40 replies to this topic

[Giraffe]

In 1989, I stumbled across a showroom in Los Angeles with three rather spectacular racing Porsches on display; it may well have been Vasek Polak's showroom, but I'm not sure.
They would appear to have been a 917 Langheck, a 917-10 Can-Am, and a 935; but I'm no marque expert.
What fascinated me was that the 917 Longtail had on the door; "Driver Carroll Shelby". Can anyone tell me where I was and what I photographed, and also if and when Carroll Shelby raced 917?


By giraffe138


By By giraffe138


By giraffe138


By giraffe138

[Ralf Pickel]

This must have definitely been at Vasek Polaks showroom.
At around the same time I often spent some time in LA area and also remember seeing those cars standing in the windows while passing by north or southbound.
Might have been on La Cienega Blvd. but am not sure.

[MCS]

Originally posted by Giraffe
What fascinated me was that the 917 Longtail had on the door; "Driver Carroll Shelby". Can anyone tell me where I was and what I photographed, and also if and when Carroll Shelby raced 917?

I'm absolutely sure he didn't race one in period. Did he perhaps test one for a magazine article, hence the name on the side?

Where in LA was the showroom Giraffe?

[Giraffe]

As Ralf has just correctly identified, it was on La Cienega Blvd., to the best of my memory.

[MCS]

But no references to 917s here:

http://www.vpracing.com/index.html

[Ralf Pickel]

Originally posted by Giraffe
As Ralf has just correctly identified, it was on La Cienega Blvd., to the best of my memory.

I also have somewhere one of those dealer delivery license plates (or how you want to call them), which I begged from Vasek Polak Porsche once, it must be down in the workshop somewhere..

But I am glad, that I did remember La Cienega correctly, it has been quite a while...

In the back of my mind I also have a BMW batmobile (either Grp.4 or IMSA) standing in one of the windows for a while - but I am not totally sure.

[Giraffe]

I think there was also an ex-Hurley Hayward Audi of some sort, and a Gulf liveried GT40 at one point. I stopped the car to as exactly which car it was, (if authentic)but the salesmen were clueless!


By giraffe138

[raceannouncer2003]

Apparently, at that time, Polak had three 917s, 019, 020, and 023. Maybe one of them? Perhaps Shelby did some laps with it an historic race? Porsche was featured at Monterey in 1982.

As for the 917/10, Polak apparently had two, 003 and 006.

And as for the GT40, the livery is as 1076, the 1969 Le Mans Hobbs/Hailwood car.

Vince H.

[TooTall]

Unless he had more than one, Vasek Polak's Porsche dealership was on Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. His BMW and Saab dealerships were in different buildings along the same street. I recall frequently driving by and seeing a 917 or a 935 in the showroom. I also recall going in once about 1984 to buy a couple of copies if the racing calendar which featured on of my photos.

Cheers,
Kurt O.

[917historian]

With regards to the Porsche 917 that Vasek Polak owned. From 1971 to 1998 Polak owned the following 917's

Porsche 917's

917 019 - Ex Salzburg / Martini Racing
917 020 - Ex Salzburg / Martini Racing
917 023 - Ex Salzburg / Martini Racing (1970 #23 LeMans Winner)
917 026 (031) - Ex Gulf / Ernst Kraus
917 028 -Porsche Audi (917PA - Siffert)
917 036 - Chassis Only
917 044 - Chassis Only - Built up as 917L (917)

Porsche 917/10
917/10 003 - Ex Penske
917/10 006 - Purchased New
917/10 007 - Ex Brumos Racing
917/10 016 - Ex Ernst Krause
917/10 018 - Purchaesed New (#0 Jody Scheckter)

Porsche 917/30
917/30 006 - Chassis Only

Total of 13 chassis,

The chassis in post #1 are 917 044 (917) was believed to be 917 043 the 1970 "Hippy Car" and the 917/10 is the ex Jody Scheckter #0 1973 Vasek Polak CanAm entry.

The #21 911 is the ex works Prototype 911 Carrera Turbo - Chassis # R8

[917historian]

Photo of 917-044 in 1991

Copyright: not known


Copyright: Milt Minter Archives

917-044 at Rennsport Reunion III @ Daytona

Copyright not known

[markpde]

You beat me to it, Mike - I've been sitting typing this for the last two hours!

Here's my tuppence worth, anyway (shame to waste it now). The 917 Langheck is (or is at least a re-creation of - see below!) 917 044. It was sold by Porsche as a chassis-body unit to Vasek Polak in 1975 and was built up from his extensive store of 917 parts. It then appeared over the years at the annual Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca, which is perhaps where Carroll Shelby drove it? As MCS confirmed, he never raced a 917 in period. It's effectively a hybrid of various 917Ls - its body in these photos is basically the same as 040 and 041 - both destroyed while testing at the VW test track at Ehra-Lessin in 1970 - but without their rear fins (they lacked the rear aerofoil), while its spaceframe chassis is most likely that of 044 - it carries 044's chassis number. Interestingly, you'll see the fins and rear aerofoil must have been added after 1989, since Mike's first photo shows it with fins and aerofoil in 1991.

After Vasek Polak died in 1997, '917 044' was purchased by Symbolic Motors who 're-created' it as a replica of the 'Hippie car' - 917 043 - although it lacks the gearbox cooling scoops and concave nose panel. Carl Thompson, who restored the car in 1997/8, was supposedly led to believe that 044's spaceframe chassis had been damaged in testing, and yet there were no signs of chassis damage when they stripped it, so for a while it was thought (or at least maintained) that the chassis actually was that of 043, the real 'Hippie car'. However, apparently the 917's current owner, Fred Simone, doesn't subscribe to that, and if you read Pedro917's post (#29) in this thread, it seems, ironically, that it was actually the other way around - 043 was reputedly crashed by Jo Siffert while testing at Hockenheim in 1970 (and subsequently written off), although Porsche for whatever reason insisted on keeping the crash quiet, which means that the spaceframe is more likely that of the Rodriguez/Oliver Gulf 917L which raced at Le Mans in 1971, which, although listed in official records as 043, now appears to have been the 'real' 044.

There's another intriguing 'encounter' similar to yours, Giraffe, by gkc in the same thread as Pedro917's post (gkc's is post #24) - is it possible he saw the remains of the real 043 'Hippie car' at Stuttgart in August 1971? There's also another one which I've pasted a link to below, even more similar, which no-one has ever been able to satisfactorily explain. It refers to the dealership in Manhattan Beach, which I understand is just next to Hermosa Beach, but some way away from La Cienega Blvd - the two Gulf 917Ls would have been 917 044 (as it is now 'surmised' as being!) - Rodriguez/Oliver #18 - and 045, the Siffert/Bell #17 from Le Mans 1971, now in the Le Mans museum, albeit re-liveried as 042, the Elford/Larrousse Martini #21 917L (the real 042 is in the Porsche museum). Such a tangled web...

http://www.cknet.org...sp?TOPIC_ID=134

Here's the catalogue description of 'your' 917 Langheck, Giraffe, when it was sold by Christie's in 1998. Make out of it what you will (the 917L crashed by Kurt Ahrens was 040, not 044)...

http://www.rickcarey.....H 917-043.htm

I'll just away and lie down now. :yawn:

Mark

[Giraffe]

That was an astonishing and illuminating reaction to an off the cuff enquiry! A TNF bullseye!
So whilst I'm on the subject, whatever happened to the Gesipa Racing Team yellow 917 (4500cc) I saw Jurgen Neuhaus drive to second place behind Helmut Kelleners in his March 707 in the Interserie round at Croft in 1970?

[917historian]

Originally posted by Giraffe
That was an astonishing and illuminating reaction to an off the cuff enquiry! A TNF bullseye!
So whilst I'm on the subject, whatever happened to the Gesipa Racing Team yellow 917 (4500cc) I saw Jurgen Neuhaus drive to second place behind Helmut Kelleners in his March 707 in the Interserie round at Croft in 1970?

Gesipa Racing Teams 917 was Powder Blue with a yellow stripe (917-007). Chassis history:-
1969 - Porsche System - Weissach. Germany
Painted: White / Yellow Nose
Fitted Long Tail
Fitted 4.5 Litre Flat 12 Engine
14-Jun-69 LeMans 24hrs 14 Rolf Stommelen / Kurt Ahrens Retired Oil Leak

1969 - Porsche System - Weissach. Germany
Rebuilt as 917K
Painted: White

1970 - Gesipa Racing Team - Germany
Painted: White
Fitted 4.5 Litre Flat 12 Engine
29-Mar-70 Zolder 65 Jurgen Neuhaus 1st Fastest lap
Painted: Pale Blue / Yellow Stripe & Side Sills (Gesipa Rivets Sponsorship)
25-Apr-70 Monza 1000kms 14 Jurgen Neuhaus / Helmut Kellners 10th
17-May-70 Spa 1000kms 30 Jurgen Neuhaus / Helmut Kellners Retired Accident
31-May-70 Nurburgring 1000kms 54 Jurgen Neuhaus / Helmut Kellners Retired Wheel Bearing Failure
21-Jun-70 Mainz-Finthen 1 Jurgen Neuhaus 1st Fastest lap
28-Jun-70 Norisring Interserie 12 Jurgen Neuhaus 1st Fastest lap
05-Jul-70 Hockenheim Interserie 16 Jurgen Neuhaus 6th
11-Jul-70 Croft Interserie 22 Jurgen Neuhaus 2nd
23-Aug-70 Keimola Interserie 13 Jurgen Neuhaus 2nd Fastest lap
20-Sep-70 Thruxton Interserie 1 Jurgen Neuhaus 1st
11-Oct-70 Hockenheim Interserie 62 Jurgen Neuhaus 2nd Interserie Champion
17-Oct-70 Montlhery 1000kms 3 Jurgen Neuhaus / Willi Kaushen Retired

1970 - Porsche System - Weissach. Germany
Rebuilt as 917 Spyder

1971 - Gesipa Racing Team - Germany
Painted: Pale Blue / Yellow Stripe & Side Sills (Gesipa Rivets Sponsorship)
Fitted 4.5 Litre Flat 12 Engine
02-May-71 Imola Interserie 14 Michel Weber 6th
06-Jun-71 Zolder Interserie 14 Michel Weber 5th
04-Jul-70 Hockenheim Interserie 13 Michel Weber 4th
11-Jul-71 Norisring Interserie 14 Michel Weber 7th
22-Aug-71 Keimola Interserie 14 Michel Weber 5th
12-Sep-71 Imola Interserie 14 Michel Weber 6th
03-Oct-71 Hockenheim Interserie 14 Michel Weber 2nd
17-Oct-71 Montlhery 1000kms 5 Michel Weber Retired Engine

1972 - Gesipa Racing Team - Germany
Painted: Pale Blue / Yellow Stripe & Side Sills (Gesipa Rivets Sponsorship)
06-Aug-72 Freilburg, Switzland Michel Weber Mountain Hill Climb

1973 - Auto-Fox Racing - Germany
Painted: Pale Blue
15-Jul-73 Hockenheim Interserie 44 Albert Pfuhl 8th
19-Aug-73 Misano Interserie 44 Albert Pfuhl Retired

1974 - Auto-Fox Racing - Germany
Painted: Pale Blue
In Storage - Not Raced

1975 - Auto-Fox Racing - Germany
Painted: Pale Blue
13-Apr-75 Hockenheim Interserie 14 Albert Pfuhl 10th
15-Jun-75 Mainz-Finthen Interserie 14 Albert Pfuhl Retired
17-Aug-75 Kassel-Calden Interserie 14 Albert Pfuhl Retired
Retired From Active Competition

197* / 1985 - Hans-Dieter Blatzheim - Wachtberg. Germany
Painted: Pale Blue / Yellow Stripe (Gesipa Rivets Sponsorship)
Chassis Converted back from Spyder Specification to 917K Specification

1991 / 2007 - Rosso Bianco Museum - Peter Kraus, Aschaffenburg. Germany - On loan from Mrs Blatzheim
Painted: Pale Blue / Yellow Stripe (Gesipa Rivets Sponsorship)

2008 / 2009 - Mrs Blatzheim - Wachtberg. Germany
Painted: Pale Blue / Yellow Stripe (Gesipa Rivets Sponsorship)

[Jack-the-Lad]

Shelby will sign anything.....

(I kid! I kid!)

Vasek had locations in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, I believe. The last time I was there (May, 1969!) there was a 911R and a 904, for sale at an outrageous (then) $9,500 and $12,000, respectively.

Jack.

[markpde]

Originally posted by Giraffe
That was an astonishing and illuminating reaction to an off the cuff enquiry! A TNF bullseye!
So whilst I'm on the subject, whatever happened to the Gesipa Racing Team yellow 917 (4500cc) I saw Jurgen Neuhaus drive to second place behind Helmut Kelleners in his March 707 in the Interserie round at Croft in 1970?

Thanks! Mike (917historian) is the 917 expert on here - he can tell you what a 917 chassis had for its breakfast - but since you asked, Neuhaus's 917 finished up on its roof at Montlhery at the end of the 1970 season - probably saved time and trouble when converting it to a spyder!

Just realised Michel Weber, who according to Mike's history raced the chassis in 1972, shared Reinhold Joest's 908LH (with Joest and Mario Casoni) at Le Mans in 1972 - often wondered where he came from; now I know.

(Beat me to it again, Mike - I'm too slow!)

[Giraffe]

All good stuff!!! However, nobody has yet offered an explaination as to why Carroll Shelby's name was on the door of the 917. I remember it struck me as rather odd at the time, as I well knew that a 917 was out of racing period for Carroll, and I can't really imagine him in one, but if so, I'm sure that there must be some record of the encounter somewhere. I'd love to know more..............

[fbarrett]

Originally posted by Jack-the-Lad
Shelby will sign anything.....

(I kid! I kid!)

Jack:

Heck, he's signed all the Cobras, so maybe he was starting in on Porsches...

Frank

[HistoricMustang]

Originally posted by Giraffe
All good stuff!!! However, nobody has yet offered an explaination as to why Carroll Shelby's name was on the door of the 917. I remember it struck me as rather odd at the time, as I well knew that a 917 was out of racing period for Carroll, and I can't really imagine him in one, but if so, I'm sure that there must be some record of the encounter somewhere. I'd love to know more..............

I am thinking this has something to do (spoof) with the 1969 LeMans race which began the transition from Ford to Porsche domination?

Others?

Has there every been a more beautiful race car than the 917's? (Not including the GT-40"s)

Henry

[Frank S]

Originally posted by Jack-the-Lad
Shelby will sign anything.....

(I kid! I kid!)

Jack.

But it seems to be true!

If you join Team Shelby, and send your item and a $160 donation to The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, it'll come back signature-adorned. Within limits, of course.

OK, I erred:
Donation Pricing:

* $250 per autograph for car part
* $150 per autograph for merchandise such as die-casts, photos, posters, etc
* USA: $15** for shipping and handling.
* Overseas: International shipping rates apply, you will be contacted before shipping.

**Additional charges will apply for special requests

[dbw]

ok ..this is for hard-core 917 guys..who designed the original "hippie car's" paintjob??...

hints;
he worked for porsche
he isn't german
he is really tall.

anyone?

[markpde]

Originally posted by dbw
ok ..this is for hard-core 917 guys..who designed the original "hippie car's" paintjob??...

hints;
he worked for porsche
he isn't german
he is really tall.

anyone?

Anatole "Tony" Lapine? Not actually sure, but think that's who it was. Always thought he was French, but apparently he's American? Never seen a photo, so don't know what height he is!

Whoever did the paintjob, it must have been waterproof - this is scary!!!...


Copyright unknown

[markpde]

Originally posted by Giraffe
All good stuff!!! However, nobody has yet offered an explaination as to why Carroll Shelby's name was on the door of the 917. I remember it struck me as rather odd at the time, as I well knew that a 917 was out of racing period for Carroll, and I can't really imagine him in one, but if so, I'm sure that there must be some record of the encounter somewhere. I'd love to know more..............

This is bugging me now! MCS might well be right - it could have been for a magazine article - Road and Track, perhaps, some time in 1989? Or at the Monterey Historics of that year? Whoever drove it must have driven it very carefully, though - in that spec, without even the fins let alone the aerofoil, and without the concave panel in the nose, it's in the same configuration as the 907 longtails which raced and won at Daytona in 1968; apparently they were seriously wayward aerodynamically, with next to no downforce, and with only half the horsepower of the 917...

[dbw]

close..he worked for tony lapine...he went to work for porsche from the west coast where he designed military vehicles [i knew him as i took his job when he went to porsche]and he was an ex detroit stylist.....

[Giraffe]

[URL=http://g.imageshack.us/img4/scan0020zc7.jpg/1/][IMG]

So unless Shelby carried a pot of paint and a brush around with him??? Come on all of you American Porsche nuts; an explaination please!

[Ralliart]

I don't believe Shelby drove it, at least not publicly. Surely, IF he had driven it at, say, the Monterey Historics, there would have been a photo of him doing so. Or any other historics. He's not unknown nor are the various historics held each year. The questions are Who painted it and Why? As has been said in this post - indirectly - just because something rests in a showroom or museum doesn't necessarily make it genuine. There must be some intimates of Shelby on this forum who know the answers.

[917historian]

I believe that Carol Shebly will have driven thr 917L. Vasek Polak showed his Porsche's at various Historic race meetings and shows throughout the West Coast during the 1970's to 1990's. Various famous race drivers of the time dove Polak's cars at these historic events, such as Vic Elford, Milt Minter and I believe Carol Shelby. These was no reason for Polak to put his name onb the car unless he raced/demonstrated the car.
Just my opinion

[fines]

Is that Carroll's wife?

[adminj]

[Jack-the-Lad]

Originally posted by dbw
close..he worked for tony lapine...he went to work for porsche from the west coast where he designed military vehicles [i knew him as i took his job when he went to porsche]and he was an ex detroit stylist.....

Haarm Lagay? (sp?)

Jack

[dbw]

nope..

[CarlBauer]

I always thought it was Tony Lapine myself...





Mark and Mike,

I own the Hinsdale's 'Fabulous 917' ('72 and '76), Bamsey's 'Porsche 917' and Horsman's 'Racing in the Rain'.

Am I going to learn anything from the following books I haven't already learned from the above?

'Porsche 917: The Heroes, the Victories, the Myth'
'Porsche 917: The Undercover Story'
'Porsche 917: The Complete Photographic History'
'Porsche 917: Esquisses d'un succès - Sketches of Success'

I just can't figure out why publishers have been approving so many 917 books in the past few years. There probably hasn't been another racing car with so many books written specifically for it!

[917historian]

Originally posted by CarlBauer
I always thought it was Tony Lapine myself...





Mark and Mike,

I own the Hinsdale's 'Fabulous 917' ('72 and '76), Bamsey's 'Porsche 917' and Horsman's 'Racing in the Rain'.

Am I going to learn anything from the following books I haven't already learned from the above?

'Porsche 917: The Heroes, the Victories, the Myth'
'Porsche 917: The Undercover Story'
'Porsche 917: The Complete Photographic History'
'Porsche 917: Esquisses d'un succès - Sketches of Success'

I just can't figure out why publishers have been approving so many 917 books in the past few years. There probably hasn't been another racing car with so many books written specifically for it!

Carl, I have them all except 'Porsche 917: The Complete Photographic History' which I do not believe is yet published. It depends on what you are after, they all give different information.

'Porsche 917: Esquisses d'un succès - Sketches of Success' gives you all the race liveries of the 917 and 917L/LH. No liveries of the 917/10 or 30.

'Porsche 917: The Undercover Story' gives you a very good technical appraisal of the 917K. Does not cover the 917/10 or /30. Some good perviously unpublished photograhs.

'Porsche 917: The Heroes, the Victories, the Myth' - Good veiws from the drivers of the day and again great photo's. Has a very good race/chassis listing at the back of the book.

Just a few other books on the 917 - enjoy


The Fabulous Porsche 917 Peter Hinsdale
The Making of a Winner: Porsche 917 Larry Pihera
Cars in Profile No 5: The Porsche 917 Paul Frere
Porsche 917 - A Technical Triumph Paul Frere
The Fabulous Porsche 917 - 2nd Edition Peter Hinsdale
Porsche 917 (Super Profile) John Allen
Porsche 917 (Kimberley's Racing Sportscar Guide) Michael Cotton
Porsche 917: The Ultimate Weapon Ian Bansey
Racing Sports Car Guide No 1 : Porsche 917 Michael Cotton
Porsche 917 - The Winning Formula Peter Morgan
Porsche 917 - The Winning Formula Peter Morgan
Porsche 917 - The Hero's, The Victories, The Myth Jorg - Thopmas Fodish
Porsche 917 - The Undercover Story Gerald Wingrove
Porsche 917: Zuffenhausen's LeMans and CanAm Champions Karl Ludvigsen
Porsche 917 Colin Pit
Porsche 917 and its Racing Record Colin Pit
917 Porsche - Sketches of Success Reynarld Hezard
Porsche 917 - The Hero's, The Victories, The Myth - 2nd Edition Jorg - Thopmas Fodish
Porsche 917 - The Complete Photograhic Record Glen Smale

The choice is down to you and how much you want to spend.

Hope this helps.

[fbarrett]

Originally posted by CarlBauer
Am I going to learn anything from the following books I haven't already learned from the above?

'Porsche 917: The Heroes, the Victories, the Myth'
'Porsche 917: The Undercover Story'
'Porsche 917: The Complete Photographic History'
'Porsche 917: Esquisses d'un succès - Sketches of Success'

Carl:

As you may know, the first book is just out again in a larger and better second edition. It's a good book, but I like the second title better because it was written by a hands-on Gulf-Wyer mechanic. Yes, they are both well worth having (and yes, I have 'em in stock).

Frank

[markpde]

Carl: some great feedback there from Mike and Frank - I've got no money, so I'll settle for your proposed list and dream about Mike's!

Next on my list would be Gordon Wingrove's book - 'The Undercover Story', as advised by Frank, and 'Racing in the Rain', which you already have. Of the ones you have I only have Peter Hinsdale's 'The Fabulous Porsche 917', although it's just the first edition, so no coverage of the 917/30.

Just thinking - no 917 history will ever be complete now until we find out why Carroll Shelby's name appeared on the doors of Vasek Polak's 917 Langheck!

[markpde]

Originally posted by dbw
close..he worked for tony lapine...he went to work for porsche from the west coast where he designed military vehicles [i knew him as i took his job when he went to porsche] and he was an ex detroit stylist.....

Dick Soderberg? Pure guess - just a name - can't put a face to it, or a history. Just know he was a Porsche stylist - responsible for the 959? And he may or may not be really tall - if not I give up!

[dbw]

ok..his name is dave fleming. he went to work for tony after a west coast stint with lockheed designing military hi performance armored vehicles...his prior gig was ford motor co styling where he worked on the mustang project...he has since taught in design programs and now does fine art for a living...he had wonderful stories about his time with porsche and i distinctly remember his sketches of the "hippie" 917 in his portfolio. he said the racing division was, to his eye, pretty hands-on and that they would run a design to failure on the track and then "improve "it on the spot...almost everyone there had a coffee table made from a huge pile of ultra-wide 917 rims that wouldn't pass crack tests....

[Frank S]

Originally posted by Giraffe

[URL=http://g.imageshack.us/img4/scan0020zc7.jpg/1/][IMG]

So unless Shelby carried a pot of paint and a brush around with him??? Come on all of you American Porsche nuts; an explaination please!

Mr Shelby looked at the pictures yesterday (12 Feb 2009). He said the name on the car is "legit": he drove it at Monterey Historics (1982). He mentioned who Polak had bought it from, and that Dan Gurney had driven one of Polak's cars that year, as well.

The man who presented the pictures on my behalf did not remember the (German) name of Polak's source for the car. He suggested asking Mr Gurney for more information about that year's event.

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by Frank S


Mr Shelby looked at the pictures yesterday (12 Feb 2009). He said the name on the car is "legit": he drove it at Monterey Historics (1982). He mentioned who Polak had bought it from, and that Dan Gurney had driven one of Polak's cars that year, as well.

The man who presented the pictures on my behalf did not remember the (German) name of Polak's source for the car. He suggested asking Mr Gurney for more information about that year's event.

By giraffe138

Many thanks for your help on this, Frank S; 20 years of headscratching is now concluded in truly spectacular fashion thanks to your efforts, and the awesome power of TNF!!!

[markpde]

Originally posted by Giraffe
Many thanks for your help on this, Frank S; 20 years of headscratching is now concluded in truly spectacular fashion thanks to your efforts, and the awesome power of TNF!!!

Great stuff! Another piece in the jigsaw! It would be intriguing to find out who 'the (German) name of Polak's source', referred to by Frank S, was - the references I've found so far suggest Vasek Polak purchased the frame and body direct from Porsche, but evidently not (I've been led to believe he then built up the rest of the 917 from his store of parts). Another source of mystery (that chassis is somewhat shrouded in mystery), but we're getting there!

I should stress that what I posted before was 'AFAIK' - I'm just an enthusiast, not an expert.

This is the body as it was purchased - AFAIK! :


Copyright not known.

[Giraffe]

Carroll Shelby celebrated his 86th birthday last month! I wonder who is the oldest driver still alive to have raced/driven a 917? I suppose Hans Herrmann springs to mind, having raced the car in the true sense rather than in Historics or as a demo.