffenhausen’s creation. In fact, Elford reported that understeer, not oversteer, was the main challenge to overcome with the 911. By the end of the Tour de Corse, Elford began to gel with the 911 and finished third overall.

On the Briton’s return to Stuttgart, with podium wreaths in the luggage, Porsche’s top brass were impressed. Additional support was provided for Elford and co-driver David Stone to take on the Monte Carlo Rally in 1967. Elford and Stone led until Monte Carlo’s meteorological roulette brought snow, forcing the British crew to third overall. By now, Porsche’s enthusiasm for rallying had peaked.

Porsche’s enthusiasm was justified by Elford’s emphatic performances throughout the 1967 season. Victories on the Tulip, Geneva and the Lyon-Charbonnières-Stuttgart sent Elford, Stone and Porsche to the Group 3 European Championship. On the Tulip event, Elford and his Porsche crew exploited an advantage with the 911’s adjustable five-speed gearbox while their competitors struggled with four speeds. During the constant short bursts of throttle, the special short ratios gave Elford a clear advantage in acceleration.

By January 1968, Elford and Porsche had developed a 911 capable of winning ‘The Monte’. Elford’s tireless work ethic endeared the Londoner to the Porsche works, an outfit which never shied from graft.

Elford faced two tough adversaries on the 1968 Monte Carlo. Finnish stars Pauli Toivonen and Martti Tiukkanen also had a 911 at their disposal and would prove a thorn in the side of the Elford effort. Arguably, an even tougher rival, would be Alpine Renault’s Gerard Larrousse. Ironically, Vic and Gerard later united to win the 1971 Sebring 12-hour endurance classic in a Martini Porsche 917 prototype sports car.

During the opening portion of the event, Larrousse caressed his Alpine-Renault A110 across the icy terrain and claimed an early lead. Nevertheless, Elford and Stone refused to panic and prepared for the pass over the Col de la Couillole. It was on this test that ‘Quick Vic’ displayed a flare which very few drivers in history have possessed. During this test, Elford and Stone demoralised their competition and recovered fifty-one seconds on their rivals.

Known to be a heavy smoker, Elford told reporters during the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally that he took three attempts to light a cigarette upon finishing a special stage. It is unclear whether this difficulty resulted from the cold, which Elford despised, or from the residual adrenaline of skating a Porsche 911 T over a perilous col.

Despite Elford’s heroic recovery, the Englishman remained locked in battle for victory with Larrousse. In the spirit of a true Monte Carlo classic, the duel would be settled over the infamous Col de Turini. Regretfully, the rallying community was robbed of a true fight between Larrousse and Elford due to the mindlessness of a minority.

A whole menu of hazards must be conquered to win the Monte Carlo rally. Ice, snow, wet tarmac and evolving conditions make the event a strategical nightmare for the crews. However, one hazard which rears its ugly head on occasion, is ‘fan’ intrusion. Unsatisfied with the gloriously exciting spectacle before them, unwelcome members of the stage side congregation feel the need to sabotage competitors by throwing unexpected snow onto a previously clear road. All in the name their own entertainment. Sadly, this crass intervention stole Gerard Larrousse’s opportunity to fight Elford for the win. As Larrousse approached the previously clear section, the Frenchman couldn’t react to avoid the unexpected snow and careered off the road. Thus, ending his chances of victory.

Elford and Stone safely negotiated the final kilometres to claim victory by a mere seventy-six seconds from their fellow Porsche crew of Toivonen and Tiukkanen. On arrival in Casino Square, Elford and Stone’s #210 Porsche was greeted gleefully by the service park. The dark haired Elford grinned for the cameras, but not before lighting a well-deserved cigarette.

In true Monte Carlo style, Elford and Stone changed out of their overalls and into more suitable jacket and tie to receive the winner’s trophy from Prince Rainier and the elegant Princess Grace.

Vic Elford and David Stone’s Monte Carlo victory in 1968 is a vital element of the 911 legend. This unusual recipe of a rear-engine sports car has proven to be the most versatile racing car of all time. In the world of luxury goods, glamour sells, and Porsche has etched its name on a dazzling variety of prestigious prizes. Le Mans, Sebring, Monte Carlo, the Targa Florio and more. The 911 has won them all.