The last Porsche 917

In contrast to iconic designs of its era like the Alfa Romeo 8C, Jaguar D-Type, or Porsche 956/962, the original coupé form of the 917 had a brief racing career, spanning less than three seasons and only 23 World Championship events. Yet, it achieved remarkable success, winning 15 races, including prestigious victories at Daytona and Le Mans in both 1970 and 1971.

After being sidelined from international racing in 1972, the 917 found new glory in the unrestricted North American Can-Am Championship. The Penske Racing team's 917/10 and 917/30 Spyders clinched consecutive titles in 1972 and 1973. However, Porsche's withdrawal from the series in 1974 signaled the end of an era, closing a chapter on one of the most revered Porsches in motorsport history.

Surprisingly, over a decade later, the Porsche 917 returned for a late resurgence. With the FIA transitioning to the Group C ruleset for 1982, the Group 6 regulations were relaxed for the 1981 World Endurance Championship season. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Kremer team developed an updated Group 6 version of the 917, aiming for another victory at Le Mans.

With Porsche's support, Kremer redesigned the 917-K81 to accommodate modern tire technology and aerodynamics, featuring a Kremer-built aluminum spaceframe chassis, advanced braking and suspension components, and revised bodywork for enhanced ground effect. Despite limited pre-race testing, the car entered Le Mans with optimism, led by driver Bob Wollek and supported by Guy Chasseuil and Xavier Lapeyre.

During qualifying, the car faced challenges with gear ratios and drag from its rear wing, qualifying 18th. Adjustments improved its speed for the race, but fuel issues and mechanical failures led to its retirement, ending its Le Mans journey prematurely.

The 917-K81's final race at Brands Hatch showcased its potential, qualifying third and briefly leading the race before retiring due to suspension failure. Despite its promising performance, Brands Hatch marked the end of the car's competitive career. It remained in Kremer's possession for years before being sold to racer Bill Bradley.

This 1981 Porsche 917 K-81 will feature as part of RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale held between 10-11th May 2024. Photos © Kevin Van Campenhout / RM Sotheby's