Short description
The story of the Porsche's development of the 917 is a rich account of how a small but dedicated band of engineers undertook to produce a race car that went on to set records that to this day have not been bettered. Designed to win the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours race, Porsche finally stepped into the big time of international auto racing with its Type 917 in 1969. Its phenomenal air-cooled flat-12 engine powered the 917 to 15 wins in world sports-car championship races from 1969 to 1971 including two wins at Le Mans in 1970 and 71, after which it was outlawed by a rules change. First built in a series of 25 coupes that Volkswagen chief Ferdinand Piech called the biggest risk he's ever taken in business, the 917 was raced in both short- and long-tailed forms. Today the Porsche 917 is recognized as the car that ended Porsche's underdog status in international motor sport.
Long description
Active between 1969 and 1973, the Porsche 917 was an iconic racing car that won numerous sports car races, including two victories in the famous Le Mans 24 Hours. The diversity and sheer accomplishment of its track career is the focus of this extensive and highly visual study, published on the 40th anniversary of the 917's race debut. Produced in a large format and containing more than 800 photographs from many key sources, including the Porsche archive itself, along with the author's detailed and meticulously researched text, this is essential reading for all sports car racing enthusiasts.