1973 Porsche 917/30, “the perfect race car” to be auctioned at Amelia Island
In what became one of the most spectacular and successful episodes of motor racing history, the Porsche 917/30 is set to go under the hammer at the Amelia Island auction sale, preceded over by Gooding & Company. Dubbed by many as the ‘perfect racing car’, this Porsche was an a part of the 1973 Can-Am season, and pumped out a huge 1,500 HP of engine power, making it the most powerful road racing car ever built. So much was its imposing presence on the racing circuit, which after driver Mark Danohue won the 6 championship races in the year, the SCCA had to bring about certain changes to their rules and make this car withdraw from future races. However, with the Amelia Island auction taking place, this Porsche is stated to fetch in excess of $3.25 million- $ 4million.
Back in 1973, the Porsche 917/30 turned out to be gaming changing for one and all in competition with each other. After winning 6 out of 8 races in the Can-Am season, the 917/30 was unfortunately withdrawn from the 1974 season due to the change in rules, to allow a standardized format of competition. All said and done, it was never really possible to compete with a fiber-glass bodied car which had around 1,500 HP of thrust generated from its 5.4 Liter 12-cylinder engine! Hence, by late 1974 the car was sold to Mr. Alan Hamilton, before Porsche bought the car back yet again, and displayed it at the company museum in Stuggart, Germany. Currently a part of the Drendel family collection, which has other vintage masterpieces going the similar way, this Porsche racer competed in other vintage races over the years including Monterey Historics, and displayed at events like Concours d’ Elegance and Rennsport Reunion.
Taking into account that this vehicle will be a collector’s item, the condition of the car has been restored to its original Penske-Sunoco color richness. Come this March, and some lucky buyer will be able to land his hands on this beast from Porsche, but might need to have a road of his own should he decide to compete anywhere. One could also check out our coverage of the Porsche Bonhams Quail auction event, which had 3 other vintage racing motors going under the hammer.
Via: Gooding/ Heritage Motors
