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Topic starter
20/09/2023 5:23 pm
Three of these Porsche 917 outfitted with the long tailed bodies (LH-71) were geared up for the 1971 Le Mans 24 hours. These 240 mph rockets were propelled by an upgraded 4.9 liter flat 12 pushing 591 hp. The aim for a 240+ km lap speed average was achieved, but unfortunately the engines couldn't last the whole race.
The 917K was the first AUTOart I ever bought. It was the Steve McQueen in Gulf livery and when the LH-71 was released in similar livery, I had to have the pair. For their age, they are very nice models. At the time, Aa sold as mid range models and had a real bang for the buck. I also purchased the psychedelic liveries model and it's still in the box.
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20/09/2023 6:42 pm
Forgive my ignorance, I don't collect these types of models, I don't follow these race circuits...cool looking cars for sure, but not my cup of tea. Therefore, here are my stupid questions:
I realize there must be stipulations to mandate spares, but honestly, are they ever actually used? Do these spares ever touch pavement?
Marty Johnson reacted
Topic starter
20/09/2023 7:10 pm
@chris Years ago, all cars had to have a spare and a boot of sorts even if it was only big enough for a quart of milk. It, along with homologation rules gave the illusion that these were merely passenger cars. In the era of Cobra Daytonas, GT40s, Ferraris and Porsche racers, they all had the obligatory spare tires and the driver would be out of his mind to get out and change a flat in the middle of a 180 mph field which is why they never come with jacks and stands.
20/09/2023 10:25 pm
Psychedelic one still in the box, eh? Let me know if you don't want it. 
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Christopher Moroni reacted
21/09/2023 12:34 am
@chris - Not only were the sports car rules mandated to have spare tires, but also a passenger seat and a specified square footage of trunk (boot) space. Hence, the dual aluminum boxes on the Ford GT40.
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This post was modified 3 years ago by Marty Johnson
David Green and Christopher Moroni reacted
21/09/2023 8:16 am
@marty-johnson .....well, that solves that mystery. I really didn't know those were used as trunk space. 🤔 🤨 Thanks.
David Green and Marty Johnson reacted
21/09/2023 10:28 am
I'm a big fan of the 917 in general, in all its various forms. The Longtails are my favorite though. I have the '70 Hippie & the '71 Gulf, which strangely enough are the same chassis number. It was rebodied for '71. It has since been rebodied back to the '70 body & is at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia.
My visit to the Simeone in 2016.
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21/09/2023 3:33 pm
Amazing details on all of them and the colors are real standouts. About as aerodynamic as one could get !
Steve Jacobs reacted