Planet 9

**Santa Fe** · #1 03-09-2009, 09:10 AM

"Stuttgart. Forty years ago on March 13, 1969 at the Geneva International Motor Show, today’s Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche unveiled a car that, even by today’s standards, is underestimated when it is described as the “super sports car”: The Porsche 917. It became a legend as ..." more @ 40 YEARS OF THE PORSCHE 917 - German Car Scene

**bwass24** · #2 03-09-2009, 03:19 PM

Thank you for the interesting link. I've always had great interest in the 917

**busman** · #3 03-09-2009, 06:28 PM

A good time to break out the Le Mans DVD.

**engnr1** · #4 03-09-2009, 06:57 PM

Interesting article, and always cool to see one of the not-too-distant mid-engine progenitors of the Cayman....

**Captain Happy** · #5 03-09-2009, 07:33 PM

I'm thinking at least one of the 917 variants will be at the Monterey Historics. That should be worth the price of admission.

Craig

alexwierhouston · #6 03-09-2009, 07:57 PM

I've always loved those 917's! What a phenominal race car that made it's mark in the history books - so much so that they were banned after winning so many races and no one could keep up with them.

zedcat · #7 03-12-2009, 02:44 AM

1970 Le mans

BGLeduc · #8 03-12-2009, 02:12 PM

Great stuff there, Santa Fe.

The short tail 917, in Gulf colors, is without a doubt my #1 favorite race car ever. Period. Bar none.

I actually have the Steve McQueen poster of the #20 in my office, and its an original, given out at Gulf stations to coincide with the release of the film "Le Mans".

I regret not having gone to Rennsport Reunion last year. A few local PCA friends went, and the photos they brought back were stunning. It appeared that almost every 917 on the planet was there, including the #20. I would have probably stood there crying like an idiot to be able to walk up to and actually touch that car.

Brian

kehr · #9 03-12-2009, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by BGLeduc

The short tail 917, in Gulf colors, is without a doubt my #1 favorite race car ever. Period. Bar none.

I actually have the Steve McQueen poster of the #20 in my office, and its an original, given out at Gulf stations to coincide with the release of the film "Le Mans".

I can beat that. When I was a kid I would ride my bike to the theatre and watch "Le Mans" 2 or 3 times back to back.

I also rode my bike to the Gulf station in our neighborhood and the guy gave me an entire box of those posters. I went home and covered one whole wall in my room!

No doubt about it. The 917 is the car of all cars and, in my case, ignited the Porsche passion!

BGLeduc · #10 03-12-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by kehr

I can beat that. When I was a kid I would ride my bike to the theatre and watch "Le Mans" 2 or 3 times back to back.

I also rode my bike to the Gulf station in our neighborhood and the guy gave me an entire box of those posters. I went home and covered one whole wall in my room!

No doubt about it. The 917 is the car of all cars and, in my case, ignited the Porsche passion!

Yup... you do have me beat!

In fact, my dad took me to see it at the drive in, and I fell right asleep.... don't really remember any of it other than I was there.

But you are right as far as the "igniting the Porsche passion" stuff!

Do you still have an AFX HO slot car 917 in Gulf colors?? I do! Although any decals that may have been on it are long gone. I will post a pic when I get around to it.

Brian

EDIT: Hopefully these will be viewable.

**Ed Merry** · #11 03-20-2009, 05:56 PM

My favorite was the interview with Derek Bell on the 917. Apparently it had very poor visibility out the rear, which Derek says "Was no problem becasue you were always leading."

My very first road race was standing at turn 1 at Road Atlanta when George Follner in a 917/10 out dragged everyone into the corner. I've been hooked ever sense. Ed