Being traditionally air-cooled and with only two valves per cylinder, it still had less power compared to more modern F1 designs which delivered over 400 hp (300 kW), but were not suited to endurance racing.

The 908 originally was a closed coupe to provide low drag at fast tracks, but from 1969 on was mainly raced as the 908/2, a lighter open spyder.

A more compact 908/3 was introduced in 1970 to complement the heavy Porsche 917 on twisty tracks that favored nimble cars, like Targa Florio and Nürburgring.

The older and smaller 2200 cc 907 had started the season with dominating wins and later delivered better results than Porsche's first serious attempt in the prototype category.

The 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans was postponed from June to the end of September due to political unrest in France, setting the stage for a showdown between the 908s and the GT40s.

Herrmann's 908 low drag coupé was fast on the straights, but near the race's end the brake pads wore down, indicated by a light that was introduced with the 908s.

Based upon the lightweight and short Porsche 909 which was used in hillclimbing, the new open cockpit version, the 908/03, was even shorter than the 908/02, and only weighed 500 kg (1,100 lb) - very light for a long-distance racing car.

At the Targa, the car was given to JWA, painted in Gulf blue and as #12 with two red arrows, driven by Jo Siffert / Brian Redman to victory.

Four weeks later at the Ring, #008 was entered by Porsche Salzburg as plain white #22, with Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens leading a 1-2 finish after two JWA had crashed out, with no less than four 908/02 coming 4-5-6-7.

The single Ferrari 312PB of Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni was on pole by no less than 9 seconds and led the race for six laps when engine troubles started.

With Alfas scoring wins at Brands Hatch and Watkins Glen, and Ferrari developing the 312PB, it was proven that these nimble three litre prototypes could beat the 917s also outside of the Targa.

With the combination of the powerful 917 and the lightweight 908 in various variants, entering two factory backed teams plus supporting privateers and GT cars, Porsche dominated the International Championship for Makes each year from 1969 to 1971.

With new rules in effect in 1972, large engine "sportscars" like the 917 were no more allowed, and a high minimum weight for prototypes negated the main advantage the 908/03 had.

In the 3,000 cc category, renamed "Group 5 sports cars", Porsche's main advantage had been their low weight, as the engine was underpowered with 370 PS (272 kW).