10 Cars Not to Miss at Estoril Classics

Estoril Classics 2025 promises a spectacular weekend, with over 250 classic racing cars taking to the track. Prototypes, GTs, Touring Cars, and Formula 1 cars will transform the Autódromo do Estoril into a living stage of motorsport history. To help fans navigate the action, we’ve highlighted ten unmissable cars.

The grids cover the full spectrum of classic motorsport: Classic Endurance Racing 1 and 2, Sixties’ Endurance, The Greatest’s Trophy, 2.0L Cup, Historic Touring Challenge, Classic Touring Challenge, and Classic GP.

From the 1951 Allard J2, a post-war thoroughbred, to the 1985 Ligier JS25 Renault, a symbol of the Turbo Era when qualifying engines produced over 1,300 horsepower, Estoril Classics offers a 34-year journey through technical evolution. It is a rare opportunity to witness, in a single weekend, the transition from handcrafted chassis to sophisticated monocoques, from naturally aspirated engines to extreme turbos—a true celebration of daring and speed.

To guide the audience through this wealth of history, we’ve selected ten machines that stand out above the rest. These are cars that defied convention, triumphed on the most demanding circuits, and decades later still send shivers down the spine when seen and heard in action.

Porsche 904 GTS (Fuhrmann) 1964

Introduced in 1964, the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS is one of the most admired models in Porsche’s history. It was the brand’s first competition car with a fibreglass body, designed by Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche—the creator of the 911 and founder of Porsche Design. The original version, powered by the four-cylinder Fuhrmann engine (Type 587), is regarded as a masterpiece of lightness and precision, and by many, the most beautiful Porsche ever made.

The 904 evolved into several variants, including the 904/6 and 904/8, with six- and eight-cylinder engines, allowing it to remain competitive in international endurance racing. It won its class at Le Mans in 1964 and 1965, shone at the Targa Florio, the 1000 km of Nürburgring, and Sebring, and was driven by notable names such as Hans Herrmann, Edgar Barth, and Gerhard Mitter. Its agility and reliability made it a formidable opponent, even against higher-powered prototypes.

At Estoril Classics 2025, spectators will be able to admire a remarkable representation of this lineage: Eric Poirot and Claudio Roddaro will compete in a 904/6 in The Gentlemen Challenge, as will Hipólito Pires and Diogo Tavares, and Peter Vögele and Dr. Afschin Fatemi with their own examples. In Sixties’ Endurance, Andrew Smith and Oliver Bryant will also showcase one of these iconic machines.

Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione 1965

The Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione represents one of the purest and most elegant expressions of Ferrari in GT racing. These competition versions were produced between 1964 and 1966 and came in several series: the “Competizione Speciale”—factory-built with lightweight chassis and alloy bodywork—and the Cliente Competizione models, modified versions for private teams, featuring lighter bodies, additional air intakes, and larger fuel tanks.

On track, these 275s proved their worth in endurance events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving class victories and consistently strong performances in GT championships.

At Estoril Classics 2025, one example of this icon will appear on the Sixties’ Endurance grid, piloted by Andreas Rolner and Jakob Viggo Holstein, and will also take part in the Iberian Historic Endurance race on Sunday. It’s a rare opportunity to see one of Maranello’s purest creations in action, with the roar of its V12 engine still music to any enthusiast’s ears.

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 1965

Launched in 1965, the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 is a gem of motorsport. Designed by Zagato on an ultra-light tubular chassis (“TZ” = Tubolare Zagato), weighing less than 630 kg, it stands out for its rare combination of agility, aerodynamics, and elegance.

On track, the TZ2 achieved significant class victories, including a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965 and first in class at the 1000 km of Monza with Roberto Bussinello at the wheel. Drivers such as Bussinello, “Geki,” and Teodoro Zeccoli helped cement the car’s prestige in GT racing throughout the 1960s.

At Estoril Classics, the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 will compete in The Greatest’s Trophy, piloted by Christian Oldendorff—a unique opportunity to see this rare car in action. With only twelve units ever produced, it remains an absolute symbol of the golden era of GT racing.

Porsche 917K 1970

Introduced in 1970, the Porsche 917K (Kurzheck) was the decisive evolution of the original 917 and became one of the most legendary cars in motorsport history. Its short-tail body solved the stability issues of the initial model, transforming it into an almost unbeatable machine. It was the first Porsche to claim overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year, with Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood at the wheel, paving the way for the brand’s dominance in the World Championship for Makes.

Immortalised on film by Steve McQueen in Le Mans, the 917K became a cultural icon that transcends motorsport. The roar of its twelve-cylinder engine and its unmistakable silhouette continue to thrill generations of enthusiasts, representing the pinnacle of the golden era of prototypes.

At Estoril Classics 2025, spectators will have the privilege of seeing and hearing this beast in action in Classic Endurance Racing 1, driven by Philippe Siffert—son of the legendary Jo Siffert—and Michel Speyer.

Tyrrell P34 Ford Cosworth (1976)

The Tyrrell P34, introduced in 1976, is one of the most intriguing and daring Formula 1 cars in history. It remains the only six-wheeled car to compete in official races, featuring four small-diameter front wheels and two conventional rear wheels—a design aimed at reducing frontal area and increasing grip.

The P34 enjoyed several moments of glory, with Jody Scheckter claiming a historic victory at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix, while Patrick Depailler finished second to secure a Tyrrell 1–2. That same year, Depailler also achieved a remarkable second place at the Italian Grand Prix.

At Estoril Classics, this iconic car will appear on the Classic GP grid, promising to be one of the machines that attracts the most attention from spectators.

BMW M1 Procar 1979

Introduced in 1979, the BMW M1 Procar is one of the most iconic models in BMW’s history. Built for the spectacular single-make Procar series, it brought together Formula 1, Touring Car, and Endurance drivers on a single grid, all behind the wheel of identical track-prepared M1s.

Powered by the inline six-cylinder M88/1 engine, tuned to deliver over 470 hp, the M1 Procar offered short but intense races, with drivers such as Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet taking the championship titles in 1979 and 1980, respectively. Its high-pitched roar and balanced chassis turned it into a cult car.

At Estoril Classics 2025, two examples will roar once again on the Classic Endurance Racing 2 grid: one driven by Sebastian Glaser and another shared by Steven Osborne and Chris Ward.

Porsche 935 K3 1980

The Porsche 935 K3 represents the pinnacle of turbocharged GT racing. Based on the 911, adapted to Group 5 regulations and optimised by Kremer Racing, it became visually unmistakable and formidable on track. The K3 version claimed overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979 with Klaus Ludwig and the Whittington brothers—a remarkable achievement for a car derived from a production model. Over its career, it won major endurance races and dominated the DRM, securing Ludwig the championship in 1979, the year of the German machine’s debut.

Legendary drivers associated with the 935 K3 include Klaus Ludwig, Rolf Stommelen, Don Whittington, and Bill Whittington, among many others who harnessed the raw power of the Kremer turbo.

At Estoril Classics 2025, the Porsche 935 K3 will compete in Classic Endurance Racing 2, driven by Xavier Maurey and François Cointreau.

Ford Capri Zakspeed Turbo 1981

Introduced in 1978 in the DRM championship, the Ford Capri Zakspeed Turbo is one of the most radical creations in Group 5 history. Built by Zakspeed, it features extreme aerodynamic appendages—flared wheel arches, a massive rear wing, aggressive air intakes—and hides under its bodywork a Cosworth BDA turbo engine capable of over 500 hp. A true on-track “monster,” it became an icon of the silhouette car era.

In the DRM, Germany’s touring car championship, the Capri Zakspeed went head-to-head with the formidable Porsche 935, even claiming race victories. Klaus Niedzwiedz and Hans Heyer were two of the drivers who made their mark behind the wheel, pushing the car to its limits and cementing its reputation as one of the era’s most spectacular machines.

At Estoril Classics 2025, this icon will roar once again on the Classic Endurance Racing 2 grid, piloted by Emile Breittmayer.

Ferrari 512 BB/LM 1982

The Ferrari 512 BB/LM S2 is one of the most impressive GTs of its era. Derived from the road-going 512 Berlinetta Boxer, it was transformed in 1981 by Ferrari and Michelotto into a radical competition machine, featuring a widened, wind-tunnel sculpted body, reduced weight, and a nearly five-litre flat-12 engine capable of top speeds exceeding 320 km/h.

In competition, the BB/LM excelled in major endurance events, achieving fifth overall and a class victory in GTX at Le Mans 1981, as well as notable appearances at the 1000 km of Monza, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

At Estoril Classics 2025, this example will take to the track in the Classic Endurance Racing 2 grid, piloted by Olivier Breittmayer.

Ligier JS25 Renault 1985

The Ligier JS25 competed in 1985, during the peak of Formula 1’s turbo era. Equipped with a Renault V6 turbo engine, this car belonged to a generation where qualifying power outputs exceeded 1,300 hp—a period of pure mechanical daring and technical audacity.

Although it never won a Grand Prix, the JS25 achieved several podiums, helping Ligier secure sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Jacques Laffite claimed two third-place finishes during 1985, and in the final race of the season in Australia, he drove the JS25 to an impressive second place, followed by Philippe Streiff despite crossing the finish line with his front-left wheel nearly detached after a collision with his teammate.

This French car, which competed in the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, will take part in the Classic GP at Estoril Classics 2025—a unique opportunity to see a Turbo Era Formula 1 car driven on the edge.