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IMMRC website - Porsche 917


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#51 Bikr7549

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Posted 24 September 2019 - 21:58

It looks like most of the other competing cars of that era were pretty close in wheelbase; Ferrari 512S at 94.5”, Alfa 33/3 at 91.3”, the Mirage at 94”.

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#52 Charlieman

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Posted 25 September 2019 - 11:27

It was not unusual for Porsche.  The 907, 908 and 910 all had a 2,300mm (90.6") wheelbase.  I think they all used the same basic frame which was also used for the 917.  It was subsequently used yet again for the 936 (Porsche's last space-frame car, I believe) which had a similar wheelbase.  All these were highly successful cars so it cannot have been a much of a problem.  With the 917, the real issue was aerodynamic, surely?

The "low power" 907 family were more stable aerodynamically than the early 917, as we all know. But they were still difficult to drive -- we just forget how good the drivers were. When drivers complained that the 917 was a handful at high speed, many at Porsche listened to them and addressed the problem. Porsche listened because they knew who was a good driver.

 

Sadly for us spectators, it is rare to see a Porsche prototype or 911 derivative running at full pelt. Thankfully Chevron/Lola/Osella and others built fine cars which a "gentleman driver" finds easier to control.