1969 Porsche 917

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1969 Porsche 917

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Summary:

Used 1969 1,000 miles

Location:

Scotts Valley, CA

Description:

Click here to view high resolution photoshttps://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/7KK7xokr14 Chassis 917-005 - Rebuilt to Race Another DayQualified Pole Position by Joe Siffert at the 1969 Spa 1000km1969 Le Mans 24 Hours - Entered & Driven by John Woolfe (Accidenton Lap 1)4.5 Liter Flat-12 engine5-Speed Manual TransmissionStunning Longtail Configuration The Porsche 917, unveiled in 1969, stands as a testament toPorsche's commitment to innovation and excellence in motorsport.The 917 has etched its name in the annals of racing history. It wasthe first 917 to be raced as well as reaching pole position in itsfirst qualifier at the 1969 Circuit De Spa on May 11th, 1969,piloted by Joe Siffert. Its next official race would be shortlyafter at the 24 hours of Le Mans in June of 1969. This was thefirst 917 to be raced by Porsche, and it stirred attention from allover. Porsche's journey to create the 917 was marked by ambition andinnovation. While their earlier models, like the 904 Carrera GT,906, and 908 had succeeded, they often fell behind giants like theGT40 and Ferrari Prototypes. Porsche saw an opportunity with theintroduction of the 5-liter sports car class, known as Group 4.They embarked on a bold venture to build 25 examples of a 5-literprototype, aiming for the World Sports Car Championship. One of these was Porsche 917-005, a marvel of engineering. Drawinginspiration from the 908, Porsche engineers crafted a lightweightyet powerful race car. The chassis, made from aluminum instead ofsteel, weighed a mere 93 lbs. The car's design ensured the driverand the massive 4.5-liter flat-12 engine fit snugly within itscompact frame. Every aspect, from the double wishbone suspensionsystem to the titanium-made parts, was meticulously crafted foroptimal performance. 917-005 is more than just its technical specifications. It carriesa story-one of triumph, passion, and tragedy. British privateerJohn Woolfe was the first customer of this automotive marvel. JohnWoolfe was a successful British racing driver known for hisparticipation in various international and domestic racing eventssuch as the 24 hours of LeMans, 1000km of Nurburgring, andSilverstone. He was particularly noted for his skill andcompetitiveness in sports car racing. Woolfe had competed innumerous races leading up to Le Mans, showcasing his talent andpassion for motorsport. Woolfe dreamed of racing the Porsche 917 atthe 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, fate had other plans. Atragic accident during the race at LeMans claimed Woolfe's life onJune 14th, 1969, marking a somber chapter in the 917-005'shistory. The death of John Woolfe changed the rules of LeMans forever. Afterthe crash, the car was loaded onto a truck and shipped back toWeissach. From 1969 to the early 1980's, the car sat under a tarpin Weissach. The car remained the property of John Woolfe Racing.By the early 1980's, Porsche enthusiast and racing driver WilliKauhsen purchased a pair of accident damaged 956's and a largequantity of 917 spare parts, in which a lot of those parts werefrom John Woolfe's 917-005. By January of 2012, the rights to rebuild 917-005 were acquiredfrom David Riswick, the current owner of John Woolfe Racing, andprevious business partner of John Woolfe himself. It was thendecided that 917-005 needed to be rebuilt to honor John Woolfe'slife and legacy for what he meant to the world of racing, and inthe most authentic way possible. With the rights to the car in handand Norbert Singer as the head engineer of the project, along withWilli Kauhsen who had previous racing experience with Porsche 908'sand 917's, the rebuild had officially began. Over the next couple of years, team breathed new life into thememory of the 005, rebuilding the car to its original essence andglory. All sourced with factory Porsche parts from other 917's, aswell as rebuilt parts from Woolfe's 917 that Willi Kauhsen acquiredyears prior. Everything from a titanium frame to an originalwindshield that was from extra stock from the original windshieldmanufacturer, that sat on a shelf unused for 40 years. In doingthis, every part is truly authentic and to original specificationas it was from 1969. Today, the Porsche 917-005 stands as a symbol of the intertwinednature of motorsport-where innovation meets passion and wheredreams are pursued at the very edge of speed and skill. It servesas a poignant reminder of the stories and dreams carried by eachcar, echoing the spirit of those who dared to push boundaries. Beyond its racing accolades, the 917's cultural impact isundeniable, especially after its starring role in Steve McQueen'smovie, "Le Mans." This car wasn't just about speed; it symbolizedpower, engineering prowess, and a passion for racing. Standing today, this 917 holds a special and significant place inautomotive racing history. With every piece being looked over withmeticulous detail, 917-005 resembles the memorial of the one andonly John Woolfe, as well as preserving the history that this 917bestowed upon the world. Historical Timeline:4.21.1969 - FIA homologation presentation5.11.1969 - Spa 1000km, Qualified Pole Position, Driven by JoeSiffert5.13.1969 - Le Mans Preparation6.14.1969 - Le Mans 24h, Driven by Woolfe/Linge, DNF

Body Type:

Truck

Transmission:

Manual Transmission

Posted:

July 1 on Americanlisted