The Driver’s Seat: Henry Catchpole on the Lost Heigo Porsche 911 Rally Car

In his latest film for Hagerty, Henry Catchpole meets Dieter Röscheisen and tells the story of a very special Porsche 911. It is a car that not only drives brilliantly and looks stunning (who doesn’t like wider arches and extra lights?) but has a fascinating history.

Lost for decades, the “Heigo” 911 is now back to its very best as a rally car that can be enjoyed on the road. The story starts in 1979, when a young Porsche engineer (Röscheisen) was inspired to build a 911 rally car. With the help of some friends and a bit of money from a roll-cage manufacturer called Heigo, he proceeded to do just that. He competed in it successfully and spectacularly the following year but had to sell it at the end of the season to get some money back. Nonetheless, the Heigo 911 was the blueprint for the 911s that Röscheisen’s friend (and then-reigning World Rally Champion), Walter Rörhl, would campaign on three occasions in 1981.

Röscheisen would go on to help Porsche develop the amazing 959 (check out Dieter’s fabulous personal photos) but his Heigo car was effectively lost for several decades. The 911 reemerged in the U.K., having been hiding underneath a Rothmans livery. Its paint was restored and three replicas were built, but only now, thanks to the work of Tuthill UK, Jeff Gamroth, Dieter, and the car’s new owner, the original is back to its mechanical best with full approval from Röscheisen. After a call from the wonderful Cultivated Collector to make the connection, Henry Catchpole is the lucky one to give it a proper shakedown on some roads in Wales.