This morning’s Hooniverse Asks led with a cutaway drawing of Porsche’s insane flat 12 racing motor. I just thought you all might like to see the first iteration of the car that carried it, the 917.
From the Flickr page:
When the brochure went out for the 1969 Geneva Auto Show it featured an announcement from the Porsche factory that they would debut their new 917 race car. This is the photo of the new 917 that appeared in the brochure.
Image source: [Nigel Smuckatelli, via Flickr]
About
And those that looked upon it knew fear.
And it was good.
Those that drove it (at least the early ones) also knew fear. I can't remember who it was (Vic Elford?) who recalled that there was always much rejoicing by the drivers when they broke; this was due to the aero-imbalance-induced evil handling of the '69s (the '70 Ks and Ls were much better).
[like]
Damn, that's a mean-looking bastard.
I could see myself pissing myself if that thing came up to pass me.
I should say, lap me.
Hubbuda-hubbuda-hubbuda….
Slobber…..
As an aside, I'm acquainted with Mr Smucktelli. In addition to having an awesome Flickr photostream, filled with vintage images of the Sebring and Daytona endurance races, the occasional "bit of crumpet", along with photos of his tour in Vietnam, Nigel (not his real name btw) has written some excellent stuff for MotorSportRetro and Sports Car Digest. Here's a link to his retrospective on the 917.
http://www.sportscardigest.com/happy-40th-anniver…
scroggzilla: Thanks for the link. It was an interesting read. The 24Hour race I attended last year was, while a fun time, a whole heck of a lot more sterile that the ones held 40 years ago. 🙁
As an aside, I'm acquainted with Mr Smucktelli. In addition to having an awesome Flickr photostream, filled with vintage images of the Sebring and Daytona endurance races, the occasional "bit of crumpet", along with photos of his tour in Vietnam, Nigel (not his real name btw) has written some excellent stuff for MotorSportRetro and Sports Car Digest. Here's a link to his retrospective on the 917.
http://www.sportscardigest.com/happy-40th-anniver…
The late & very great Aussie race driver Frank Gardner was awarded the Iron Cross for bringing a 917 home in one piece after a 1969 race at the Nurburgring. Those were the days. Men were men and cars were out to kill you.
bias-plys… those were the days. Can I get a couple of retreads please.
I'm old enough to have run retreads on my first car. Although they were cheap, that is one aspect of automotive hisory that I do not miss.
I had bias-ply mud tires on a 4Runner as late as 2003. Super Swamper SXs: 35×15.50-15.
They had six ply steel sidewalls. those, with steel wheels weighed about 100lbs each. Completely indestructible, though.
Wow!
I have been a 917-manic since I was 16. Some 30 years ago.
I touched one at the PCCA Meet is Maine in the 80's. A pilgrimage so to speak.
Thanks…
Leave a Reply