Porsche 917

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Porsche 917
Porsche 917K in the distinctive Gulf Oil livery at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Overview
Manufacturer	Porsche AG
Production	1969–1970 (917) 25 built 1970–1971 (917 K) 12 built[1]
Assembly	Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, West Germany
Designer	Helmuth Bott (chassis) Hans Mezger (engine)
Body and chassis
Class	Racing car
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Platform	Porsche 908
Doors	Dihedral doors
Related	Porsche 917 K Porsche 917 PA Porsche 917 L Porsche 917 LH Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder Porsche 917/10 Porsche 917/20 Porsche 917/30
Powertrain
Engine	4.5 L Type 912 Flat-12 4.9 L Type 912 Flat-12 5.0 L Type 912 Flat-12
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,300 mm (90.6 in)[1]
Length	4,780 mm (188.2 in)[1] 4,120 mm (162.2 in) (917 K)
Width	2,033 mm (80.0 in)[1] 1,980 mm (78.0 in) (917 K)
Height	920 mm (36.2 in)[1] 940 mm (37.0 in) (917 K)
Kerb weight	820 kg (1,808 lb)[1]
Chronology
Predecessor	Porsche 907
Successor	Porsche 936

Porsche 917 40th Anniversary

Eleven 917s pull away at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009

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The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by German manufacturer Porsche to exploit the regulations regarding the construction of 5-litre sports cars. Powered by a Type 912 flat-12 engine which was progressively enlarged from 4.5 to 5.0 litres, the 917 was introduced in 1969 and initially proved unwieldy on the race track but continuous development improved the handling and it went on to dominate sports-car racing in 1970 and 1971. In 1970 it gave Porsche its first overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a feat it would repeat in 1971. It would be chiefly responsible for Porsche winning the International Championship for Makes in 1970 and 1971. Porsche went on to develop the 917 for Can-Am racing, culminating in the twin-turbocharged 917/30 which was even more dominant in the role. Porsche drivers would win the Can-Am championship in 1972 and 1973. 917 drivers also won the Interserie championship every year from 1969 to 1975.