Porsche Brings out Five 917s to Celebrate Milestone

Iconic Event, Iconic Cars

The various events at Goodwood have garnered a reputation for attracting the most legendary names in motorsports over the years. And this year's 77th annual Member's Meeting turned out to be a real tour de force. For the Spring event, Porsche chose to bring out five examples of perhaps its most iconic race car ever - the 917. 

Rare Sight

This special gathering certainly isn't something you see every day, or perhaps ever. But here they were, a fine gathering of Porsche 917s, ranging from the very first one built to the very last. 

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Perfect Setting

The famous Sussex circuit in Southeast England was perhaps the perfect setting for these vintage racers. It's the perfect period backdrop and unmodernized circuit to recall the drama and potency of these iconic racers. 

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First Laps

The Member's Meeting was also notably the first time Chassis 917-001 has seen a race track since its total restoration was completed. Despite undergoing a series of changes over the years, Porsche was able to return the car to its correct, original 1969 condition.   

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Back to Original

Today, 917 #1 wears the same traditional racing white with the green nose as all 25 of Porsche's original homologation cars. Not to mention the rather modestly sized tires as those very first cars, too.  

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Famous Livery

Joining that historically significant car was the John Wyer Automotive Kurzheck or short tail, a car finished in the iconic Gulf livery. These were the cars made famous by their domination of the World Sportscar Championships in the early '70s. 

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Back Home

And of course, no meeting of 917s would be complete without the legendary Sunoco 917/30. Armed with the most powerful engine Porsche has ever produced, this particular 917 was right at home with Mark Webber behind the wheel. 

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Legendary Lineup

This conglomerate of motorsports history linked up once again at Goodwood, hitting the track for a memorable demo run. And the long list of drivers who Porsche brought in for this special event was equally legendary. 

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Star-Studded Cast

The large group of Porsche drivers included such names as Vic Elford, Derek Bell, Richard Attwood, Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and as previously mentioned, Mark Webber.  

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Golden Era

The sound of those five air-cooled flat 12-cylinder engines firing up side-by-side is something no one will ever forget. Nor will they ever forget the sight of five of the greatest cars in motorsports history once again representing the golden era of racing that may never again be duplicated by anyone.

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