Porsche 917 - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive

Porsche 917K - 360° Interactive

Porsche 917K - Key Specifications

Porsche 917K Specifications

Specification	Details
Type	Group 5 Prototype Race Car
Released At	1969 (K version in 1970)
Built At	Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany
Engine	4.5–4.9L Flat-12 (Type 912)
Position	Mid-Engine, Longitudinal
Aspiration	Natural Aspiration
Block Material	Magnesium Alloy
Valvetrain	DOHC, 2 Valves per Cylinder
Fuel Feed	Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
Displacement	4494–4907 cc / 274–299 cu in
Power	580 hp / 432 kW @ 8400 rpm (4.9L)
Specific Output	118–129 hp per liter
Torque	539 Nm / 397 lb-ft @ 6400 rpm
Top Speed	354 km/h / 220 mph (low drag version)
0 – 60 mph	2.5 seconds
0 – 100 km/h	2.7 seconds
Body / Frame	Fiberglass Body over Aluminum Spaceframe
Driven Wheels	RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)
Wheel Type	Center-Lock Magnesium Alloy Racing Wheels
Front Tires	Goodyear Racing Slicks 11.5x15
Rear Tires	Goodyear Racing Slicks 15.0x15
Front Brakes	Ventilated Disc Brakes
Rear Brakes	Ventilated Disc Brakes
Front Wheels	15 x 11.5 in
Rear Wheels	15 x 15 in
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Dampers
Rear Suspension	Multi-Link with Coil Springs and Dampers
Curb Weight	800 kg / 1764 lbs
Weight Distribution	Front 42% / Rear 58% (approx.)
Wheelbase	2310 mm / 90.9 in
Length	4140 mm / 163.0 in
Width	1940 mm / 76.4 in
Height	940 mm / 37.0 in
Transmission	5-Speed Manual (Porsche Type 920)
Fuel Economy (Race)	65 L/100 km (est.)
Fuel Capacity	120 liters / 31.7 gallons

Some Interesting Porsche 917K Facts

Porsche’s First Overall Le Mans Winner The Porsche 917 secured Porsche’s first-ever overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, and repeated the feat in 1971, cementing its place in endurance racing history.

Developed to Dominate Group 5 Racing The 917 was created to compete in the FIA’s Group 5 Sports Car category, which required at least 25 production units for homologation — Porsche famously lined all 25 cars up to prove it.

Powered by a Flat-12 Engine The heart of the 917 was a 4.5 to 4.9-liter air-cooled flat-12 engine, producing up to 630+ horsepower in early versions — an engineering marvel of its time.

Later Versions Reached Over 1,100 HP In Can-Am racing, the 917 was developed into the 917/30 Spyder, with a turbocharged engine producing up to 1,580 hp in qualifying trim — making it one of the most powerful race cars ever built.

Capable of 240+ mph at Le Mans The 917’s long-tail “Langheck” versions could reach over 240 mph (386 km/h) on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans — an almost unheard-of speed in the early 1970s.

Infamously Difficult to Drive at First Early 917s were unstable at high speeds, with unpredictable aerodynamics. It wasn’t until the 917K (Kurzheck) was developed that the car became more controllable — and dominant.

Star of the Film Le Mans The 917 gained pop culture fame thanks to Steve McQueen’s 1971 film Le Mans, in which he drove a Gulf-liveried 917 — one of the most iconic liveries in motorsport.

Built with Lightweight Materials The 917’s chassis was constructed using aluminum tubing, and the entire car weighed just around 800 kg (1,760 lbs) — incredibly light for a car with that much power.

Variants Included Coupes, Spyders, and Long-Tail Versions Over time, the 917 evolved into various forms, including the 917K (short tail), 917L (long tail), 917PA (for Can-Am), and the monstrous 917/30.

Now One of the Most Valuable Race Cars in the World Original Porsche 917s are extremely rare and collectible, with well-documented examples fetching over $10–15 million at auctions — some even higher due to race wins or celebrity connections.

Porsche 917 Price

The Porsche 917 (1969–1973) is one of the most legendary and valuable racing cars ever built, famous for dominating Le Mans and revolutionizing sports car racing. With only ~65 units ever made, it's a multi-million-euro masterpiece.

Here's the latest market insight (mid-2024):

Current Value Estimate (EU & Global Market)

By Chassis & History:

Non-works/Privateer 917: €12M – €20M(Lesser-known race history, restored, or missing original parts.)

Works Team Car (Le Mans/WSC winner): €20M – €40M+(e.g., 917K chassis #027, #023, or 917LH #043.)

"Pink Pig" or "Gulf" Liveried Icons: €30M+(Documented race-winning provenance.)

Auction Records:

2017 (RM Sotheby’s): $14M (~€12M) for a 917K (chassis #024).

2023 Private Sales: Rumored €25M+ for a Le Mans-winning chassis.

Why Is It So Valuable?

✔ Rarity: Only ~65 total built (Kurzheck & Langheck versions). ✔ Dominance: Won Le Mans 1970–71, crushing Ferrari’s 512. ✔ Engineering Marvel: First Porsche to hit 240+ mph (386 km/h) at Le Mans. ✔ Cinematic Fame: Star of Steve McQueen’s "Le Mans" (1971). ✔ Blue-Chip Asset: Trades in the same league as Ferrari 250 GTOs.

Key Price Factors

Provenance: Works team cars (e.g., #917-023, 1970 Le Mans winner) command €10M+ premiums.

Originality: Matching-numbers Type 912 flat-12 engine is critical.

Race History: Le Mans/WSC podium cars are 2-3x more valuable.

Condition: Unrestored survivors > heavily restored examples.

Where to Buy?

High-End Auctions: RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Co. (though most trade privately).

Private Brokers: Girardo & Co., DK Engineering, Talacrest.

Porsche Museum Connections: Occasionally sources ultra-rare models.

Market Trend

Explosive Growth: Prices have 5x’d since 2010 (€5M → €25M+).

Future Outlook: As Porsche’s racing golden age gains prestige, the 917 is untouchable.