1970 Porsche 917-032
The Porsche 917 was and is an epic tour de force in racing car concept and design. In 1969, the racing car world was shaken in awe by the Porsche factory's new warhorse developed to contest the World Championship of Makes and become the overall victor.
The chassis is aluminum alloy, hollow tubular in structure, incredibly light; weighing a mere 104 lbs, conceived by the engineering genius of Peter Falk and Helmut Flegl. The left side of the chassis was cleverly used as the oil channel between the engine in the rear and oil coolers located in the front.
The engine designed by Hans Metzger and Valentin Schaeffer is a masterful, mechanical manifestation. It is an air cooled flat 12 cylinder with 4 cam shafts and twin spark ignition. The cooling fan is horizontally mounted at the center of the engine. Twin distributors ignite 24 spark plugs. The engine block is magnesium, the cylinder heads are aluminum and the connecting rods are titanium. The total engine package is incredibly light at 530 lbs. These engines came in two variants: 4.5 liters and 4.9 liters. The engine in this car is the larger 4.9 liters variant which makes 630 horses at 7500 RPM.
The transaxle is a 5 speed in cast magnesium with a ZF limited slip differential, the triple disc clutch engages power to titanium drive shafts.
917s, equipped such as our feature car, recorded speeds at Le Mans of 240 mph. Fanatical attention to engineering details in engine, transaxle, and chassis and suspension construction ensured lightness. Porsche's acquired expertise in racing combat resulted in jaw dropping speeds as well as the ability to endure any racing length.
The Porsche 917 entered the scene designed to win. Win it did. From 1969 to 1972, an extra ordinary length of time to remain competitive in the racing car realm, it proved to be all conquering.
Porsche won LeMans in 1970 and 9 out of 10 World Championship of Makes races that year. The 917 set records on many tracks throughout the world. One which remains unbroken, incredibly, to this day. This car, 917-032, was a developmental test car. The factory used it extensively in many configurations using both the 4.5 and 4.9 liter motors along with various 4 and 5 speed transaxles with numerous gear selections. It also was tested with various aerodynamic designs. Drivers in these exhaustive tests included: Willi Kauhsen, Derek Bell, Jo Siffert and Vic Elford running at Nurburgring, Hockenheim and Weissach.
917-032 has been meticulously restored by period factory experts using factory period parts to insure authenticity and accuracy. It is equipped with the finned short tail which has proven to be the most stable as well as the best developed for maximizing top speed at the fastest circuits. The big 4.9 liter, 630 hp motor is fitted along with the 5 speed transaxle insuring the best outcome in performance on any track anywhere.
917-032 fires on the button and remarkably, it can be driven on the street. The only caveat being that the driver must be in full control of the adrenaline rush- for 240mph can arrive quickly. The car is ready for any race track or show field.
Full current F.I.A. papers accompany this car as well as a current German title.
This World Champion of Makes icon would enhance any racing car collection as well as be a source of inspiration to whomever might lay eyes upon it or experience its phenomenal spirit in the drive - be it on the street or track.
Spare parts include:
- Complete set of original unrestored brake calipers
- One short tail rear body section (restored)
- One front bonnet (restored)
- Tachometer
- Four original wheels
- One rear fin-tail body section (unrestored)
