The Porsche 917 was undoubtedly one of the most famous, most sensational racing cars of all time. The order to build this “weapon” was given in 1968 by Ferdinand Piëch, Porsche’s Head of Engineering and Motorsport at that time. The aim was to transform Porsche from a class winner into an overall winner.
The Porsche 917 won its first race, the Austrian 1000km, with Kurt Ahrens/Jo Siffert in 1968. Without any opponents, the 917 had maximum superiority in the World Championship in 1970 and 1971. Then that the FIA changed the rules. The Porsche 917 was no longer allowed to start. But before that happened, Piëch had already devised a miracle weapon: the Turbo-917 for the American Can-Am series.
The last stage in the 917’s growth was the 917/30 with its 12-cylinder engine enlarged to a capacity of 5.4 litres, which thanks to its turbocharger, delivered 1,100 hp (and reached 1,200 hp with a higher boost pressure). Porsche won all the races in the Can-Am series in 1973.
Porsche also presented this giant in the Interseries. The car involved was the Porsche 917/30 with chassis number 001 in the orange Jägermeister colours. First race ws in July 1973 in Hockenheim. Initially it was Porsche’s test car, but then it also experienced its racing premiere. At the wheel: Porsche works driver Vic Elford. And he won!
The year 1973 was the last time that Elford drove a 917: "We borrowed a 917/30 from the factory for the Interserie race in Hockenheim. I had never driven a turbo racing car before then, so I had to prove in tests at Weissach that I could drive a car like that. I actually broke the lap record there, and went on to win the race too. I just loved that car."
After that one race, the car went to the Weissberg-Felder Racing and driver Helmut Kelleners for the interserie race at Misano, with a third place and Hockenheim 2, fourth place.
In 1974, the car was owned by Herbert Muller and got a Martini Racing Team in the Interserie championship. He became the champion. For 1974, the sponsor became Vaillant and got a green painting. Again he got the title.
The car is now still in his Vaillant green livery. The car remains in the Porsche museum. Was to be admired in the 2023 and 2024 Goodwood meetings.
