Australia is now home to one of the most iconic Porsche race cars ever built-a legendary vehicle that played a pivotal role in the demise of the Can-Am series. The Porsche 917 is not just a cornerstone in the brand’s racing history, but a symbol of innovation and dominance in motorsport.
Porsche 917: A Legacy of Engineering Excellence
Introduced in 1969 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Porsche 917 was created to compete in the evolving landscape of World Sportscar Racing. With new regulations allowing engines up to 5 liters, Porsche quickly responded with a car that would forever alter the course of motorsport history. Initially, Porsche produced 25 examples of the 917 to meet homologation requirements, although the total production eventually reached around 65 units.
The 917’s most notable appearance came through the iconic Le Mans film, where its Gulf livery became synonymous with speed and style. But the Porsche 917 wasn’t just a movie star-it was the car that would elevate Porsche from a struggling manufacturer to a motorsport titan, cementing its place in racing folklore.
Le Mans Glory and Can-Am Domination
The Porsche 917K became the centerpiece of Porsche’s racing success in 1970, securing an outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This marked the beginning of Porsche’s winning streak, as the 917 continued to dominate races worldwide. However, Porsche’s greatest achievement came when the car was unleashed in the Can-Am series.
By 1973, the World Sportscar Championship had banned the 5-liter, 12-cylinder engines that had made the 917 famous. Yet, in a move that would forever change the face of the sport, Porsche turned to the Can-Am series, the premier motorsport competition in North America, which still allowed for the use of these powerful engines. This shift presented Porsche with the perfect opportunity to unleash an even wilder version of the 917.
The 917/30: A Monster of Engineering
The Porsche 917/30 was one of the most extraordinary race cars ever created, blending immense power with groundbreaking engineering. Designed to take on the fierce competition from McLaren’s big-block V8 engines, the 917/30 debuted in 1973 under the expert leadership of Roger Penske and with the legendary Mark Donohue behind the wheel.
Unlike Le Mans, where aerodynamics played a key role, the Can-Am series focused on short tracks that favored maximum downforce and blistering acceleration. The 917/30 was powered by a 5.4-liter, twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine, producing over 1,000 horsepower. This allowed the 917/30 to reach an astonishing top speed of 385 km/h, with the ability to accelerate from 0 to 300 km/h in under 12 seconds.
Porsche built only six 917/30 units, and Mark Donohue’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, winning 6 out of 8 races in the 1973 Can-Am series and clinching the championship.
Chassis #005: The Untold Story
Chassis #005 of the Porsche 917/30 is particularly unique. Despite being a part of Porsche’s ambitious Can-Am project, it was never raced during the series’ heyday due to the program’s abrupt closure. In 1979, however, the car was fully assembled for Porsche dealer Gerry Sutterfield, marking the beginning of its post-racing life.
Over the years, the 917/30 has passed through several collectors before finding its current owner, who now showcases the car at prestigious events like Monterey Car Week and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Recently, the 917/30 made a special appearance at the renowned Autohouse Caffeine and Machine event in Australia, where fans had the rare opportunity to get up close to this incredible piece of automotive history.
The Porsche 917/30 remains one of the most potent symbols of Porsche’s engineering brilliance and is a testament to the brand’s legacy of breaking boundaries in motorsport.
Photo Credits: KezW Photography
