1970 Porsche 917K

917K image

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The Porsche 917K 1970 is a legendary racing car that has captured the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts everywhere. With its sleek design and impressive performance capabilities, it's no surprise that this vehicle is considered one of the greatest sports cars of all time.

At the heart of the Porsche 917K 1970 is a powerful 4.5-liter air-cooled, flat-12 engine. This incredible powerplant delivers a whopping 600 horsepower, which can propel the vehicle from 0-60mph in just 2.3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 240mph – truly spectacular figures for a machine from the early 1970s.

The power from the engine is channeled to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, which provides an incredibly responsive and precise gearshift experience. The suspension of the car is a double-wishbone setup with coil springs and anti-roll bars, while the steering is hydraulic and provides excellent feedback to the driver.

The car's bodywork is made from lightweight materials, including fiberglass, and incorporates a remarkably aerodynamic design. This feature contributes to the car's exceptional speed and handling, as well as reducing air resistance and increasing efficiency. The 917K version of the model had a shorter tail section, which further improved aerodynamics and gave the car its distinctive "ducktail" rear spoiler.

Despite its impressive performance capabilities, the Porsche 917K 1970 remains a challenging car to drive, even for experienced racing drivers. This is due to its incredibly sensitive, high-speed handling characteristics. However, for those who can master its quirks and nuances, the 917K is a dream machine, offering a visceral and thrilling driving experience unlike any other.

Overall, the Porsche 917K 1970 is an exceptional vehicle that has rightfully earned its place in the annals of motorsport history. With its cutting-edge technical specifications, aerodynamic design, and unrivaled performance capabilities, it's no wonder that this machine is still revered by automotive enthusiasts to this day.

Milestones

- 1969: Development and testing of the Porsche 917 begins - 1970: Porsche enters the 917 in the 24 Hours of Daytona for the first time - April 1970: Porsche unveils the 917K at the Geneva Motor Show - June 1970: Porsche wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a 917K driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood - August 1970: Porsche 917K makes its North American debut at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix - September 1970: Porsche wins the Nürburgring 1000 km with a 917K driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Leo Kinnunen - October 1970: Porsche wins the Brands Hatch 1000 km with a 917K driven by Rodriguez and Kinnunen - November 1970: Porsche wins the Austrian 1000 km with a 917K driven by Rodriguez and Kinnunen - December 1970: The Porsche 917K is named "Sports Car of the Year" by Road & Track magazine.


Technical

- Engine: air-cooled 4.5-liter Flat-12 - Horsepower: 600-630 hp - Top speed: over 220 mph - Transmission: 5-speed manual - Weight: 800 kg (1763 lb) - Chassis: Aluminum tube frame with fiberglass body - Suspension: Independent suspension with double wishbones - Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes with twin-piston calipers - Tires: front 10 x 15, rear 14.5 x 15 - Fuel tank capacity: 120 liters (31.7 US gal) - Wheelbase: 2,310 mm (90.9 in) - Length: 4,400 mm (173.2 in) - Width: 2,200 mm (86.6 in) - Height: 1,020 mm (40.2 in) - Driver's seat position: Center - Produced: 1969-1971 - Total produced: 59 (incl. 917 LH and 917 PA variants)

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