One to Buy: 1975 Mercedes-Benz O317 Transporter “Martini Racing Porsche Replica”
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Between 1967 and 1969, Porsche commissioned three transporters from Mercedes-Benz based on the O317 platform. During the years that followed, this handsome trio traversed Europe, initially wearing Porsche’s red, silver and dark grey livery before they variously appeared in the colours of title sponsors Gulf Oil, Martini, Essex and Rothmans.
Today, just two of the O317s originally commissioned by Porsche survive with both having taken up long-term residency in highly respected collections. However, currently on offer at the Maxted-Page showroom in Halstead, Essex, is a remarkable O317 restored to resemble the Martini Racing transporter used by Porsche between 1971 and ‘74.
Martini became Porsche’s title sponsor in 1971 which was simultaneously the last year of the Stuttgart firm’s association with the Gulf-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering outfit. That year, the Martini-backed 917s won at Le Mans and Sebring while the team’s 908/03 scooped victory at the Targa Florio.
Following a year off in 1972, Martini returned as headline sponsor for Porsche’s 1973 campaign which now focused on the production-based 911 RSR that most famously won the ‘73 Targa Florio outright. The silver Martini-backed 911s returned in 1974 with the wild RSR Turbo that paved the way for subsequent forced induction models.
Based on a 1975 platform, the O317 at Maxted-Page (chassis 317 234106 00096) has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration, during which it was converted into a custom four-car transporter with the addition of a modern tail lift for ease of use.
Offered for sale with UK road registration, this superb O317 looks to be in immaculate condition throughout having clearly undergone a considerable amount of work at vast expense.
