The mighty 1970 Porsche 917K

The Once and Still Undisputed Champ.

Arguably one of the most iconic race cars in the history of motorsport, the Porsche 917’s conception stemmed from an unexpected change to Commission Sportive Internationale in its sanctioning rules when it announced a new Group 4 sports car series that allowed engine displacements of up to 5.0 litres, but required at least 25 units be produced for homologation. Despite the FIA’s doubts, Porsche presented the FIA with 25 units just three weeks after the 917’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1969.

The 917K did not have to wait long for success. On its racing debut at the 1970 Daytona 24 Hours, John Wyer’s Gulf-sponsored team finished 1-2 in the race, with the winning car breaking the distance record by 190 miles. Porsche’s first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans soon followed, a momentous occasion for the German marque, but only one of many more to follow. The wins that year came quickly and, in total, the 917K’s first full year of competition would bring seven major victories. 1971 was no different, with six major victories topped by another overall win at Le Mans. Later that year, development of the Can-Am version would start, a car so dominant that the series lost popularity in the United States, never to return.

Today, the 917K is revered as one of the most iconic race cars of all time. It was the car that brought Porsche its first overall victory at the world’s most gruelling race, and the car that would go on to set one of the most impressive records of dominance in prototype racing series the world has ever seen. If its racing achievements alone were not enough, the car would go on to be immortalized on the big screen by Steve McQueen in the film ‘Le Mans’. ~ The Amalgam Collection (edited)

Shadow and Light—Porsche 917K from $359