One to Buy: ex-Solar Productions - Steve McQueen 'Le Mans' / Reinhold Joest 1969 Porsche 917K

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<<<ONE TO BUY PORTAL
<<<MECUM PORTAL

As a consequence of having to build at leat 25 917s in order to qualify for the up to five-litre Group 4 category, Porsche ended up with many more 917s than they really needed. Following the FIA homologation inspection in April 1969, the majority (which had only been quite loosely assembled) were dismantled to be properly built up at a later date.

The order for chassis 022 came in during early 1970: it was one of several 917 Ks acquired from various sources for the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans.

Filming took place between June and November of 1970; chassis 022 starred in the Gulf Racing colours of John Wyer Automotive Engineering and Le Mans came to be regarded as the seminal motor racing flick.

On January 18th that car, offered from the collection of Jerry Seinfeld. will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction.

Once filming was complete, Solar Productions sold chassis 022 to privateer Reinhold Joest who predominantly raced the car throughout 1971 alongside Porsche test driver, Willi Kauhsen. For 1971, Joest and Kauhsen had backing from a Mannheim Mercedes-Benz dealership. 022 would be campaigned under the Team Auto Usdau banner.

In the quintet of World Sportscar Championship races 022 entered in 1971, it was a nearly always a strong finisher: fourth at Monza, a brace of sixths at Brands Hatch and the Nurburgring and seventh at Spa were no mean feat considering the strength of opposition back then.

After a couple of late-season non-championship races in 1971 (to include a second place finish for Jo Siffert in the Rebubblica GP at Vallelunga), chassis 022 was retired from competition duty. Reinhold Joest sold the car to Brian Redman in 1975 who in turn passed it on to Richard Attwood in 1978.

Jerry Seinfeld acquired the matching numbers car in 2001.

For more information visit the Mecum website at: https://www.mecum.com/

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VIN: the Gulf Racing / Jurgen Neuhaus / Georg Loos Porsche 917 K chassis 026

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<<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS

Chassis 026 was one of eight 917s campaigned by the Gulf Oil-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering crew during 1970. Porsche brought Wyer’s much-respected outfit on board for the 1970 and ‘71 seasons to enable the factory to focus on development.

026 made its competition debut as part of a three-car Gulf team at the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours. It was allocated to David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood who qualified tenth but failed to finish after Hailwood aquaplaned and crashed into a stationary Alfa Romeo during the fifth hour.

Following its retirement, chassis 026 returned to the Porsche factory where it remained until the winter of 1970-1971. At this point the chassis was repaired and the car was rebuilt as a Spyder for Jurgen Neuhaus who wanted a Group 7 917 to contest the 1971 Interserie Championship. The chassis was re-numbered from 026 to 031 while the real chassis 031 had in turn been renumbered 026 for carnet reasons straight after Le Mans.

Jurgen Neuhaus had claimed the inaugural Interserie title of 1970 driving Hans-Georg Biermann’s Group 5 917 (chassis 007). However, the Group 5 917 was not expected to be competitive against an influx of new machinery for 1971 – like Can-Am, Interserie was basically an unlimited formula that permitted Group 7 cars which were lighter and more extreme than their Group 5 counterparts.

With this in mind, Neuhaus ordered a 917 Spyder for the defence of his title and went on to campaign chassis 026 in a spectacular red and yellow psychedelic livery to reflect backing from title sponsor, Shell.

Although he contested all seven Interserie races of 1971, Neuhaus had a disappointing campaign and failed to make the podium all year. His best results were a trio of fourth place finishes at Zolder, Keimola and Hockenheim as fellow Porsche driver Leo Kinnunen stormed to the title.

Neuhaus had more success in non-championship events and the odd round of the German Hillclimb Championship. He won the Nurburgring 300km on his debut outing with chassis 026 plus other events at Mainz-Finthen and Mendig. Four hillclimb victories were also netted (at Krahberg, Oberpfalz, Eller-berg and Sauerland).

Following an outing at the opening race of 1972 (where he placed fifth at the Nurburgring), Neuhaus made the switch the GT racing for the remainder of the season and picked up drives with Alpina (in a BMW 2800 CS) and Porsche Zentrum Nordheim (in a 911).

Chassis 026 was purchased by Cologne-based property developer and gentleman racing driver, Georg Loos. It joined a Group 7 McLaren M8F and Porsche 911 ST in Loos’ GELO Racing Team. For the ‘72 and ‘73 campaigns 026 was driven by Franz Pesch and Jurgen Barth.

In 1974 chassis 026 was sold to Olivier Chandon, heir to the Moet & Chandon fortune. Chandon retained it until his untimely death in 1983 while testing a Ralt at Moroso.

Afterwards the car spent the next 32 years in the collection of Michael Amalfitano who also retained it until he passed away. Since then, chassis 026 has been restored to its original 1970 configuration.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering (Gulf Racing)

14/06/1970 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (D. Hobbs / M. Hailwood) DNF (#22)

Converted to Group 7 Spyder trim

Sold to Jurgen Neuhaus (Team Shell-Heckersbruch), Wuppertal

12/04/1971 IND Nurburgring 300km (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa, 1st SRP2.0+ class (#1)
25/04/1971 GHC Krahberg Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#1)
02/05/1971 INT Imola (J. Neuhaus) DNF (#1)
06/06/1971 INT Zolder (J. Neuhaus) 4th oa, 3rd Gr.7 class (#1)
20/06/1971 IND Mainz-Finthen (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa, 1st SRP2.0+ class (#??)
04/07/1971 INT Hockenheim (J. Neuhaus) 5th oa (#1)
11/07/1971 INT Norisring (J. Neuhaus) DNF (#1)
18/07/1971 GHC Oberpfalz Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#155)
25/07/1971 GHC Eller-berg Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#188)
22/08/1971 INT Keimola (J. Neuhaus) 4th oa (#1)
29/08/1971 IND Mendig (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa, 1st SRP2.0+ class (#1)
12/09/1971 INT Imola (J. Neuhaus) WDN (#1)
03/10/1971 INT Hockenheim (J. Neuhaus) 4th oa (#??)
10/10/1971 GHC Sauerland Hillclimb (J. Neuhaus) 1st oa (#1)

03/04/1972 INT Nurburgring (J. Neuhaus) 5th oa, 5th INT class (#6)

Sold to Loos (GELO Racing Team), Cologne

06/08/1972 INT Norisring (F. Pesch) 4th oa (#20)
24/09/1972 INT Nurburgring (G. Loos) DNS (#??)
01/10/1972 INT Hockenheim (F. Pesch) 7th oa, 7th INT class (#30)

24/06/1973 INT Norisring (J. Barth) 5th oa, 4th Gr.7 class (#23)
15/07/1973 INT Hockenheim (J. Barth) 5th oa (#23)
19/08/1973 INT Misano (J. Barth) 6th oa (#23)
30/09/1973 INT Hockenheim (J. Barth) 7th oa (#23)

1974 sold to the Chandon collection, Haute Marne

1978 sold to Mike Amalfitano, Florida

Retained until 2010

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Gulf Racing / Ernst Kraus Porsche 917 chassis 031

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<<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 031

Chassis 031 was a 917 dispatched to the Gulf Oil-backed John Wyer Automotive team in England for use during the 1970 season. For carnet reasons it ran with the identity of chassis 026 which had been crashed at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June 1970.

Following a rebuild over the following winter, the real 026 re-appeared as a Spyder for the 1971 season and correspondingly ran with the ID of 031.

Meanwhile, the real chassis 031 made its debut at the non-championship Imola 500km race on September 13th 1970. Two Gulf 917s were entered: Brian Redman qualified third in 031 behind team-mate Pedro Rodriguez in the sister car while pole went to the Peter Schetty / Jose Juncadella Ferrari 512 S from Escuderia Montjuich.

With Rodriguez and the Ferrari out by one-third distance, Redman had an easy run to the flag.

Chassis 031 was next wheeled out for the Zeltweg 1000km World Sportscar Championship finale four weeks later. The sister car of Rodriguez / Kinnunen took pole ahead of Ickx / Giunti in the brand new Ferrari 512 M. Siffert / Redman lined up fifth in 031 behind a pair of Porsche Salzburg 917s.

After the other three 917s and the works Ferrari dropped out, Siffert / Redman recorded 031’s second race in succession. However, for the last half hour it ran very rough having suffered a partial camshaft failure. Nevertheless, the Gulf Porsche was still able to finish two laps clear of the second place de Adamich / Pescarolo Alfa Romeo 33/3-71.

The 917s did not race again that year. They returned for 1971 when chassis 031 made another two outings as a Gulf Racing entry.

At the Sebring 12 Hours on March 20th, Jo Siffert and Derek Bell started from sixth behind two Ferraris, two other 917s and an Alfa Romeo. They crossed the line fifth having run out of fuel and then been docked four laps for receiving outside assistance.

031 then contested the Le Mans 24 Hours over the weekend of June 12th and 13th. It formed part of a three-car Gulf Racing team which was supported by another trio from Martini Racing.

Richard Attwood and Herbert Muller qualified eleventh for 031’s final race as a works car. Despite having required a full gearbox rebuild during the night, it went on to finish second behind the Martini Racing sister car of Gijs van Lennep / Helmut Marko.

With Porsche and John Wyer’s agreement at an end (the Group 5 917 was not eligible to compete in 1972), chassis 031 returned to Weissach where it was converted to Group 7 Spyder trim over the winter. The car was then sold to German privateer Ernst Kraus as a replacement for a 908/02 he had raced throughout the ‘71 season.

Although turbocharged 917/10s were now the dominant machines in Group 7 racing, Kraus claimed a number of good results with his green and orange 5.4-litre 917 Spyder. He picked up a third and fourth at the Imola and Silverstone Interserie races and also finished second at the non-championship Mainz-Finthen event in June.

Unfortunately, during the first Saturday practice session for the Interserie race at Hockenheim on July 16th, Kraus was forced off track by the KMW SP20 of Jurgen Peter Kraus who did not check his mirrors while exiting the chicane as chassis 031 went by. The KMW sideswiped the Porsche which resulted in both cars leaving the track and incurring heavy damage albeit without injury to either driver.

Afterwards, Ernst Kraus leased Leo Kinnunen’s Interserie championship winning car from the previous season to complete his campaign (chassis 01-021).

Chassis 031 returned to Weissach and in 1973 was sold to Porsche dealer Vasek Polak. It subsequently remained at Polak’s Hermosa Beach collection in California until 1988. The car than found its way to Kevin Jeanette of Gunnar Racing and in 2004 returned to Europe.

Today, the restored chassis 031 resides in the Gulf Racing themed collection of Roald Goethe.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering (Gulf Racing)

13/09/1970 IND Imola 500km (B. Redman) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#3)
11/10/1970 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (J. Siffert / B. Redman) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#23)

20/03/1971 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (J. Siffert / D. Bell) 5th oa, 3rd S class (#1)
13/06/1971 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (R. Attwood / H. Muller) 2nd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#19)

Converted to Spyder trim

Sold to Ernst Kraus, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

03/04/1972 INT Nurburgring (E. Kraus) 9th oa, 7th INT class (#17)
01/05/1972 INT Imola (E. Kraus) 3rd oa (#17)
21/05/1972 INT Silverstone (E. Kraus) 4th oa (#17)
18/06/1972 IND Mainz-Finthen (E. Kraus) 2nd oa, 2nd SRP 2.0+ class (#4)
09/07/1972 INT Zeltweg (E. Kraus) DNF (#17)
16/07/1972 INT Hockenheim (E. Kraus) DNS (#17)

1973 sold to Vasek Polak, California

1988 sold to Kevin Jeanette, Florida

2004 sold again

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

One to Buy: ex-Gulf Racing 1970 Porsche 917 K

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<<<ONE TO BUY PORTAL
<<<FISKENS PORTAL

Although Porsche’s back catalogue is filled with beautiful and successful machinery, the iconic Group 4 / 5 917 raced between 1969 and 1971 remains unmatched in terms of status and desirability.

Conceived to exploit the FIA’s decision to halve the 50 vehicle homologation requirement for Group 4 Sports cars (a category where engines of up to five-litres were permitted), the 917’s arrival made the Group 6 Prototype class (where a three-limit engine was imposed) an irrelevance.

Following some major investment from Fiat, Enzo Ferrari took the challenge to Porsche with the 512 S, but aside from victory at the 1970 Sebring 12 Hours, the Ferraris were vanquished that season and the Maranello firm pulled the plug on a works programme for 1971.

In addition to its stellar results (to include Porsche’s first outright wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours), the Group 4 / 5 917 wore some of the most iconic liveries in motor sport history; thanks primarily to the Gulf Oil-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering squad, Porsche Salzburg and Martini Racing, the 917s remain etched in the memory of racing fans.

Currently on offer at the Fiskens showroom in central London is a 917 campaigned by the John Wyer team at Le Mans in 1970. Chassis 026 was driven by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood but failed to finish after it aquaplaned and crashed into a stationary Alfa Romeo during the fifth hour. However, chassis 026 (which wore number 22 in the race) proved the inspiration for the winning car in Steve McQueen’s seminal movie Le Mans.

After its outing at la Sarthe, chassis 026 was rebuilt back at the Porsche factory as a 917 Spyder. For carnet reasons it was fitted with chassis plate 031 and is thus often referred to as 917-031/026.

For 1971 chassis 026 was sold to Team Shell Heckersbruch and raced by Jurgen Neuhaus in a stunning yellow and red livery. After one race in 1972, the 917 passed to George Loos whose team campaigned it until 1973.

In recent times chassis 026 has undergone an exacting restoration back to its 1970 Le Mans trim.

For further information visit the Fiskens website at: https://www.fiskens.com/

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VIN: the Gulf Racing Porsche 917 K chassis 029

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<<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 029

029 was a new-for ‘71 example of the 917 that raced under the identity of an existing car, 014, for carnet reasons. The actual 014 had done four events in 1970 which included a win at the Spa 1000km.

Chassis 029 would serve throughout 1971 as a team car for the works and Gulf Oil-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering squad (JWAE). JWAE ran seven 917s at various times during the 1971 campaign (plus a handful of 908/03 Spyders at tracks like the Targa Florio and Nurburgring).

The JWAE cars were typically fitted with all the latest factory-supplied parts; for example, 029 arrived for the season-opener in Buenos Aires with new berellium brake discs. Although Jo Siffert blew an engine during practice, 029 qualified third behind the pole-starting sister car and the Giunti / Merzario Ferrari 312 PB. Unfortunately, Ignazio Giunti would lose his life in a nasty crash during the race.

Despite the sad events in Argentina, Jo Siffert and Derek Bell took a maiden victory for 029 while the sister car of Rodriguez / Oliver was second.

JWAE next raced chassis 029 at the Brands Hatch 1000km three months later. By this time, JWAE had picked up further wins at Daytona and Sebring. Siffert and Bell were once again behind the wheel; they qualified third behind a pair of nimbler three-litre Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Group 6 cars.

In the race, Bell and Siffert were plagued by gearbox problems and came home a distant third behind the aforementioned Alfa and Ferrari.

The Spa 1000km five weeks later saw chassis 029 again allocated to Siffert / Bell; they took pole position and JWAE went on to control the race from start to finish. Rodriguez / Oliver secured the win for the Gulf-backed crew while Siffert / Bell were second in 029 (the only car not to be lapped).

Chassis 029’s final two appearances came over a weekend in late July when it contested the Watkins Glen 6 Hour World Sportscar Championship race and the following day’s 82 lap Can-Am contest.

Siffert was partnered by Gijs van Lennep for the six hour race and they started second behind the Penske Ferrari 512M. Although a rash of punctures and rain-soaked electrics stifled the races of both Gulf 917s, 029 came home second, two laps behind one of the works Alfa 33s.

The next day, van Lennep used 029 for the Can-Am race. Meanwhile, Siffert was in Porsche’s brand new 917/10 Group 7 car. With the number of pure Group 7 cars in Can-Am having risen dramatically since 1970 (combined with some extremely rapid development), the Group 5 917s were no longer competitive in this discipline of racing. After qualifying well down the order, van Lennep was the best 917 finisher in ninth.

Chassis 029 was not raced again and returned to Porsche soon afterwards.

In 1974, Porsche loaned the car out to the Schloss Langenburg Automusem in Westphalia where it resided for the next 30 years.

2004 saw chassis 029 return to Porsche, since which time it has served as part of the firm’s heritage collection.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing

10/01/1971 WSC Buenos Aires 1000km (J. Siffert / D. Bell) 1st oa, 1st S class (#30)
04/04/1971 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (J. Siffert / D. Bell) 3rd oa, 1st S5.0 class (#6)
09/05/1971 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Siffert / D. Bell) 2nd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#20)
24/07/1971 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (J. Siffert / G. van Lennep) 2nd oa, 1st S class (#1)
25/07/1971 CAM Watkins Glen (G. van Lennep) 9th oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#92)

1974 Schloss Langenburg Museum, Westphalia

2004 Porsche Museum, Stuttgart

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Gulf Racing Porsche 917 K chassis 035

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<<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 035

Chassis 035 was one of eight 917 Kurzhecks used by the Gulf Oil-sponsored John Wyer Automotive Engineering squad during the 1971 season. Porsche had recruited Wyer’s team to manage the 917 competition programme for 1970 and 1971 to enable the factory to concentrate on development.

Throughout its career, chassis 035 raced under the identity of 015 for carnet reasons. The real chassis 015 (another JWAE Gulf car) had returned to Porsche at the end of 1970.

035 made its debut at the opening round of the 1971 World Sportscar Championship, the Buenos Aires 1000km, where it was allocated to Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver. Although Oliver had a minor off during practice which necessitated some repairs, 035 still qualified on pole. It came home second in the race behind the sister car of Jo Siffert / Derek Bell.

JWAE next ran 035 at the Brands Hatch 1000km three months later (round four). Rodriguez / Oliver once again took the wheel and qualified fourth. Unfortunately, on this occasion 035 retired at one third distance with fuel feed problems.

Everything subsequently came good for 035 at the Spa 1000km five weeks later. Rodriguez and Oliver qualified third. Together with the pole-starting sister car, the Gulf 917s controlled the race from start to finish; Rodriguez / Oliver took the win and second placed Siffert / Bell were the only car not to be lapped.

Chassis 035 made its final two appearances at Watkins Glen towards the end of July where the World Sportscar Championship finale and a Can-Am race were held over consecutive days.

035 was allocated to Derek Bell and Richard Attwood who qualified fourth on the grid for the 6 Hour World Championship contest. Their race (like that of the other Gulf 917) was hampered by a rash of punctures and rain-soaked ignition leads. Nevertheless, they finished second and third with 035 taking the final podium spot.

The next day, Derek Bell drove 035 in the Can-Am race. By this time, the Group 5 917s were not in the same league as the unlimited Group 7 machinery. Bell qualified 15th and finished the 82 lap race in eleventh.

Afterwards, chassis 035 was retired from active duty.

In 1972 it was sold to serial Porsche racer, Raymond Touroul, who was based on the outskirts of Paris.

035 subsequently passed through the hands of a couple more French owners before entering the long-term ownership of Gilles Bochand in 1985.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing

10/01/1971 WSC Buenos Aires 1000km (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver) 2nd oa, 2nd S class (#32)
04/04/1971 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver) DNF fuel system (#7)
09/05/1971 WSC Spa 1000km (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#21)
24/07/1971 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (D. Bell / R. Attwood) 3rd oa, 2nd S class (#2)
25/07/1971 CAM Watkins Glen (D. Bell) 11th oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#93)

1972 sold to Raymond Tourol, Creteil

1973 sold to Marcel Balsa, Maison Alfort

1983 sold to Rene Mazzia, Le Mans

1985 sold to Gilles Bochand, Compiegne

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Porsche Salzburg / Martini Racing Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 023

<<<PORSCHE PORTAL
<<<917 PORTAL / <<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 023

Chassis 023 was one of four 917s leased to the Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg team for the 1970 season.

The Salzburg operation was a quasi-works outfit run by Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson, Ferdinand Piech.

Although Porsche had signed a deal with John Wyer Automotive Engineering to race the 917 for 1970 and 917, Piech (who had been a key player in the car’s development) still wanted to run the 917 in a semi-official capacity.

As a result, 917s appeared throughout 1970 under the Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg banner (Piech’s mother’s Austrian distributorship for the marque). Factory drivers Kurt Ahrens Jr., Vic Elford, Rudi Lins and Hans Herrmann were employed and the first John Wyer knew of the Salzburg operation was when they turned up for the season opener at Daytona.

For chassis 023’s first three races it ran in a plain white livery and was driven by Vic Elford. At the Brands Hatch 1000km, Elford was joined by Denny Hulme (substituting for Kurt Ahrens Jr. who had been injured in a high speed crash behind the wheel of a 917 Langheck). 023 qualified third and after a very wet race finished second.

At Monza, 023 ran the new 4.9-litre engine and updated Girling brake system. This time with Elford / Ahrens Jr. at the wheel, it qualified third but retired at mid-distance as the engine had been over revved.

At Spa, the same drivers qualified twelfth and had a good run to finish third.

For 023’s next two appearances it ran in a handsome orange and white-striped livery.

Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann shared the car at the Le Mans 24 Hours where they qualified 15th. As the other 917s dropped out, 023 came through to take Porsche’s first outright win at la Sarthe. It finished five laps clear of the only other 917 to go the distance: the purple and green Martini-backed Langheck of Gerard Larrousse and Willi Kauhsen.

Despite such a historic victory, chassis 023 was pressed into service for three additional races.

Its last outing for the Salzburg squad came at the final World Championship event of season: the Zeltweg 1000km. Elford / Attwood qualified fourth and, although they stopped eight laps from the end owing to a broken oil cooler, 023 covered sufficient distance to be classified in fourth.

For 1971, the Salzburg operation was disbanded and their cars were leased to the Martini International Racing Team run by Hans-Dieter Dechent. Dechent inherited Porsche’s full roster of drivers to include Vic Elford, Gerard Larrousse, Kurt Ahrens Jr., Helmut Marko, Rudi Lins and Gijs van Lennep.

023 made two appearances for the Martini squad in 1971.

At the season-opening Buenos Aires 1000km, Elford / Larrousse qualified fourth, but they were disqualified having completed 65 laps after two mechanics went out on track to try and fix a faulty fuel pump.

Elford / van Lennep then qualified eleventh for the next round at Daytona. However, just before midnight, 023 suffered a tyre blowout while Elford was at the wheel. The car went up into the banking where it was heavily damaged albeit without injury to the driver. 023 was repaired but not raced again.

In 1972, Porsche sold chassis 023 to Vasek Polak for the collection at his Hermosa Beach showroom in California. Polak retained the car until 1982, at which point it departed for the collection of Yoshio Matsuda in Gotemba on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Matsuda in turn sold the car in 1999, since which time it has been through the hands of a couple more major collectors.

Notable History

Porsche Konstriktionen Salzburg

White livery

12/04/1970 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (V. Elford / D. Hulme) 2nd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#11)
25/04/1970 WSC Monza 1000km (V. Elford / K. Ahrens Jr.) DNF (#10)
17/05/1970 WSC Spa 1000km (V. Elford / K. Ahrens Jr.) 3rd oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#28)

Red with white stripes

14/06/1970 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (R. Attwood / H. Herrmann) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#23)
11/10/1970 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (V. Elford / R. Attwood) 4th oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#21)

Martini International Racing Team

Silver Martini livery

10/01/1971 WSC Buenos Aires 1000km (V. Elford / G. Larrousse) DSQ (#38)
31/01/1971 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (V. Elford / G. van Lennep) DNF (#4)

1972 sold to Vasek Polak, California

1982 sold to Yoshio Matsuda, Japan

1999 sold to Symbolic Motors, California

2000 sold to Julio Palmaz, California

2011 sold to Carlos Monteverde, London

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Porsche Salzburg / Martini Racing Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 020

<<<PORSCHE PORTAL
<<<917 PORTAL / <<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 020

Chassis 020 was one of four 917s allocated to the quasi-works Porsche Salzburg squad for the 1970 season.

Although Porsche had signed a deal with John Wyer Automotive Engineering to race the 917 for 1970 and 917, Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson, Ferdinand Piech (who had been instrumental in the car’s development) still wanted to run the 917 in a semi-official capacity.

As a result, in addition to the Gulf-backed John Wyer cars, the 1970 season also saw 917s appear under Piech’s family’s Austrian import distributorship for the company: Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg. Factory drivers Kurt Ahrens Jr., Vic Elford, Rudi Lins and Hans Herrmann were employed and the first John Wyer knew of the Salzburg operation was when they turned up for the season opener at Daytona.

Compared to John Wyer’s team, the Salzburg operation had far fewer cars at their disposal, which meant each of their four 917s contested a lot more races.

Chassis 020 appeared throughout the 1970 season in a handsome blue livery with white aero flashes.

Its best result came at the Brands Hatch 1000km in April when Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann finished third behind a pair of Gulf entries.

Driving solo, Attwood also claimed third overall (second in class) with chassis 020 at the Watkins Glen Can-Am race in July. The day before, he and Kurt Ahrens Jr. had placed sixth in the weekend’s 6 Hour World Championship event. 020 had taken another sixth place finish at the Spa 1000km in May (for Attwood / Herrmann).

In its other outings during 1970, chassis 020 retired at Sebring and Monza (both with engine trouble) and then ran out of fuel at the Zeltweg season finale. The car had appeared during practice on two other occasions (the Targa Florio and Le Mans 24 Hours), but other cars had been chosen for the actual race.

The Salzburg operation was disbanded for 1971 and their cars were instead leased to the Martini International Racing Team run by Hans-Dieter Dechent. Dechent inherited Porsche’s full roster of drivers to include Vic Elford, Gerard Larrousse, Kurt Ahrens Jr., Helmut Marko, Rudi Lins and Gijs van Lennep.

Chassis 020 served as Martini’s T-car for the season-opener at Daytona, after which it was pressed into competition duty for the Sebring 12 Hours three weeks later. Having qualified fourth, Elford and Larrousse went on to claim a famous victory after the Gulf entries and the pole-starting Penske Ferrari 512 M all dropped out.

The car then contested the Brands Hatch 1000km (with van Lennep / Larrousse), but a loose undertray and a seized brake disc meant they were only able to finish ninth.

In chassis 020’s other two outings during 1971, the car posted a pair of DNFs. At Monza, Elford / Larrousse went out with a stuck throttle while at Spa 020 stopped early on with untraceable handling problems (again with Elford / Larrousse behind the wheel).

Thereafter, chassis 020 was retired from competition duty.

In 1972 it was sold to Vasek Polak for the Porsche collection at his Hermosa Beach dealership in California.

Polak then sold 020 to Yoshio Matsuda in 1982. It joined Matsuda’s significant collection on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Matsuda retained 020 until 1998, at which point the car returned to Polak who in turn sold it to Symbolic Motors in 1999. The car then went through the hands of a couple more US collectors before returning to Europe in 2005.

Notable Hisitory

Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg

Blue with white stripes

21/03/1970 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (H. Herrmann / R. Lins) DNF (#17)
12/04/1970 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (R. Attwood / H. Herrmann) 3rd oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#12)
25/04/1970 WSC Monza 1000km (H. Herrmann / R. Attwood) DNF (#9)
03/05/1970 WSC Targa Florio (H. Herrmann / V. Elford) DNS (#2)
17/05/1970 WSC Spa 1000km (R. Attwood / H. Herrmann) 6th oa, 6th S5.0 class (#29)
14/06/1970 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (H. Herrmann / R. Attwood) DNS (#24)
11/07/1970 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (R. Attwood / K. Ahrens Jr.) 6th oa, 6th S5.0 class (#32)
12/07/1970 CAM Watkins Glen (R. Attwood) 3rd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#32)
11/10/1970 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (K. Ahrens Jr. / H. Marko) DNF (#20)

Martini International Racing Team

Silver Martini livery

31/01/1971 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (V. Elford) T-car (#-)
20/03/1971 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (V. Elford / G. Larrousse) 1st oa, 1st S class (#3)
04/04/1971 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (G. van Lennep / G. Larrousse) 9th oa, 5th S5.0 class (#9)
25/04/1971 WSC Monza 1000km (V. Elford / G. Larrousse) DNF (#3)
09/05/1971 WSC Spa 1000km (V. Elford / G. Larrousse) DNF (#22)

1972 sold to Vasek Polak, California

1982 sold to Yoshio Matsuda, Tokyo

1998 sold to Vasek Polak, California

1999 sold to Symbolic Motors, California

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the works / Jo Siffert / Solar Productions Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 024

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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

VIN: the Porsche Salzburg / Martini Racing Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 019

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HISTORY OF CHASSIS 019

Although Porsche contracted John Wyer’s Gulf-backed team to handle the racing side of things with the 917 for 1970 and 1971, Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson, Ferdinand Piech (who had been a key player in the car’s development) still wanted to compete.

Piech was loaned four cars which would run under the Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg banner (the Austrian Porsche distributor owned by his mother, Louise (Ferdinand Porsche’s daughter). The Salzburg team also got to use Porsche’s works-contracted drivers like Kurt Ahrens Jr., Vic Elford, Rudi Lins and Hans Herrmann.

The first John Wyer knew of the Salzburg arrangement was when one of the cars turned up to race at Daytona.

Chassis 019 made its debut at the Sebring 12 Hours on March 21st (round two of the 1970 World Sportscar Championship). It was finished in the Salzburg team’s trademark aero flash livery, in this case white with blue stripes.

Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens Jr. qualified third, but they retired after 61 laps when Elford was hit by a slower car while trying to avoid another incident.

Chassis 019 was not seen again until mid July when it was taken to Watkins Glen for the double header 6 Hour World Championship event and Can-Am race (July 11th and 12th respectively).

Now presented in a blue colour scheme with white flashes (the reversal of its Sebring livery), Elford was joined by 1967 F1 World Champion, Denny Hulme. They qualified seventh, however, both the Salzburg cars in attendance struggled with chunking tyres. Nevertheless, 019 came home a respectable fourth overall.

Elford was back in 019 for the following day’s Can-Am race. He qualified ninth and had risen to fourth by the end of the 87 lap event. Hulme was the winner in his works McLaren M8D (a bona fide Group 7 car).

The Salzburg operation was disbanded at the end of 1970. For 1971, their cars were leased to the Martini International Racing Team run by Hans-Dieter Dechent. Dechent also inherited Porsche’s full roster of drivers for the new season to include Vic Elford, Gerard Larrousse, Kurt Ahrens Jr., Helmut Marko, Rudi Lins and Gijs van Lennep.

Resplendent in its new Martini colour scheme, chassis 019 appeared five times during the 1971 season. Unfortunately, it failed to finish on every occasion.

It retired with a blown engine after just two laps of the season-opening Buenos Aires 1000km (Marko / van Lennep). 019 then dropped out of the Daytona 24 Hours with a seized gearbox at two thirds distance (Marko / Lins).

At the Brands Hatch 1000km, fuel began leaking onto the rear tyres which briefly ignited in the pits and the car was retired (Elford / Redman). A broken fuel line then put Marko / van Lennep out of the Monza 1000km at one third distance.

In chassis 019’s final outing, the Spa 1000km, it retired after six laps when the engine died (Marko / van Lennep).

In 1972, chassis 019 was sold to Vasek Polak for the Porsche collection at his dealership in Hermosa Beach, California.

Polak retained the car until 1998, at which point it joined the Miles Collier collection (now the Revs Institute) in Naples, Florida.

Notable History

Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg

White with blue stripes

21/03/1970 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (V. Elford / K. Ahrens Jr.) DNF (#16)

Blue with white stripes

11/07/1970 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (V. Elford / D. Hulme) 4th oa, 4th S5.0 class (#31)
12/07/1970 CAM Watkins Glen (V. Elford) 4th oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#31)

Martini International Racing Team

10/01/1971 WSC Buenos Aires 1000km (H. Marko / G. van Lennep) DNF (#36)
31/01/1971 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (H. Marko / R. Lins) DNF (#3)
04/04/1971 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (V. Elford / B. Redman) DNF (#8)
25/04/1971 WSC Monza 1000km (H. Marko / G. van Lennep) DNF (#4)
09/05/1971 WSC Spa 1000km (H. Marko / G. van Lennep) DNF (#23)

1972 sold to Vasek Polak, Hermosa Beach, California,

1998 sold to Miles Collier, Naples, Florida

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Gulf Racing / Solar Productions Porsche 917 chassis 013

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HISTORY OF CHASSIS 013

Chassis 013 was one of the eight 917s raced on Porsche’s behalf by the Gulf-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering crew during 1970.

013 first appeared as a T-car for the Daytona 24 Hours (January 31st and February 1st), after which it saw race action at the Sebring 12 Hours on March 21st.

Sebring was round two of the 1970 World Sportscar Championship. 013 was allocated to Pedro Rodriguez and Leo Kinnunen while the sister Gulf Racing machine would be driven by Jo Siffert and Brian Redman. Also in attendance were two cars from the Porsche Salzburg outfit.

Having spent the last six weeks at the Gulf research centre in Pennsylvania, the JWAE cars arrived with new cockpit and damper cooling ducts, improved dampers, larger front wheel bearings, wider wheels and wider bodywork.

The Ferrari of Andretti / Merzario took pole with Siffert / Redman second, Ahrens Jr. / Elford third (for Porsche Salzburg), the Ickx / Schetty Ferrari fourth and Rodriguez / Kinnunen fifth in 013.

Having won convincingly at Daytona, Sebring proved a disappointment for the Gulf squad. The JWAE cars both suffered wobbling uprights as a telegram from Porsche that called for the titanium retaining bolts to be replaced with steel ones had been missed. Multiple changes were required during the race and the problem eventually forced the Siffert / Redman entry to retire.

Siffert subsequently joined Rodriguez and Kinnunen in 013 and they finished fourth.

Victory went to the Ferrari of Ignazio Giunti, Nino Vaccarella and Mario Andretti. Steve McQueen and Peter Revson were second in the Solar Productions Porsche 908/02. Toine Hezemans / Masten Gregory finished third in a works Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3.

Chassis 013 was not raced again.

During the late spring / early summer of 1970 it was sold to Solar Productions for the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans. A number of Porsches, Ferraris and Lolas were purchased for the production, filming of which took place between June and November of 1970.

013 was modified early on to incorporate a detachable cameraman’s chair which was slung out behind the rear bodywork. It was also used for in-car footage.

On Saturday 19th September, chassis 013 was being driven by David Piper for a high speed scene that involved the 917 being chased by a Ferrari 512 S (driven by Mike Parkes).

Unfortunately, at the fast Maison Blanche kink, Piper lost control owing to a punctured rear tyre. Chassis 013 pinballed from one side of the track to the other, broke in two and mounted the barriers. The back end of the car came to a rest in a ditch with Piper still strapped in place. He broke his right leg in three places and two bones in his foot.

Piper had to have his right leg amputated below the knee as a result of contaminated cut that had been infected with brake fluid and other debris.

Piper never raced professionally again and chassis 013 was scrapped.

For carnet reasons, JWAE campaigned a new car (chassis 034) under the identity of 013 during the 1971 season.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing

01/02/1970 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen / J. Siffert) T-car (#T)
21/03/1970 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen / J. Siffert) 4th oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#15)

Sold to Solar Productions Inc., North Hollywood, USA, for the Steve McQueen film ‘Le Mans’

19/09/1970 wrecked in David Piper’s crash at Maison Blanche

A new car was built on chassis 034 which then raced throughout 1971 using the identity of chassis 013 for carnet reasons

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Gulf Racing Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 014

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<<<917 PORTAL / <<<917 K PORTAL
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HISTORY OF CHASSIS 014

Chassis 014 was one of the eight 917s used by the Gulf-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering operation during the 1970 season. Porsche had recruited Wyer’s team (JWAE) with a two-year deal to run works-supported 917s on their behalf.

014 made its debut appearance at the opening World Sportscar Championship race of the year: the Daytona 24 Hours which took place over the weekend of January 31st / February 1st.

Four 917s were entered for the race: two from Gulf, one from the factory-backed Salzburg squad and David Piper’s privateer example. The Gulf cars had Graviner automatic fire extinguishers and an additional window let into the roof for improved visibility on the banking. Both the Gulf and Salzburg cars were running four speed gearboxes.

014 was allocated to Jo Siffert and Brian Redman. It qualified second behind the Ferrari of Mario Andretti and Arturo Merzario. The sister Gulf car of Pedro Rodriguez / Leo Kinnunen lined up third.

The John Wyer team ultimately scored a memorable one-two finish at Daytona and smashed the distance record in the process. 014 finished in the runner’s up spot.

It next appeared three-and-a-half months later for round six of the championship: the Spa 1000km (May 17th).

JWAE arrived with two 4.9-litre-engined cars and 014 was once again allocated to Redman / Siffert. The Gulf team experimented with 12.5-inch wide front wheels in practice but struggled with tyre blowouts so reverted back to the 10.5-inch rims instead.

The sister car of Rodriguez / Kinnunen took pole with Siffert / Redman second in 014 and the Ickx / Surtees Ferrari third.

Although the Kinnunen / Rodriguez entry went out with a seized gearbox after 44 laps when lying second, Siffert and Redman claimed JWAE’s fifth win of the year. Ickx and Surtees were second in a Ferrari with the Salzburg 917 of Elford / Ahrens Jr. third.

Chassis 014’s final competitive appearances were made at Watkins Glen over the weekend of July 11th and 12th. A 6 Hour World Championship race took place on the Saturday followed by an 87 lap Can-Am event on the Sunday.

JWAE were on hand with a pair of Gulf-backed entries for Siffert / Redman (014) and a sister car for Rodriguez / Kinnunen. Both arrived with wider wheels and bodies plus the additional rear spoiler that had been used at Le Mans.

Siffert and Redman took pole with the Ferrari 512 S of Andretti / Giunti second and Rodriguez / Kinnunen third.

Team-mates Siffert and Rodriguez banged wheels in the opening stages but eventually took a commanding one-two for JWAE. It was Rodriguez / Kinnunen that emerged victorious with Siffert / Redman claiming second in 014.

The result meant Porsche won the 1970 World Championship with one event still to run.

The following day, round three of the Can-Am championship took place and, given the substantial prize fund on offer, it was no surprise that all the 917s in attendance were wheeled out despite being up against more-fancied Group 7 opposition.

Although in qualifying the Porsches were not able to match the outright speed of the works McLaren M8Ds (or many of the Group 7 cars for that matter), the 917s put on a very good show in the race. Having started twelfth, Siffert went on to finish second, 28 seconds behind Denny Hulme’s McLaren.

Chassis 014 was subsequently retired from competition duty.

For 1971, a new car was built on chassis 029 which used the identity of 014 for carnet reasons.

Precisely what happened to the original chassis from 014 is unknown...

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing

4.5-litre engine

01/02/1970 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (J. Siffert / B. Redman) 2nd oa, 2nd S class (#1)

4.9-litre engine

17/05/1970 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Siffert / B. Redman) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#24)
11/07/1970 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (J. Siffert / B. Redman) 2nd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#1)
12/07/1970 CAM Watkins Glen (J. Siffert) 2nd oa, 1st S5.0 class (#1)

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Gulf Racing / Weissach VIP Taxi Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 015

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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

VIN: the Gulf Racing Porsche 917 K chassis 034

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HISTORY OF CHASSIS 034

Chassis 034 was built up for use by the Gulf-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering crew that Porsche had brought on board to race the 917 on their behalf during 1970 and 1971.

For carnet reasons it was campaigned throughout 1971 under the identity of chassis 013.

The actual chassis 013 had been sold to Solar Productions for the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans. However, it was destroyed during filming in September 1970 following a nasty accident at Maison Blanche. The crash resulted in the driver, David Piper, losing his right leg below the knee.

Chassis 034 was raced five times during the 1971 season. It first appeared for round two of the World Sportscar Championship, the Daytona 24 Hours, where it was allocated to Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver. They qualified second behind the new Penske Racing Ferrari 512 M of Mark Donohue and David Hobbs.

Like the previous year’s race at Daytona, JWAE had a special banking window let into the roof of their cars. New lightweight body panels meant they were nearly down to the minimum weight limit of 800kg.

Owing to problems with all the other 917s at Daytona, only chassis 034 saw the chequered flag. After 24 hours of racing, Rodriguez / Oliver won by a single lap from the NART Ferrari 512 S of Ronnie Bucknum / Tony Adamowicz who were in turn followed home by the Penske 512 M of Donohue / Hobbs.

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034 next appeared at the Monza 1000km on April 25th (round five) where it used a four-speed gearbox and Porsche’s new finned rear bodywork with vertical stabilising fins. Rodriguez / Oliver were once again behind the wheel and on this occasion lined up fifth.

Despite having been eclipsed in qualifying, the race yielded a copybook victory for JWAE. Rodriguez and Oliver took the win and finished three laps ahead of runners up Jo Siffert / Derek Bell in the sister car. Alfa drivers Andrea de Adamich and Henri Pescarolo rounded out the podium.

034’s final World Sportscar Championship outing of the year came in the penultimate round of the series: the Zeltweg 1000km on June 27th. Pedro Rodriguez and Richard Attwood grabbed pole in 034 with a time just over half a second quicker than the works Ferrari 312 P of Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni. Attwood had been drafted into the Gulf squad after Jackie Oliver broke his contract to go Can-Am racing with Shadow.

Despite losing three laps with a flat battery when leading, Rodriguez / Attwood recovered to win by two laps from the Alfa 33/3s of Toine Hezemans / Nino Vaccarella and Rolf Stommelen / Nanni Galli.

JWAE subsequently ran 034 at two end-of-season non-championship events.

Derek Bell and Gijs van Lennep shared the car for the Barcelona 1000km at Montjuich Park on October 12th. Although the tight, twisty and undulating circuit was not ideal for big sports cars, they qualified third.

However, the track proved too much for the big 917’s brakes. Nevertheless, by dropping the pace, Bell and van Lennep eventually finished second, five laps down on the winning ex-JWAE Porsche 908/03 that had been sold to Fernandez brothers Jose and Juan.

Fittingly, after a dominant two years with the 917, JWAE bowed out with a win one week later at their final race for Porsche.

Bell / van Lennep started third and won the Paris 1000km at Montlhery by five laps from the pole-starting 917 Spyder of Gerard Larrousse / Leo Kinnunen.

Chassis 034 was subsequently returned to Porsche. In 1974 it was sold it to British solicitor, Mark Finburgh, who has retained it ever since.

Notable History

John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing

31/01/1971 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver) 1st oa, 1st S class (#2)
25/04/1971 WSC Monza 1000km (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#2)
27/06/1971 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (P. Rodriguez / R. Attwood) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#16)
12/10/1971 IND Barcelona 1000km, Montjuich Park (Bell / van Lennep) 2nd oa, 2nd S class (#24)
17/10/1971 IND Paris 1000km, Montlhery (D. Bell / G. van Lennep) 1st o, 1st Gr.5 class (#4)

1974 sold to Mark Finburgh, UK

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the works Porsche 917 K chassis 052

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HISTORY OF CHASSIS 052

Chassis 052 was the second of three short tail 917s built with an experimental magnesium chassis.

The magnesium chassis was created specially for 1971’s Le Mans 24 Hour race where Porsche would also be running a revised long tail 917 plus an ugly 917/20 that came to be nicknamed ‘the Pink Pig’.

The three magnesium chassis cars were numbered 051, 052 and 053. They followed the 917 Langheck series (040 to 045) and the 36 original 917 chassis (001 to 036).

The first mag chassis car, 051, was used to determine fatigue rates and was never seen in public. After 740km on Porsche’s rough road track at Weissach, it underwent the Long Distance Life Test and was scrapped.

052 was the plain white car that appeared at the Le Mans Test in April 1971. The Porsche crew also debuted the 917/20 that weekend and took along one of their reconfigured long tailed cars (chassis 043). On hand with a standard 917 K was the Gulf-backed John Wyer Automotive Engineering squad whom Porsche had brought on board to do most of the racing in 1970 and 1971.

Unsurprisingly, it was the revamped 917 L that set the fastest time. The Langheck had been conceived purely to suit the high speed characteristics of the Le Mans track and went round nearly five seconds quicker than chassis 052 which posted second quickest time.

Jo Siffert, Derek Bell and Jackie Oliver all got to drive 052 at the Le Mans Test. For comparison, they also piloted JWAE’s standard 917 K; the magnesium chassis proved to be good for around one second a lap compared to the original.

Following its appearance at la Sarthe, chassis 052 returned to Weissach for further testing.

After 1020km of running, it too fell victim to Porsche’s Long Distance Life Test, after which it was scrapped.

Notable History

Porsche System Engineering (appeared as a John Wyer Automotive Engineering entry)

White

18/04/1971 IND Le Mans Test (J. Siffert / D. Bell / J. Oliver) 2nd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#17)

Subject to Porsche’s Long Distance Life Test

Scrapped

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the works Martini Racing Porsche 917 K chassis 053

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HISTORY OF CHASSIS 053

Chassis 053 was one of three 917s built with an experimental magnesium chassis in 1971. This trio were the last Group 5 917s of any kind; all subsequent derivatives would be to Group 7 trim (for the likes of Can-Am and Interserie racing).

The three magnesium chassis cars were numbered 051, 052 and 053. They followed the 917 Langheck (040 to 045) and the 36 original 917 chassis (001 to 036).

051 was used to determine fatigue rates. After 740km on Porsche’s rough road track at Weissach it underwent the Long Distance Life Test and was subsequently scrapped.

052 appeared at the 1971 Le Mans Test weekend in April. The plain white car ran with factory personnel under a John Wyer Automotive Engineering entry. Alongside the Martini International squad, Wyer’s Gulf-backed crew were managing Porsche’s racing effort for 1970 and ‘71.

After the Le Mans Test, chassis 052 was scrapped with 1020km on the clock.

The last car, chassis 053, was the all bells-and-whistles example saved for the 1971 Le Mans 24 Hours.

It appeared at la Sarthe brand new and largely un-tested. The colour scheme was a stunning white Martini livery.

Once again, factory personnel were on-hand to oversee the operation, on this occasion alongside the Martini International Racing Team crew headed by Hans-Dieter Dechent.

053 was allocated to Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep. They qualified fastest of the Kurzheck 917s in fifth.

In first through third were a trio of 917 Langhecks (two from Gulf and one from Martini). Ahead of Marko / van Lennep was the Penske Ferrari 512 M in fourth.

After the first three hours, the top six cars were all on the same lap and Marko was fifth in 053.

Shortly before 10pm though, the car was delayed for ten minutes by a thrown alternator belt.

Nine hours in, Marko / van Lennep had recovered to fifth.

During the darkness of Sunday morning, a rash of trouble for the lead cars (three 917 Langhecks and a Matra), saw 053 moved up the leaderboard.

Shortly after mid-distance, Marko / van Lannep swept into lead, a position made more comfortable when one of the Langheck 917s moved into second at 7am.

When the much-delayed chasing Matra went out shortly before 10am, the Porsche drivers were told to not push.

Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep secured Porsche’s second Le Mans win on the bounce.

053 was immediately retired to the Porsche factory collection.

Notable History

Porsche System Engineering (Martini International Racing Team)

White with Martini stripes

13/06/1971 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (H. Marko / G. van Lennep) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#22)

Retained by Porsche

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com

VIN: the Alex Soler-Roig Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 018

<<<PORSCHE PORTAL
<<<917 PORTAL / <<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 018

Between 1969 and 1971, only a handful of Porsche 917s were sold to privateers.

Chassis 018 was one such car. It was acquired for the 1970 season by Alex Soler-Roig of Barcelona.

Soler-Roig was an experienced driver who had began his career in 1958 with a Porsche 356. The son of a wealthy Catalan surgeon, he went on to occasionally race and rally a variety of Porsches over the next few years.

Soler-Roig became more serious about motor sport in 1967 when a Porsche 906, a 910 and a 911 R were campaigned under the Escuderia Nacional banner. That year he most notably won the Madrid Grand Prix driving his Porsche 906.

For 1968, Soler-Roig added a Porsche 907 to the fleet and had his first outing at the Le Mans 24 Hours. A limited number of sports car outings were complemented by a series of Formula 2 races in a Lola T100.

A Porsche 908/02 was purchased for the 1969 season which turned out to be Soler-Roig’s busiest yet. He again won several races to include the Jarama 6 Hours for which he was partnered by Jochen Rindt.

In addition to his acquisition of chassis 018 for 1970, Soler-Roig’s impressive performances over the past couple of years saw him bag a drive for Alpina in the European Touring Car Championship. He also contested several Formula 1 races with a privateer Lotus 49C and 72C.

Soler-Roig won five of the six races he entered with the 917 in 1970 on his way to securing that year’s Spanish Sportscar Championship title.

In 1971, chassis 018 made its one and only appearance at international level. Soler-Roig was expected to drive the car in the Buenos Aires 1000km World Championship race with Carlos Reutemann. However, when Emerson Fittipaldi wrote off his Alfa Romeo 33/3 in practice, Soler-Roig stood down and Fittipaldi drove the Porsche with Reutemann instead.

Fittipaldi and Reutemann qualified eleventh. They retired approaching one third distance with clutch problems. Six laps earlier, Scuderia Ferrari driver, Ignazio Giunti, had been killed in a fiery accident involving the Matra of Jean-Pierre Beltoise.

Following the race in Argentina, chassis 018 was retired from active duty. Soler Roig instead concentrated on his F1 and ETCC commitments with March and Ford respectively.

He retired from racing at the end of 1972 to take over the family clinic.

Alex Soler-Roig retained his 917 until 1975 at which point it was sold to American Porsche collector, Chuck Stoddard of Ohio.

Stoddard has retained the car ever since.

Notable History

White

Sold to Alex Soler-Roig (Escuderia Nacional), Barcelona

01/03/1970 IND Jarama Copa Alfil (A. Soler-Roig) 1st oa, 1st Gr.5 class (#70)
22/03/1970 ESP Jarama (A. Soler-Roig) 1st oa (#1)
03/05/1970 ESP Jarama Trofeo Primavera (A. Soler-Roig) 1st oa, 1st Gr.5 class (#70)
31/05/1970 ESP Jarama Trofeo por Regiones (A. Soler-Roig) 1st oa (#81)
06/09/1970 ESP Alcaniz (A. Soler-Roig) 1st oa (#1)
18/10/1970 ESP Jarama (A. Soler-Roig) ran (#1)

10/01/1971 WSC Buenos Aires 1000km (E. Fittipaldi / C. Reutemann) DNF (#28)

1975 sold to Chuck Stoddard, Ohio

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed

VIN: the Gulf Racing Porsche 917 / 917 K chassis 016

<<<PORSCHE PORTAL
<<<917 PORTAL / <<<917 K PORTAL
<<<917 FOR SALE

HISTORY OF CHASSIS 016

Chassis 016 first appeared for the 917’s homologation inspection in April 21st 1969.

Like the majority of 917s present that day, 016 had only been loosely assembled. It was subsequently dismantled to be rebuilt properly at a later date.

016 did not race at all in 1969.

For the 1970 season, 016 was built up and dispatched to John Wyer’s Gulf-backed operation in England. Wyer had been brought on board to manage Porsche’s factory’s 917 programme for 1970 and 1971.

During the course of the 1970 season, chassis 016 appeared at five World Sportscar Championship events plus the Watkins Glen Can-Am race and the non-championship Imola 500km.

At the hands of Pedro Rodriguez, 016’s debut at the Brands Hatch 1000km went down in history as one of the most exciting races in history.

Rodriguez (co-driven by Leo Kinnunen) lined up seventh on the grid and the race got underway in torrential conditions. Rodriguez, who was a wet weather maestro, soon established himself at the head of the field, but a penalty for passing under yellow flags dropped him to fifth.

Undeterred, Rodriguez put on one of the most spellbinding driving displays ever to recover the lead and take victory.

At Monza two weeks later, Rodriguez / Kinnunen started fifth in 016. They took their second consecutive win in the World Sportscar Championship as most of the other 917s dropped out for one reason or another.

For Le Mans, John Wyer’s crew stuck with their trusty 917 Kurzhecks despite the availability of Porsche’s revamped Langheck variant.

Rodriguez / Kinnunen were once again paired together. They qualified fifth in 016 which, for this race, had been fitted with the latest 4.9-litre engine.

Unfortunately, the car ground to a halt at Arnage with a broken con rod after just 22 laps.

At the Watkins Glen 6 Hours, Rodriguez / Kinnunen qualified third and took the win from team-mates Siffert / Redman. This commanding victory secured Porsche the 1970 World Sportscar Championship with one round still to go.

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The day after the six hour race, Watkins Glen also played host to a big money Can-Am event. Rodriguez qualified tenth but retired from the race at one third distance with a broken gearbox.

Rodriguez also retired from the non-championship Imola 500km nine weeks later. He started second only to crash out while trying to avoid a spinning Chevron.

Chassis 016’s last race of 1970 was at the World Championship season finale: the Zeltweg 1000km.

On this occasion, Rodriguez / Kinnunen started from pole but 016 was forced out of the race after just five laps with broken exhaust valves.

In 1971, 016 principally served as a back-up car for the John Wyer team.

Its only competitive outings were at the Le Mans Test weekend where it posted third fastest time and at the Watkins Glen Can-Am race where Richard Attwood drove it to 13th overall having started from eleventh on the grid.

At the end of the 1971 season, 016 was returned to Porsche.

In 1975, it was sold to Floridian Porsche collector, Gerry Sutterfield, who retained it until 1996.

Notable History

Porsche System Engineering

21/04/1969 factory homologation presentation

John Wyer Automotive Engineering / Gulf Racing

4.5-litre engine

12/04/1970 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#10)
25/04/1970 WSC Monza 1000km (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#7)

4.9-litre engine

14/06/1970 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen) DNF engine (#21)
11/07/1970 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen) 1st oa, 1st S5.0 class (#2)
12/07/1970 CAM Watkins Glen (P. Rodriguez) DNF (#2)
13/09/1970 IND Imola 500km (P. Rodriguez) DNF (#2)
11/10/1970 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (P. Rodriguez / L. Kinnunen) DNF (#22)

31/01/1971 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver / J. Siffert / D. Bell) T-car (#T)
20/03/1971 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (J. Siffert) T-car (#T)
04/04/1971 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (D. Bell) T-car (#T)
18/04/1971 IND Le Mans Test (J. Oliver / J. Siffert / D. Bell) 3rd oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#18)
25/04/1971 WSC Monza 1000km (D. Bell / J. Oliver) T-car (#T)
09/05/1971 WSC Spa 1000km (P. Rodriguez / J. Oliver / J. Siffert / D. Bell) T-car (#T)
27/06/1971 WSC Zeltweg 1000km (D. Bell / R. Attwood / P. Rodriguez) T-car (#T)
24/07/1971 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (J. Siffert / G. van Lennep / D. Bell / R. Attwood) T-car (#T)
25/07/1971 CAM Watkins Glen (R. Attwood) 13th oa, 4th S5.0 class (#91)

Returned to Porsche

1975 sold to Gerry Sutterfield, Florida

1996 sold to Chris McAllister, Indianapolis

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com