.: 1970 PORSCHE 917 - Amalfi Racing :.

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Mike Amalfitano's Race Car Collection

1970

The only important race the conquering three-liter 908’s did not win in 1969 was the most important one, LeMans. To improve the competitiveness of their cars for the future, Porsche decided in 1969 to move up to the five-liter formula for 1970. The 917 was designed and built by Hans Metzger and Helmut Flegl’s team in just 10 months.

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While the chassis and body were similar to those used on the 908’s (short-tail and long- tail coupes), the new flat 12-cylinder motor was a significant departure- although clearly based in the earlier six and eight-cylinder boxer motors. While the long-tail coupe did win races, it was the better handling short-tail 917K, which gave Porsche the greatest and most sought after victory in the 1970 running of LeMans. The 917’s won two World Championships in 1970 and 1971 and won 15 of 24 Championship events entered while the 908 won four more. In 1971, some 917’s were rebodied into Spyders for the Interseries where they continued to win races.

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This 917 was built as a short-tail coupe for the factory-supported Gulf-Wyer team. It won at Imola and Zeltweg in 1970 and ran LeMans in 1971. As was true for most of the Gulf-Wyer cars, it was wrecked and rebodied as chassis # 26. It was made into a Spyder for the Interseries. It carries a full factory restoration.

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This 917 has a 5374cc engine with 660 horsepower DIN at 1,610 pounds.

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