In 1968 the FIA changed the rules for street cars allowing 5 liter engines on the roads. This was a huge jump from the previous 3 liter restriction. Porsche was quick to take advantage of this change working on two new sports car prototypes.
Porsche had great success with the 904, 907, and 908 on the race track. The 917 was built in an impressive 10 months and it had the type 912 flat 12 engine in a variety of displacements ranging from a 4.5 right up to a 5.4 liter engine.
It had independent front suspension controlled by a unequal control arms with coil springs over tubular shocks. It also has independent rear suspension with unequal control arms and radius rods with coil springs over tubular shocks.
The 917 also had four wheel disc brakes and a 5 speed manual transmission with an aluminum tube space. All models were right hand drive with a variety of different body configurations.
The 917 was finally displayed to the public at the Geneva Auto Show in 1969. In 1970 a partnership arrangement was reached with John Wyer and Gulf Team Wyer and the L series was introduced.
1971 saw the 917L become more stable. In fact there were now three L's entered on the race track winning 8 out of 11 rounds of the Manufacturer World Championship. Once again Porsche was proving its ability on the race track.
The 917-10 entered the line up built specifically for the American CanAm Group 7 race. It was even lighter in weight and it had a larger fuel tank that gave it a 200 mile range. The first season it didn't do nearly as well as they had anticipated.
1972 saw Donohue and Follmer driving the Porsche in this seasons races. Donohue was unable to complete the season because of an accident but Follmer did and he captured the championship.
In 1973 the 917-30 came to market with its twin turbo chargers and 5.4 liter 12 cylinder engine. It could produce between 1100 and 1500 horsepower. This was a car that could go from zero to sixty in 2.1 seconds with a top speed of 238 mph. This was a car available only to Mark Donohue the Team Penske driver. And it was a winner taking home the championship at the Can Am series.
In 1974 it was banned from the Can Am series. Can Am stands for Canadian American Challenge Cup. It was a race that went from 1966 to 1974.
The basic 917 was beaten by many lighter cars like the Alfa Romeo or Ferrari. But on the track the 917/10, 917/20 and 917/30 really did dominated the racing circuit and they simply were unbeatable. Don't believe it have a look at the records.
Over a thousand horsepower plus with the backing of a company that had years of racing experience, combined with some of the best race car drivers on the track and you can see where you certainly have a formula for success.
The Porsche 917-30 was a mid engine mount with rear wheel drive and in 2.1 seconds it could take you from zero to 60 mph with a top speed of 238 mph. If that wasn't enough power to impress then what is?
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