Ben Weinberger, Porsche's spokesperson, honors the 60th anniversary of the 904 Carrera GTS's Targa Florio victory, driving two Cayenne GTS models through the historic Sicilian rally route.

Porsche Celebrates 60 Years of Victory at Targa Florio with a Modern Twist

Ben Weinberger, Porsche’s spokesperson, honors the 60th anniversary of the 904 Carrera GTS’s Targa Florio victory, driving two Cayenne GTS models through the historic Sicilian rally route.

Sixty years after Porsche’s historic triumph in the Targa Florio, Ben Weinberger, Porsche’s spokesperson for the Macan and Cayenne, embarks on a nostalgic journey through the legendary rally’s Sicilian roads. The 1964 victory of the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS is honored with a drive in two Cayenne GTS models, a Carmine Red SUV and a Carrara White Metallic SUV Coupé, through the storied Madonie mountains.

As dawn breaks over the historic Targa Florio course, the scene is set with the quiet grandeur of the Floriopoli grandstand, the once bustling hub of the race. The Cayenne GTS duo, equipped with the latest in digital navigation aids via the “ROADS by Porsche” app, begins its trek through the picturesque and challenging Sicilian landscape.

The journey is a blend of old and new, with the Cayenne GTS navigating narrow passes and switchbacks that once tested the mettle of racing legends. This modern tribute revisits the 720-kilometer course where, on April 26, 1964, Antonio Pucci and Colin Davis claimed victory in their silver Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, completing the race in just over seven hours at an average speed of 100 km/h.

Despite the Targa Florio’s shift from a World Sportscar Championship race to a rally event focusing on regularity rather than speed, its spirit endures. The drive through the historic course is a testament to the endurance and skill demanded by the original race, now experienced through the advanced capabilities of the Cayenne GTS.

Porsche’s latest Cayenne GTS models pay homage to the 1964 triumph with a perfect blend of comfort and performance. The journey through Sicily highlights the vehicle’s dynamic precision, enhanced by its V8 engine, adaptive shock absorbers, and advanced all-wheel-drive system. The drive is not just a nostalgic nod to the past but a celebration of Porsche’s engineering evolution.

Stops along the route, including a visit to Collesano’s Targa Florio Museum and a drive through the village’s storied streets, offer a deeper connection to the race’s rich history. The route’s various circuits, including the “Piccolo Circuito delle Madonie,” the “Circuito Medio,” and the “Circuito Grande,” each hold tales of past glories, while the modern Cayenne GTS redefines them with contemporary excellence.

This commemorative journey underscores Porsche’s legacy in motorsport and its continued innovation. The Cayenne GTS exemplifies how the spirit of the Gran Turismo Sport lives on, seamlessly integrating past achievements with present-day advancements, ensuring that the Targa Florio remains a living legend for future generations.