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Legendary Porsche 917 on a Successful Journey
The legendary Porsche 917 is an iconic racing car that has redefined the history of racing events. The car was first showcased at the Geneva Motor Show on March 13, 1969. Porsche’s founder Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche introduced the car with a desire to gift the car industry the fastest racing car. Since then, it became one of the successful cars grasping many victorious on racing tracks.
Though the initial years were challenging for the 917, the car manufacturer continued making various modifications with dedicated efforts until the car won its first victory at 24 Hours Le Mans, France. Since then, the Porsche 917 is tagged as the “Greatest Racing Car of Automotive History”. Even today it is known as the one of the fastest and most successful racing cars of all time.
Though the initial years were challenging for the 917, the car manufacturer continued making various modifications with dedicated efforts until the car won its first victory at 24 Hours Le Mans, France. Since then, the Porsche 917 is tagged as the “Greatest Racing Car of Automotive History”. Even today it is known as the one of the fastest and most successful racing cars of all time.
Birth of Porsche 917
The Porsche 917 project was started in 1968 after the international sports authority or FIA (International Automobile Federation) had announced the need of ‘homologated sports car’ with up to 5.0-litre engine capacity and a minimum weight of 800 kg. ‘Homologated sports cars’ are those sports cars that are approved by the official authority, the FIA, to run on the racing track.
Being frightened by the performance of its 7000cc prototypes in the 1967 season, Porsche became more alert and desired to introduce a new concept that could stamp on the racing track with a big bang. This gave birth to the 917 concept.
The skilled Porsche engineers brilliantly added a half motor to the existing 8-cylinder, 3000cc motor. This introduced a new engine with a 4500cc 12-cylinder unit. Under the supervision of Ferdinand Piëch, the stipulated numbers of units of the new racing car model were produced in April 1969. Earlier, the car manufacturer had planned to produce 50 units which were later reduced to 25 units. Thereafter, the Porsche began its actual racing career with its 917.
Being frightened by the performance of its 7000cc prototypes in the 1967 season, Porsche became more alert and desired to introduce a new concept that could stamp on the racing track with a big bang. This gave birth to the 917 concept.
The skilled Porsche engineers brilliantly added a half motor to the existing 8-cylinder, 3000cc motor. This introduced a new engine with a 4500cc 12-cylinder unit. Under the supervision of Ferdinand Piëch, the stipulated numbers of units of the new racing car model were produced in April 1969. Earlier, the car manufacturer had planned to produce 50 units which were later reduced to 25 units. Thereafter, the Porsche began its actual racing career with its 917.
Specifications of Porsche 917
The Porsche 917 was aerodynamically designed to meet the needs of different racing tracks. It was structured with a tubular frame composed of aluminium and the body made of glass fibre. Designed of aluminium the chassis of the car lost some rigidity but in terms of weight it was much lower than the steel chassis. It was fitted with fully independent suspension composed of wishbones that was further mated to the titanium-made coil springs.
The 917 was successfully powered by a 4.5-litre engine that generated an astounding 520 horsepower. It was fitted with a crankshaft similar to those found in 'V'-engines and the double overhead camshafts were driven from centrally mounted gears.
The rear section of the car was fitted with a detachable tail section that enabled the car buyer to select between a high-downforce and a low-drag tail in accordance to the need of the racing track. Though the car was powered with a responsive engine and structured with an aerodynamic design, it showed disappointed results in the initial races.
The 917 was successfully powered by a 4.5-litre engine that generated an astounding 520 horsepower. It was fitted with a crankshaft similar to those found in 'V'-engines and the double overhead camshafts were driven from centrally mounted gears.
The rear section of the car was fitted with a detachable tail section that enabled the car buyer to select between a high-downforce and a low-drag tail in accordance to the need of the racing track. Though the car was powered with a responsive engine and structured with an aerodynamic design, it showed disappointed results in the initial races.
Significant Modifications
After receiving unsatisfactory results in the initial races, Porsche got worried about the competition that came from Ferrari’s new car with a 512 bhp engine. The car did not perform well on the racing track as it did on the drawing board. Then Porsche decided to deal with the race customer John Wyer, a renowned racing car engineer, and sponsor Gulf Oil, a leading oil company. The significance of the deal was actually reflected when Porsche painted its 917 with orange and blue that symbolized the colours of John Wyer and Gulf Oil, respectively.
The skilled and talented group of John Wyer designed new bodywork with increased downforce and was named as 917 K or Short Tail. The so-called Short-Tail model was designed for heavily twisting roads where high contact pressure was of utmost significance especially for fast cornering. Thereafter, in 1970 Porsche while planning for the 24 Hours of Le Mans felt the need of a long tail car model. In response, a more aerodynamic car body was developed which had lower drag and better stability that was actually missing in the 1969 Porsche 917.
Thereafter, in 1972 Porsche introduced a new variant of the 917 with turbocharged engine that produced an awesome 1,000 bhp. This was followed by the launch of the 917 Spyders that were used in the CanAm and Interseries races.
Overall, Porsche had produced about 65 units of the Porsche 917. Out of the total 65 units, 44 sports cars were introduced as short-tail and long-tail coupés, 2 PA Spyders, and 19 sports cars as CanAm and Interseries Spyders.
The skilled and talented group of John Wyer designed new bodywork with increased downforce and was named as 917 K or Short Tail. The so-called Short-Tail model was designed for heavily twisting roads where high contact pressure was of utmost significance especially for fast cornering. Thereafter, in 1970 Porsche while planning for the 24 Hours of Le Mans felt the need of a long tail car model. In response, a more aerodynamic car body was developed which had lower drag and better stability that was actually missing in the 1969 Porsche 917.
Thereafter, in 1972 Porsche introduced a new variant of the 917 with turbocharged engine that produced an awesome 1,000 bhp. This was followed by the launch of the 917 Spyders that were used in the CanAm and Interseries races.
Overall, Porsche had produced about 65 units of the Porsche 917. Out of the total 65 units, 44 sports cars were introduced as short-tail and long-tail coupés, 2 PA Spyders, and 19 sports cars as CanAm and Interseries Spyders.
40 Glorious Years of Success
Porsche 917 has made a successful racing record. Most of the ardent racing fans recognize the 917 because of the two consecutive victories of Porsche John Wyer / Gulf Oil 917 at the LeMans. Hans Herrmann was the one who drove the 917 LH long tail to victory in both 1970 and 1971. After this victory, this Porsche’s racing car was outstandingly featured in the movie “LeMans”.
In 1970, Porsche confirmed its superiority with the 917 after winning the Racing Series World Championship in nine out of ten possible victories. The sweetest success was the victory at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race for which Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood brought the winner’s trophy home to Zuffenhausen on June 14, 1970.
In another season of 1971, Porsche won the Racing Series World Championship with its 917 with eight out of ten victories. Today, Porsche 917 has completed 40 years of glorious success in the racing industry. It still retains its position and significance in the industry. It is believed that about 50 international motor sports experts from renowned British trade magazine “Motor Sport” nominated the Porsche 917 as the “Greatest Racing Car in History”. This continues the successful journey of Porsche 917.
In 1970, Porsche confirmed its superiority with the 917 after winning the Racing Series World Championship in nine out of ten possible victories. The sweetest success was the victory at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race for which Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood brought the winner’s trophy home to Zuffenhausen on June 14, 1970.
In another season of 1971, Porsche won the Racing Series World Championship with its 917 with eight out of ten victories. Today, Porsche 917 has completed 40 years of glorious success in the racing industry. It still retains its position and significance in the industry. It is believed that about 50 international motor sports experts from renowned British trade magazine “Motor Sport” nominated the Porsche 917 as the “Greatest Racing Car in History”. This continues the successful journey of Porsche 917.
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