Just one week after his accident and Stirling has good reason smile, he has acquired a Porsche RS 61 Spyder, a car he has long sought after. The car in question was bought, via proxy, at the Amelia Island Auction in Florida, run by Gooding & Company, on Friday, 12th March.

David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Co said of the auction "With more than USD16.1 million in total sales that evening and a strong showing by many of our collectors and clients, I am very pleased with the results from our debut Amelia Island Auction." Lot 55 finally went for a figure of USD1.705 million, including the buyer's premium. A delighted Stirling and Susie said “this makes a wonderful 30th Wedding Anniversary present” and added “its something to look forward too” when he recovers from his injuries.

Stirling raced the Porsche RS series of cars during his professional racing career, we recently covered the Porsche RS 60 in The Cars series of articles on www.stirlingmoss.com, in which he so nearly won the 1961 Targa Florio.

The full history and specification of the Porsche RS 61 won at auction is as follows:

• The Bob Holbert, Thomas Payne and Millard Ripley 1962 Watkins Glen SCCA National-Winning 1961 Porsche RS 61
• Chassis No. 718.070
• Engine No. P90505
• One of only fourteen RS 61’s built
• Exceptional US racing history with 13 Wins and 20 Podium Finishes in SCCA National Competition
• One of the few RS 60/61’s with original bodywork
• Coachwork by Wendler
• Impressive, known ownership history from new, to which we can add Sir Stirling Moss OBE
• Correct Type 547 engine and Type 718 gearbox
• 1,678 CC DOHC Air-Cooled Boxer 4-Cylinder Engine
• Twin Weber carburettors
• Approximately 180 BHP at 7,800 RPM
• 5-Speed manual gearbox with limited slip differential
• 4-wheel finned alloy drum brakes
• Independent front suspension with trailing arms and torsion bar
• Independent rear suspension with wishbones and coil-over shock absorbers
• Eligible for the Colorado Grand, Tour Auto and the Le Mans Classic