1970 Porsche 917 Explained

DPCcars

7 Mar 202010:04

Summary

TLDRThe Porsche 917, a German sports prototype race car, achieved Porsche's first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by a type 912 flat-12 engine ranging from 4.5 to 5 liters, the 917/30 variant boasted a 0-62 mph in 2.3 seconds and a top speed of 240 mph. Designed by Hans Metzger, it featured a lightweight spaceframe chassis and an air-cooled engine combining two flat-6 engines. The 917 K models were used for shorter tracks, while the long tail bodywork was developed for high-speed circuits like Le Mans. The 917 also participated in the Can-Am series and European Interseries, with a turbocharged version reaching 1100 bhp.

Takeaways

🏎️ The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by the German manufacturer Porsche.
🏁 The 917 achieved Porsche's first overall wins at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1970 and 1971.
🚀 The 917/30 variant could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 2.3 seconds and had a top speed of up to 240 mph.
🔧 It featured a lightweight spaceframe chassis, weighing only 93 pounds, and was pressurized to detect structural flaws.
💡 Chief engineer Hans Metzger designed the car, which was powered by a 4.5-liter air-cooled engine.
⚙️ The engine was an innovative combination of two 2.25-liter flat-6 engines, later enlarged to 4.9 and 5 liters for more power.
🌪️ The 917 K models were used for shorter road courses, while the long tail bodywork was developed for high-speed tracks like LeMans.
🔄 After aerodynamic issues, the 917 L was improved, resulting in a stable car capable of speeds up to 246 mph.
🐷 There was a unique 'Pink Pig' 917/20, an aerodynamic research version, showcasing Porsche's experimental side.
🌐 The 917 also participated in the European Interseries and the Can-Am series, with a turbocharged version, the 917/30, producing 1100 bhp.

Q & A

What is the Porsche 917?
-The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by the German manufacturer Porsche.
What significant achievement did the Porsche 917 accomplish in 1970 and 1971?
-The Porsche 917 gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1970 and 1971.
What engine type was used in the Porsche 917?
-The Porsche 917 was powered by the type 912 flat 12 engine, which came in sizes of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 liters.
What was the 0 to 62 miles per hour acceleration time of the 917/30 cannon variant?
-The 917/30 cannon variant was capable of a 0 to 62 miles per hour time of 2.3 seconds.
Who was the chief engineer responsible for the design of the Porsche 917?
-The car was designed by chief engineer Hans Metzger.
What was unique about the chassis of the Porsche 917?
-The Porsche 917 was built around a very light spaceframe chassis that weighed only 93 pounds and was permanently pressurized with gas to detect cracks in the welded structure.
What was the original engine size and power output of the Porsche 917 in 1969?
-The original 4.5-liter engine in the Porsche 917 produced around 520 bhp in 1969.
How was the engine size and power output of the Porsche 917 increased for later models?
-The engine was enlarged from 4.5 liters to 4.9 liters making 600 bhp and to 5 liters producing a maximum of 630 bhp.
Which variant of the Porsche 917 was used for shorter road courses?
-The 917 K models were generally used for shorter road courses such as Sebring, Brands Hatch, Musa, and Spa.
What special bodywork was developed for the Porsche 917 for the LeMond race?
-For the LeMond race, the factory developed special long tail bodywork designed for minimum drag and thus the highest maximum speed.
What was the top speed achieved by the definitive 917 L in 1971?
-The definitive 917 L achieved a top speed of up to 240 miles per hour in 1971.
What other aerodynamic research versions of the Porsche 917 were developed?
-Other aerodynamic research versions included the pink pig aerodynamic research version 917/20, the turbocharged 917/10, and the 917/30km spiders.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Porsche 917: A Racing Legend

The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by Porsche, achieving its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by a type 912 flat-12 engine ranging from 4.5 to 5 liters, the 917/30 variant boasted a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.3 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of up to 240 mph. The car's design, overseen by chief engineer Hans Metzger, featured a lightweight spaceframe chassis and a 4.5-liter air-cooled engine. The engine was later enlarged to 4.9 liters, producing 600 bhp, and to 5 liters, yielding 630 bhp. The 917 K models were used for shorter road courses, while the 917 L, with its long tail bodywork, was developed for high-speed tracks like Le Mans. The 917 also participated in the European Interseries and Can-Am series, with a turbocharged version, the 917/10, producing an astounding 1100 bhp.

06:34

🎵 The Sound of Speed

This paragraph is a brief interlude featuring music, likely used to create a dramatic or emotional effect in the video. It does not contain any spoken content or information about the Porsche 917 or any other topic.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Porsche 917

The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by the German manufacturer Porsche. It is a central theme of the video, highlighting its significance in Porsche's racing history. The 917 model played a crucial role in securing Porsche's first overall wins at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1970 and 1971. The script mentions various versions of the 917, emphasizing its versatility and performance in different racing conditions.

💡24 Hours of LeMans

The 24 Hours of LeMans is an annual endurance sports car race held in France. It is one of the most prestigious and challenging races in the world, and the Porsche 917's victories in 1970 and 1971 are highlighted in the script as significant achievements. These wins are indicative of the 917's performance capabilities and the engineering prowess of Porsche.

💡Type 912 Flat 12 Engine

The Type 912 Flat 12 Engine is a specific engine configuration used in the Porsche 917. It is a 12-cylinder engine with a flat layout, which means the cylinders are 'flattened' out in a way that they are positioned in two banks of six. The script mentions different engine sizes like 4.5, 4.9, or 5 liters, showcasing the evolution and tuning of the engine for various racing needs.

💡0 to 62 miles per hour

This term refers to the acceleration time it takes for a vehicle to go from a standstill to 62 miles per hour. The script mentions that the 917/30 variant could achieve this in 2.3 seconds, emphasizing the car's incredible acceleration and power. This metric is a common measure of a car's performance and is used in the script to highlight the 917's speed capabilities.

💡Spaceframe Chassis

A spaceframe chassis is a construction technique used in the automotive industry, particularly for racing cars, where a lattice of metal tubes forms a rigid, lightweight structure. The script notes that the 917's spaceframe chassis weighed only 93 pounds, contributing to the car's overall lightness and performance. This design allowed for a balance of strength and minimal weight, which is critical for high-speed racing.

💡Hans Metzger

Hans Metzger was the chief engineer at Porsche and played a pivotal role in the design of the 917. The script credits him with designing the car's engine and its construction around a lightweight chassis. His work is integral to the 917's legacy, showcasing the importance of engineering in achieving the car's remarkable performance.

💡Aerodynamic Lift

Aerodynamic lift is a phenomenon where an object's speed through the air causes an upward force, which can affect its stability. The script discusses how the 917 L initially generated aerodynamic lift at high speeds, making it uncontrollable. This was a challenge that Porsche addressed in subsequent model developments, leading to a more stable car capable of reaching high speeds without losing control.

💡Long Tail Bodywork

Long tail bodywork is a design feature used in racing cars to reduce drag and increase stability at high speeds. The script mentions that Porsche developed special long tail bodywork for the 917 L, which was crucial for achieving maximum speed on the long, high-speed straights of the LeMans circuit. This adaptation illustrates the importance of aerodynamics in high-performance racing.

💡Can-Am Series

The Can-Am Series was a sports car racing championship that took place in North America. The script references the Porsche 917's participation in the Can-Am Series, particularly in 1971 with the open-topped 917 PA spider. This series was known for its lack of restrictions on engine size and design, allowing for powerful and fast cars like the 917 to compete.

💡Turbocharged

Turbocharging is a method of increasing an engine's efficiency and power by using exhaust gases to drive a turbine that compresses more air into the engine. The script mentions a turbocharged version of the Porsche 917, the 917/10, which was part of Porsche's continuous development to enhance the car's performance. Turbocharging allowed the 917 to achieve even higher power outputs, as evidenced by the 1100 bhp mentioned in the script.

💡European Interseries

The European Interseries was a sports car racing championship that took place across Europe. The script notes that the Porsche 917 also competed in this series in various configurations, demonstrating the car's adaptability and competitiveness in different racing environments. This further underscores the 917's versatility and the breadth of its racing achievements.

Highlights

The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by Porsche.

The 917 achieved Porsche's first overall wins at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1970 and 1971.

The 917/30 cannon variant could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 2.3 seconds.

It could reach 0 to 124 mph in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of up to 240 mph.

The chassis was pressurized with gas to detect cracks in the welded structure.

The 4.5-liter air-cooled engine was a combination of two 2.25-liter flat-6 engines.

The engine was enlarged to 4.9 liters, producing 600 bhp, and to 5 liters for 630 bhp.

The 917 K models were used for shorter road courses like Sebring, Brands Hatch, and Spa.

Porsche developed special long tail bodywork for high-speed circuits like LeMond.

The 917 L was initially uncontrollable due to aerodynamic lift at high speeds.

For 1970, an improved version of the 917 L was developed for better control.

In 1971, the definitive 917 L was developed, achieving stability at speeds up to 246 mph.

Joseffer raced an open-topped 917 PA spider in the 1971 Can-Am series.

There was also a pink pig aerodynamic research version, the 917/20.

The turbocharged 917/10 and 917/30 models were part of Porsche's racing legacy.

In 1973, a turbocharged version of the Porsche 917 developed 1100 bhp.