None Porsche 917

917 image

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The Porsche 917 is an iconic race car that dominated the Le Mans circuit in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This mid-engine sports car was designed and built specifically for endurance racing and was considered one of the most powerful and agile cars of its time. Let's take a closer look at the technical specifications of this legendary machine.

The 917's bodywork was designed with aerodynamics in mind. The car sat low to the ground and had a sleek, aerodynamic shape. The entire body was made of lightweight materials, including aluminum and fiberglass, which helped to reduce the car's overall weight. The car was 4.2 meters long, 1.98 meters wide, and only 91 centimeters tall from the ground to the top of the roof.

The heart of the 917 was its engine, which was available in various configurations throughout its racing career. The initial engine used was a 4.5-liter, air-cooled flat-12 engine that produced up to 580 horsepower. This allowed the car to achieve speeds of over 240 miles per hour. Later versions of the engine were turbocharged, which increased power output to over 1,000 horsepower.

The transmission of the 917 was a five-speed manual gearbox with a dry-sump lubrication system. This system ensured that the car's engine and transmission remained properly lubricated during high-speed racing conditions. The car also featured four-wheel disc brakes, which were considered state-of-the-art at the time of its production.

The suspension system of the 917 was designed to be lightweight and responsive. The car featured a fully independent suspension on all four wheels, which allowed for superior traction and handling. The suspension system also included adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, which allowed drivers to fine-tune the car's handling based on the track they were racing on.

One of the most significant features of the 917 was its innovative chassis design. The car featured a tubular space frame made of light and strong aluminum alloy. The frame was designed using advanced engineering techniques to ensure maximum stiffness, strength, and weight savings.

Overall, the Porsche 917 was an engineering marvel that set new standards for performance and technology in endurance racing. It was a true icon of its time and remains one of the most successful race cars in history. Its development and racing career helped to pave the way for many of the high-performance sports cars we see on the roads today.

Milestones

- The Porsche 917 was introduced to the public in 1969. - It was built with a lightweight aluminum alloy chassis and fiberglass bodywork. - The first version, the 917K, was powered by a 4.5-liter flat-12 engine that produced 520 horsepower. - Porsche achieved its first victory with the 917 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, with drivers Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood behind the wheel. - The 917 became notorious for its instability and tendency to spin out at high speeds, leading to several crashes and fatalities in the early days of its competition. - Porsche continued to refine and improve the 917 over the years, eventually winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, 1971, and 1972. - In its final iteration, the 917/30 Can-Am, the car was powered by a 5.4-liter turbocharged engine that produced up to 1,100 horsepower. - The 917 is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and successful race cars of all time, paving the way for Porsche's dominance in endurance racing throughout the 1970s and beyond.


Technical

- Produced by Porsche from 1969-1973 - Designed for endurance racing, specifically the 24 Hours of Le Mans - Powered by a flat-12 engine, producing up to 620 horsepower - Featured an aluminum space frame and fiberglass bodywork - Utilized advanced aerodynamics, including a large rear wing and a low, sleek profile - Available in several different variations, including long-tail (K) and short-tail (LH) - Won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971 - Driven by some of the greatest racing drivers of all time, including Jackie Ickx and Steve McQueen - Considered one of the most iconic race cars of all time - Continues to be celebrated and coveted by collectors and racing enthusiasts alike.

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