Barnard Endurance Racer Prototype

617bhp South African supercar based on Porsche 962

Cash-strapped PH-ers for whom a genuine Porsche 962 remains ‘just out of reach’ will be delighted with the latest news from South Africa – the Barnard Endurance Racer Prototype could be yours for just one million Rand.

A million of anything sounds quite a lot, but in this case it’s roughly £75k. For a hand built, ‘race’-engineered machine reportedly capable of speeds up to 249mph that could be something of a bargain.

So far only the prototype has been revealed by Hyper Car, a company set up in Bloemfontein, South Africa by designer Chris Barnard after whom the new machine is named.

That development car is pictured here, and boasts a high-tech steel (Domex and Docol) front monocoque with a tubular steel rear cradle the company says is ‘designed to accept a range of high-output OHC V8s sourced from European premium brands’.

Original 962s still available - at a price...

The first car has a twin-turbo Porsche V8 rated at 617bhp, but the car has been designed to cope with significantly higher outputs.

With a layout loosely resembling the Porsche 962s from which the designer took his inspiration, Barnard says his creation ‘is the most single-minded performance machine yet from South Africa’. The swoopy composite body has a multitude of aerodynamic features with their roots on the race track, including a flat undertray, rear diffuser and cut-outs in the front wheel arches designed to help generate maximum downforce.

As a raw ‘racing car for the road’, features like power steering, traction control and ABS are not on the options list.

‘There is no question that South Africa has the engineering expertise and production skills to build a low-volume hypercar such as this,’ says Barnard. ‘I think when potential customers examine it closely - whether it be the suspension layout or the fact that the windscreen and side glass have been made locally, specifically for this car - they will realize that it is designed to offer not only a very special motoring experience, but also exceptional quality.’

The company expects to begin deliveries later this year, and says every car will be built to individual customer requirements.

If a faux 962 has whetted your appetite for the real thing, you’re going to need a bit more loot. PH found a few up for grabs at www.classicdriver.com including a 1990 Repsol racer for £575k. An even more desirable 1989 Jagermeister-liveried machine is P.O.A. – maybe it’s time for another lottery scratchcard…