VIN: the Gulf Racing / Weissach VIP Taxi Porsche 917 chassis 015
History of chassis 015
Chassis 015 was one of the eight 917s raced by the Gulf-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering crew in 1970 (JWAE). Having spent a vast sum on racing and development in the years prior, Porsche decided to bring the highly rated JWAE squad on board to manage the racing side of things for 1970 and 1971. This would allow the competition department at Weissach to focus almost exclusively on development .
015 made its competition debut at the opening round of the 1970 World Sportscar Championship: the Daytona 24 Hours (January 31st and February 1st). JWAE had tested extensively at Daytona during November of 1969 and were confident of putting on a good performance.
The two JWAE race cars were entered for Jo Siffert / Brian Redman (014) and Pedro Rodriguez / Leo Kinnunen (015). Both the were running four speed gearboxes, Graviner automatic fire extinguishers and an additional window let into the roof for improved visibility on the banking.
The Ferrari of Mario Andretti and Arturo Merzario sprang a surprise in qualifying to secure pole. Siffert / Redman started second and Rodriguez / Kinnunen lined up third in 015.
In the race, JWAE scored a memorable one-two finish and chassis 015 smashed the distance record in the process. Rodriguez and Kinnunen were later joined by Redman; they finished 45 laps clear of the sister car which was in turn three laps clear of the third-placed Ferrari driven by Mario Andretti, Arturo Merzario and Jacky Ickx.
015 subsequently appeared as the T-car for the World Championship races at Sebring, Brands Hatch, Spa and Watkins Glen.
The day after the 6 Hour race had taken place at Watkins Glen, round three of the Can-Am series was held. As there was a substantial prize fund on offer, all three of the Gulf 917s in attendance were wheeled out despite being up against more-fancied Group 7 opposition.
015 was entered for Brian Redman to drive. He qualified eleventh and finished seventh.
Denny Hulme won for McLaren while Redman’s team-mate, Jo Siffert, was second.
Following its outing at Watkins Glen, chassis 015 resumed its role as the T-car for the season-ending Zeltweg 1000km in October.
It was then retired from competition duty.
In 1971, a new car (chassis 035) appeared and used the identity of 015 for carnet reasons.
The actual chassis 015 made its way back to Porsche where, between 1974 and 1979, it served as a VIP taxi at the firm’s Weissach test track. For this role, 015 wore a handsome red livery.
It was subsequently returned to its original Gulf Racing colour scheme and has remained in Porsche’s possession ever since.
Notable History
John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing
01/02/1970 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen / B. Redman) 1st oa, 1st S class (#2)
21/03/1970 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (J. Siffert / B. Redman) T-car (#T)
12/04/1970 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (L. Kinnunen / D. Hobbs) T-car (#T)
17/05/1970 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Siffert / P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen) T-car (#25T)
11/07/1970 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (J. Siffert / L. Kinnunen / P. Rodriguez) T-car (#6)
12/07/1970 CAM Watkins Glen (B. Redman) 7th oa, 6th S5.0 class (#6)
11/10/1970 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (J. Siffert / L. Kinnunen / P. Rodriguez) T-car (#T)
1974-1979 re-painted red and used as a VIP Taxi at Weissach
Retained by Porsche
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com
