The Porsche 935/78, known universally as 'Moby Dick', stands apart even within the extraordinary canon of Porsche works racing machinery. Werk83 has reproduced the car in 1:18 die-cast metal, capturing the clean race-day presentation of the white Martini livery with its characteristic red, light blue and dark blue diagonal stripes, Shell and Dunlop branding, and the number 43 on flanks and nose — exactly as the car appeared at the Circuit de la Sarthe on 17–18 June 1978.
A Works Prototype Built Without Compromise
The 935/78 was a pure works development of the 935, featuring an entirely new long-tail aerodynamic body, a wider track, and a substantially revised chassis. Its flat-six engine was fitted with water-cooled cylinder heads — the first Porsche racing engine to use this layout — and fed by twin turbochargers. The dramatic proportions of the bodywork gave rise to the 'Moby Dick' nickname.
366 km/h and a Race That Got Away
Entered under the Martini Racing Porsche System banner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1978, car number 43 was shared by Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti, both experienced Porsche factory drivers. On the Hunaudières straight the car was recorded at 366 km/h. Earlier in the season it had won the 6 Hours of Silverstone by a margin of seven laps. At Le Mans, however, a combination of misfiring and an oil leak meant the car finished 8th overall — a result that never reflected its outright pace.
Werk83 in 1:18 Die-Cast Metal
Werk83 produced this replica in die-cast metal at 1:18 scale, depicting the car in its non-weathered race specification as run at Le Mans 1978. The livery replicates the white base coat with Martini diagonal stripes and the period-correct Shell and Dunlop sponsor graphics. The result is a precise, display-ready record of one of the most technically radical Porsches ever constructed, rendered at a scale where the car's dramatic long-tail proportions are immediately apparent.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Porsche 935/78 'Moby Dick'?
The 935/78 was a Porsche works prototype developed from the 935 with a new long-tail body, wider track, and a flat-six engine featuring water-cooled cylinder heads — a first for any Porsche racing engine.
Who drove car number 43 at Le Mans 1978?
Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti shared the car, entered by Martini Racing Porsche System. The car finished 8th overall after misfiring and an oil leak hampered its progress despite reaching 366 km/h on the Hunaudières straight.
What livery does this model carry?
The model reproduces the Martini Racing livery: white base with the signature red, light blue and dark blue diagonal stripes, plus Shell and Dunlop sponsorship decals and race number 43.
What material and scale is the Werk83 model?
Werk83 produced the model in die-cast metal at 1:18 scale, in clean (non-weathered) race specification.
