Photo : D.R. - Archives ACO

On the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected thirty historic cars grouped into three per decade, all up for public vote by race fans. To participate, click HERE and choose one per decade. The vote is open until the 15th of January 2013. Each of the thirty cars will have a short introduction. Today it is the Porsche 917 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971.

The 917 is undoubtedly one of the most legendary race cars in the history of Porsche and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After a difficult start in 1969, it finally scored a victory in La Sarthe for the Stuttgart manufacturer 1970. In 1971 the 917 prototype was a record breaker. During preliminary testing in April, Jackie Oliver reached 386 km/h the Mulsanne Straight, (without chicanes at that time), and set the fastest lap in the history of circuit (3:13.6), crossing the threshold of 250 km/h average speed. In qualifying, Pedro Rodriguez set the fastest ever pole position time of the 24 Hours 3:13.9  Race winners Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep set a record for the distance (5335 kilometers to 222 km/h average), which stood until 2010.

Year : 39th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (12th & 13th June 1971)
Number of cars entered : six
Technical Information :
4.9 litre flat 12 atmospheric
Drivers :
Jo Siffert-Derek Bell (n°17)
Pedro Rodriguez-Jackie Oliver (n°18)
Herbert Müller-Richard Attwood (n°19)
Gérard Larrousse-Vic Elford (n°21)
Helmut Marko-Gijs van Lennep (n°22)
Reinhold Joest-Willy Kauhsen (n°23)
Results :
1st (Helmut Marko-Gijs van Lennep)
2nd (Herbert Müller-Richard Attwood)
Retirement (Jo Siffert-Derek Bell, Pedro Rodriguez-Jackie Oliver, Gérard Larrousse-Vic Elford, Reinhold Joest-Willy Kauhsen)
Notable facts : tThree versions of the Porsche 917 bodywork raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1971 : long tail (n°17, 18 et 21), short tail (n°19 et 22) wide body (n°23).