VIN: the works / Jo Siffert / Solar Productions Porsche 917 chassis 024
History of chassis 024
Chassis 024 was one of the rare Porsche 917s that never raced in period.
The car made its debut appearance at the 1970 Le Mans Test which took place over the weekend of April 11th and 12th.
The plain white #22 car ran under a John Wyer Automotive Engineering entry. As the date clashed with the World Sportscar Championship race at Brands Hatch, the Le Mans Test was rather poorly attended and wet weather kept lap times down.
024 was taken to la Sarthe for Mike Hailwood who would be driving for the team at the 24 Hours. Brian Redman also flew out from Brands.
Porsche additionally took one of their new Langheck 917s to France, but it only appeared for a brief shakedown and set 15th fastest time.
By contrast, Redman / Hailwood went quickest in 024 with a time half-a-second quicker than the works Ferrari 512 S driven by Jacky Ickx, Ignazio Giunti and Peter Schetty.
At some point after the Le Mans Test, chassis 024 was sold to Jo Siffert who had driven for the Porsche factory team since 1966.
Siffert had reputedly planned to use his 917 for the occasional race, however, the by now Gulf-liveried machine simply became a popular fixture at his Porsche and Alfa Romeo dealership, Jo Siffert Automobiles in Fribourg.
Between June and November of 1970, Siffert leased chassis 024 to Solar Productions for the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans.
Afterwards, the car returned to Switzerland to once again take up residence as the star attraction in Siffert’s showroom.
Unfortunately, on 24th October 1971, Jo Siffert was killed while racing in the non-championship F1 Victory race at Brands Hatch. The event had been organised to celebrate Tyrrell and Jackie Stewart’s wins in the Formula 1 Driver and Constructor standings.
Unknown to him, Siffert’s BRM had incurred suspension damage after a first lap coming together with Ronnie Peterson’s March. The BRM’s suspension failed with disastrous consequences a few laps later. Siffert’s car careered into the barriers and burst into flames with the Swiss ace unable to get out.
Jo Siffert’s funeral took place in Fribourg five days later when the streets were lined with thousands of mourners. Chassis 024, draped with a black cloth, headed the procession of vehicles.
024 was retained by Jo Siffert’s estate until 1976, at which point it was sold to French collector, Claude Prieur.
Prieur stored the car away until 2002 at which point it was sold.
Notable History
Porsche System Engineering
White livery
John Wyer Automotive Engineering entry
12/04/1970 IND Le Mans Tests (B. Redman / M. Hailwood) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#22)
1970 sold to Jo Siffert (Jo Siffert Automobiles), Fribourg, Switzerland
Leased to Solar Productions Inc., North Hollywood, USA, for the Steve McQueen film ‘Le Mans’
1976 sold to Claude Prieur, France
Retained until 2002
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
