VIN: the Martini Racing / Count Rossi Porsche 917 chassis 030
History of chassis 030
Chassis 030 raced just once.
Its sole competition outing came at the Zeltweg 1000km on 27th June 1971 which was the penultimate round of that year’s World Sportscar Championship.
Entered by the factory but run under the auspices of Hans-Dieter Dechent’s works-assisted Martini International Racing Team, the car featured an experimental transistorised anti-lock braking system about which Porsche’s engineers were highly secretive.
In the hands of Helmut Marko and Gerard Larrousse, 030 qualified third behind the pole-sitting John Wyer 917 K of Pedro Rodriguez / Richard Attwood. The works Ferrari 312 P of Jacky Ickx / Clay Regazzoni lined up second.
After circulating at the sharp end of the race for nearly four hours, 030 crept into the pits. While lying second it had suffered a right rear puncture that damaged the bodywork and sent Larrousse off track.
A lengthy pit stop ensued, after which Marko was sent back out. However, the by now heavily taped 917 K was handling unpredictably and, when the rear lights stopped working on the 122nd lap, chassis 030 was retired.
Zeltweg would be the last time a Martini 917 appeared as Dechent’s team were not present at Watkins Glen for the world series finale a month later. Porsche had already wrapped up the 1971 championship and only the Gulf-backed John Wyer squad did any further racing with works 917s.
030 returned to the factory for repair.
Over the next twelve months, the car was used as an ABS test bed during which time it was modified with distinctive cooling vents atop each front wing. It was then retired from active duty and stored.
After starting an association with Porsche in 1968, Martini & Rossi continued to back the works team for much of the 1970s. As a token of their appreciation for his patronage, in 1975, the factory supplied Count Rossi with chassis 030, the only 917 ever officially prepared for road use.
Chassis 030 was painted silver with matching wheels and fitted with a black leather.
Exhaust mufflers were installed but, as the 917 had never been type approved, the car’s registration proved problematic.
After several European authorities refused to cooperate, 030 was eventually accepted by the US state of Alabama. A licence was granted on the understanding the Porsche never came close to the state border.
Count Rossi was true to his word and, after he took delivery in April 1975, the car remained in Europe.
With a power-to-weight ratio approaching 750bhp per ton, a top speed of around 240mph and 0-62mph time of 2.6 seconds, 030 was undisputably the fastest road car on the planet.
Count Rossi retained the silver Porsche until his death in 2003 at which point it passed to his son.
Notable History
Martini International Racing Team
White Martini livery
27/06/1971 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (H. Marko / G. Larrousse) DNF (#28)
Used for test and development
1975 converted for road used by the factory
Repainted silver with black interior
April 1975 gifted to Count Teofilo Guiscardo Rossi di Montelera, Italy
Registered on Alabama licence plate 61-277 37
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com
