Vehicle Description
Click here to view high resolution photos
https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/7KK7xokr14
Chassis 917-005 - Rebuilt to Race Another Day
Qualified Pole Position by Joe Siffert at the 1969 Spa 1000km
1969 Le Mans 24 Hours - Entered & Driven by John Woolfe (Accident
on Lap 1)
4.5 Liter Flat-12 engine
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Stunning Longtail Configuration
The Porsche 917, unveiled in 1969, stands as a testament to
Porsche's commitment to innovation and excellence in motorsport.
The 917 has etched its name in the annals of racing history. It was
the first 917 to be raced as well as reaching pole position in its
first qualifier at the 1969 Circuit De Spa on May 11th, 1969,
piloted by Joe Siffert. Its next official race would be shortly
after at the 24 hours of Le Mans in June of 1969. This was the
first 917 to be raced by Porsche, and it stirred attention from all
over.
Porsche's journey to create the 917 was marked by ambition and
innovation. While their earlier models, like the 904 Carrera GT,
906, and 908 had succeeded, they often fell behind giants like the
GT40 and Ferrari Prototypes. Porsche saw an opportunity with the
introduction of the 5-liter sports car class, known as Group 4.
They embarked on a bold venture to build 25 examples of a 5-liter
prototype, aiming for the World Sports Car Championship.
One of these was Porsche 917-005, a marvel of engineering. Drawing
inspiration from the 908, Porsche engineers crafted a lightweight
yet powerful race car. The chassis, made from aluminum instead of
steel, weighed a mere 93 lbs. The car's design ensured the driver
and the massive 4.5-liter flat-12 engine fit snugly within its
compact frame. Every aspect, from the double wishbone suspension
system to the titanium-made parts, was meticulously crafted for
optimal performance.
917-005 is more than just its technical specifications. It carries
a story-one of triumph, passion, and tragedy. British privateer
John Woolfe was the first customer of this automotive marvel. John
Woolfe was a successful British racing driver known for his
participation in various international and domestic racing events
such as the 24 hours of LeMans, 1000km of Nurburgring, and
Silverstone. He was particularly noted for his skill and
competitiveness in sports car racing. Woolfe had competed in
numerous races leading up to Le Mans, showcasing his talent and
passion for motorsport. Woolfe dreamed of racing the Porsche 917 at
the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, fate had other plans. A
tragic accident during the race at LeMans claimed Woolfe's life on
June 14th, 1969, marking a somber chapter in the 917-005's
history.
The death of John Woolfe changed the rules of LeMans forever. After
the crash, the car was loaded onto a truck and shipped back to
Weissach. From 1969 to the early 1980's, the car sat under a tarp
in Weissach. The damaged car was taken apart and the frame was
thrown away before 1982. The car remained the property of John
Woolfe Racing. By the early 1980's, Porsche enthusiast and racing
driver Willi Kauhsen purchased a large quantity of 917 spare parts,
in which a lot of those parts were from John Woolfe's 917-005.
By January of 2012, the rights to rebuild 917-005 were acquired
from David Riswick, the current owner of John Woolfe Racing, and
previous business partner of John Woolfe himself. It was then
decided that 917-005 would be rebuilt to honor John Woolfe's life
and legacy for what he meant to the world of racing. With the
rights to the car in hand and Norbert Singer as the head engineer
of the project, along with Willi Kauhsen who had previous racing
experience with Porsche 908's and 917's, the rebuild had officially
began.
Over the next couple of years, the team breathed new life into the
memory of the 005, rebuilding the car to its original essence and
glory. The team secured the original 917 plans from Porsche. With
that, the team sourced the original tubing to build the frame
exactly as it was in 1969. The rebuild was sourced with factory
Porsche parts from other 917's, as well as rebuilt parts from
Woolfe's 917 that Willi Kauhsen acquired years prior. The
windshield was sourced from extra stock via the original windshield
manufacturer, that sat on a shelf unused for 40 years. In doing
this, every part is truly authentic and to original specification
as it was from 1969.
Today, the Porsche 917-005 stands as a symbol of the intertwined
nature of motorsport-where innovation meets passion and where
dreams are pursued at the very edge of speed and skill. It serves
as a poignant reminder of the stories and dreams carried by each
car, echoing the spirit of those who dared to push boundaries.
Beyond its racing accolades, the 917's cultural impact is
undeniable, especially after its starring role in Steve McQueen's
movie, "Le Mans." This car wasn't just about speed; it symbolized
power, engineering prowess, and a passion for racing.
Standing today, this 917 holds a special and significant place in
automotive racing history. With every piece being looked over with
meticulous detail, 917-005 resembles the memorial of the one and
only John Woolfe, as well as preserving the history that this 917
bestowed upon the world. This 917 also has its FIA passport and is
qualified to race historic races anywhere in the world.
Historical Timeline:
4.21.1969 - FIA homologation presentation
5.11.1969 - Spa 1000km, Qualified Pole Position, Driven by Joe
Siffert
5.13.1969 - Le Mans Preparation
6.14.1969 - Le Mans 24h, Driven by Woolfe/Linge, DNF
