Admittedly, not all the news that Porsche releases to the press is exciting. However, what caught my eye on this particular news note, was the display they are planning with regard to various Porsche exhibits. More specifically, on display (among other interesting Porsche cars) will be the 1971 Porsche 917 "short-tail" that won the '24 Hours of Le Mans" in 1971 and still holds the record to-date for both distance (5,335.313 km) and average speed (222.304 km/h). That's pretty impressive considering we're talking 37 + years.
For those of you not familiar with the 917, this is the model that basically put Porsche on the endurance racing road-map with wins at Le Mans in both 1970 and 1971. Of course, we can't forget the car was made even more famous by Steve McQueen in his epic racing story Le Mans
The Porsche Pink Pig
My favorite of all 917s, for no other reason than the name, is the 1971 917/20 otherwise known as the "Pink Pig". Click on the thumbnail to the left to see a larger version. The car got its name from the paint scheme that showcases the names of certain cuts of meat (written in German) similar to that of a butcher diagram.
I must say, were I going to be anywhere near Essen, Germany this looks like a great event with the chance to see some fantastic current and historic Porsche cars. If anyone happens to go, please send me some picture!!!! What event am I talking about? Read below for more information.
Porsche Press Release
Stuttgart. This year at the Techno-Classica in Essen, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, and its Classic Customer Centre will be giving visitors a glimpse behind the scenes. The company’s Classic department, which has its home on the main Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen site, will be on show from 27th to 30th March 2008 at the greatest vintage car fair in the world. Under the spotlight will be its product and service range in connection with repair, maintenance, care, restoration and the procurement of original spare parts for Classic Porsche models.
On the Porsche stand in Hall 3 the emphasis will be on detailed advice provided by Porsche's own restoration specialists. The experts will be happy to answer visitors’ questions – ranging from the availability of spare parts for Porsche Classic models to the maintenance and servicing of historic vehicles. Porsche drivers who enjoy working on their Classic vehicles themselves will also be well served: there will be a large range of literature available on the stand, from owners' manuals through parts catalogues and CDs to repair instructions. In addition, the ‘living workshop’, in which Porsche specialists will be demonstrating their skills to enthusiasts and experts alike, will give visitors a chance to see original works’ restoration.
As well as the Classic Customer Centre, the approximate 800 square metres of exhibition space will house eight Porsche clubs displaying various privately-owned vehicles. Collectors and souvenir hunters will be able to view the current product range from the ‘Porsche Design Driver’s Selection’.
Porsche lovers will particularly relish the various exhibits on display: for example, a current 911 Turbo from Porsche Exclusive is shown side by side with another 911 Turbo dating from 1974, privately-owned by Ferry Porsche. The top attraction for motorsport fans will definitely be the vehicle which won the 1971 ‘24 Hours of Le Mans’. The Porsche 917 short-tail, racing as 22, set the standard as a light-construction prototype with a special magnesium lattice-tube frame. Driven by Dr. Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep, the vehicle won Porsche the second of a current total of 16 victories at Le Mans and set the still unbeaten records for distance (5,335.313 km) and average speed (222.304 km/h).
Related Posts
Porsche 917, The Best Race Car of All Time
History of the Porsche 917 Part II
Video History of Porsche Racing: History of the Porsche 917 Part III
New Porsche Museum to Open On-Time
[Source: Porsche, Wikipedia]
I can’t believe I’ve just come back from Germany in time to miss that! After losing the Nurburgring to snow!
@Sam,
Glad you’re back in one piece. did you get to drive the Nurburgring at all? Looking forward to some new posts.
We had the same thoughts, a show not to miss!
@oneighturbo,
Welcome to the board. Are you planning on attending?
oh no we are in the U.S as well but to behold these beauties in person!!!
I finally went to the Rennsport Reunion III held at the Daytona International Speedway this past November. The reason I went, other than the fact that 600+ race Porsches were supposed to have turned out at the previous event, was the fact that the 917s & 956s were to be the featured models. It was Porsche heaven! I had seen the 917s running around Laguna Seca during Porsche’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 1998 but that didn’t come close to seeing and hearing them running at full song on the straight away and on the banked turns of Daytona. You can be sure that I won’t be missing the next event .
I’m with you on that. I’ve had the good fortune of getting to know Sam Cabiglio (Jerry Seinfeld’s “car guy”) over the last couple of months. Sam was the one that drove Jerry’s 917 down at Rennsport (as Jerry couldn’t make it do to a scheduling conflict).
I’m about 6’3″ 265lbs. Not sure I would fit into a 917, but I would love to try!
I am particularly fascinated by the stillborn 16 cylinder variant. Does anyone know of any testing photos or specifications?
@Glen,
Let me see what I can find out for you. What I do know is that I believe they only made one (1) unit as a test bed. The 16 cylinder produced 850 hp (very impressive.) The problem was that a turbo-charged 12 cylinder could produce 750 hp and they very quickly had it making 850 hp. The other issue with the 16 cylinder was that in order to fit into the 917, the chassis had to be lengthened. Given the handling problems already seen by the earlier 917s, no one wanted anything to do with the 16 cylinder. I don’t have any pictures, but I can see if I can get you some.