From the mid-1980s onwards, the extreme downforce prototypes of Group C caused a sensation in the World Sportscar Championship, the IMSA, and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche was right at the heart of the action and leading the way with its 956 and 962 C models.
Some of the 962s eventually found their way onto public roads. At the beginning of the 1990s, changes in the regulations made the Porsche 962 C less attractive for racing. But what to do with the more than 125 cars that Porsche and various private teams had previously used in racing? While some vehicles disappeared into depots, a number of drivers and team owners cherished the dream of getting these cars road-legal. Among them were Jochen Dauer, Vern Schuppan, and Koenig Specials. With some effort, all three—and others—finally managed to convert the 962 so that it could be road-legal. This set new standards beyond familiar track benchmarks such as the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959. Koenig Specials went one step further and gave the car a complete overhaul to make it more suitable for everyday use. After the modifications, none of the original components were compatible with the modified vehicle.The Koenig Special C62 has an output of around 550 hp.
At first glance, the lines of the 962 C remain unchanged, but for approval in Germany, the headlights were raised and the fenders were modified to create more clearance for the suspension. In addition, Koenig Specials raised the car significantly to increase ground clearance and reduce the impact of curbs and manhole covers. A Plexiglas cover was installed over the six-cylinder boxer engine for maintenance work. As with the race car, the rear end can be completely removed. Instead of the race engine, a 3.4-liter boxer with turbocharger was used, based on the Porsche 911 (964) Turbo. With around 550 hp at bar boost pressure, this was a respectable performance in 1991. In combination with a manual five-speed transmission and the 962 brake system, the car was well equipped for precise driving maneuvers. Underneath the independent bodywork from Koenig Specials, the C62 is based on a chassis from Thompson. Similar to Kremer Racing, Thompson manufactured independent 962 chassis with improved crash sensitivity and greater rigidity. After the end of Group C, these vehicles, like all other Porsche 962s, were left on the shelf. Koenig Specials originally planned a small series of 30 units at a base price of DM 1,800,000. Such a hefty price tag for a new car was a sensation at the time – and also the reason why the planned number of units was never realized. In fact, exactly three C62s were built, one in red, one in black and one in yellow.
