VIN: the works Porsche 917 chassis 003
History of chassis 003
Chassis 003 was one of the original 25 917s built to secure homologation.
Prior to inspection and clearance by the FIA, 003 was trucked to la Sarthe where it took part in the Le Mans Test at the end of March.
Driven by Hans Herrmann and Rolf Stommelen, the car was given a gentle shakedown and set eleventh quickest time of the weekend.
The sister 917 (chassis 002) had a more intensive workout and Stommelen used it to go fastest overall, hitting 220mph down the Mulsanne Straight.
Both 002 and 003 attended Le Mans with the original Langheck rear body section.
Three weeks later, chassis 003 was lined up alongside the other 25 917s that had been assembled for FIA inspection.
Homologation was granted on May 1st.
Within two weeks, chassis 002 and 003 were taken to Belgium for round six of the World Sportscar Championship: the Spa 1000km.
Now fitted with new Kurzheck rear body sections, the 917s were part of a four car works entry that also comprised long tailed 908s.
003 was allocated to Jo Siffert and Brian Redman. Arguably the best pair of endurance drivers in the world, they practised in the 917 but elected to race a more stable 908 (and won).
Gerhard Mitter and Udo Schutz did start in the sister 917 (002), but their race lasted a solitary lap before engine problems forced them out.
Like 002, chassis 003 returned to the factory where it was subjected to Porsche’s Long Distance Life Test. Once fatigue rates were checked, 003 was scrapped.
Notable History
Porsche System Engineering
30/03/1969 IND Le Mans Test (H. Herrmann / R. Stommelen) 11th oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#46)
21/04/1969 Factory homologation presentation
11/05/1969 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Siffert / B. Redman) DNS drove 908 instead (#31)
Subject to Long Distance Life Test and then scrapped
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
