#028 Porsche 917 Spyder & turbo

by modelM43in carson Posted on

Published April 16, 2024 | Last update Oktober 8, 2026 | 18 models online

The sports car category where the Porsche 917’s ruled, stopped to exist by the end of 1971. Some teams already competed in the Interserie and Can-Am races where there were less rules. The 917 was a bit too heavy and lacked power to be a winner in Can-Am, so teams already used lighter Spyder versions of the 917. The engines were allowed to rev a bit higher to gain some additional horsepower, but that was not enough to beat the mighty V8’s in the McLarens and Lola’s. So Porsche had to think of a different solution …

917 PA & Spyder

1969 Can-Am Laguna Seca, Porsche 917 PA
Porsche designed the 917 for Le Mans and the World Championship Sports cars. Together with Porsche and Audi distributor Vasek Polak, this 917 PA (Porsche Audi) was built for the Can-Am series. It had new bodywork and a larger fuel tank, but the engine stayed the same. It was 150 bhp less powerful than the big blocks of the mighty McLarens. Jo Siffert drove the car to 4th position in the championship, in the Laguna Seca race he finished 5th..
Vasek Polak #0: Jo Siffert (CH)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 1:03.470 / race 5th – 79 laps
Porsche 917 PA – Can-Am: Powered by 4.5 liter Porsche 912.00 V12 180º, approx. 570 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 770 kg. Aluminum space frame, chassisnr. #028

  • SPARK S1170 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
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1971 Test, Porsche 917/16
Porsche designed the 917 for Le Mans and the World Championship Sportscars. Already in 1969, a Spyder version of the 917 was entered in the Can-Am series. It was still too heavy and had not enough power to compete with the McLarens. The 5-liter flat-12 engine of the Porsche 917 delivered some 600 hp in sprint races. In their search for more power Porsche built this 16-cylinder version, it should have had way over 800 hp, but it never competed and can be found in the Porsche Museum. The alternative, the turbo version would become a hit.
Results: Test Weissach
Porsche 917/16 – Can-Am: Powered by 7.2 liter Porsche V16 180º, approx. 850hp. Aluminum space frame, chassisnr. #027

  • TRUE SCALE MINIATURES 114301 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
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1971 Montlhéry 1000 km, Porsche 917 Spyder
In 1970, Leo Kinnunen was one of the drivers of the famous JWA Gulf team. In 1971 he drove a 917 Spyder in the Interserie for AAW Racing, he won this championship 3 years in a row. After the 1971 Interserie season, Leo Kinnunen and Gérard Larrousse raced in the Paris 1000 km race at Montlhéry . They finished in second place, five laps behind a Gulf 917K driven by Gijs van Lennep and Derek Bell.
AAW Racing #3: Leo Kinnunen (FIN) / Gérard Larrousse (F)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 2:33.700 / race 2nd – 123 laps
Porsche 917 Spyder – Prototypes Group 6: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.11 V12 180º, approx. 630 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 770 kg. Aluminum space frame, chassisnr. #015

  • SPARK SF012 #116 / 500 pcs (resin)
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1971 Interserie Norisring 200 miles, Porsche 917 Spyder
The Interserie was an attractive championship. A mix of sports cars and prototypes battled in sprint races, often in 2 heats. Jürgen Neuhaus drove this beautiful Gelo Porsche Spyder to 2nd place in the 1st heat, he gave up in the 2nd. Reason was the fatal accident of Pedro Rodriguez in a Ferrari while leading the first race. This was a Gulf 917K in its previous life (chassis #026, damaged in Le Mans 1970), Porsche restored the car and transferred into a 917 Spyder and changed the chassisnumber to #030. Jürgen Neuhaus entered the car under his own name in 1971 but probably the car was already owned by Georg Loos by then.
Jürgen Neuhaus/ Gelo #1: Jürgen Neuhaus (D)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 1:16.200 / race 1 – 2nd / race 2 – DNF
Porsche 917 Spyder – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.11 V12 180º, approx. 630 hp. Firestone tires. Weight 770 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. 917/10 #030 (former 917K #026)

  • SPARK SG011 #234 / 500 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS
    • Also appears in #060 Shell

1971 Can-Am Watkins Glen, Porsche 917/10
The PA Spyder used in 1969 was too heavy and had not enough power to compete with the McLarens. The new Porsche 917/10 was specially designed for the Can-Am series and would be equipped with the turbo engine in 1972. Jo Siffert drove the car once in 1971 at Watkins Glen using the normally aspirated engine, he finished 3rd.
STP Porsche-Audi #20: Jo Siffert (CH)
Results: Start-grid 9th / time 1:08.640 / race 3rd – 80 laps
Porsche 917/10 – Can-Am: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.11 V12 180º, approx. 630 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 765 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 002

  • SPARK S1171 (resin)
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1972 Interserie Imola, Porsche 917 Spyder
German Ernst Kraus was one of the Porsche customers who drove a Porsche 917 that was transferred into a Spyder. This is chassis 026 that finished 2nd at Le Mans in the previous year. Kraus used the Spyder in the Interserie championship, his best result being 3rd at Imola. He crashed the car during practice at Hockenheim and had to rent another car for the next few races. He then drove the white and blue car from A.A.W. Racing that Kinnunen used in 1971.
Boeri Sport Helmet Racing Team #17: Ernst Kraus (D)
Results: Start-grid 9th / time 1:33.670 / race 3rd – 59 laps
Porsche 917 Spyder – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.11 V12 180º, approx. 630 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 765 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #031

  • SPARK SG012 #031 / 500 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1972 & 1973 Can-Am: turbo power

1972 Can-Am Challenge, Porsche 917/10 turbo
The new turbo charged Porsche 917/10 ruled the 1972 Can-Am season. George Follmer drove for Penske Racing and took the title with 5 wins from 9 races. He started the season driving #6, but halfway the season he was joined by team mate Mark Donahue in a similar car. Donahue had been out after a crash for some months, buth he was used to driving the #6 so Follmer switched to #7 for the remaining races, lucky number.
Penske Racing #7: George Follmer (USA)
Results: 5 victories / 1st championship
Porsche 917/10 turbo – Can-Am: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 745 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 003

  • MINICHAMPS MC437 726507 (resin model produced by SPARK, limited 500 pcs)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
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1973 Can-Am, Porsche 917/30 turbo
Probably the most famous of all Sunoco – Penske cars is this one. The Porsche 917/30 was a further development of the Porsche 917/10 turbo. With its increased engine-size it delivered a stunning 1200 bhp and also had better aerodynamics. It blew away the earlier 917/10 and the competition from Mclaren to win the Can-Am Championship.
Penske Racing #6: Mark Donohue (USA)
Results: 6 victories – 1st championship
Porsche 917/30 – Can-Am. Powered by 5.4 liter Porsche 912.52 flat-12 twin turbo – approx. 1200 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 770 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr.917/30 003

  • MINICHAMPS MC436 736006 in a presentation box #3362 / 9999 pcs (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #006 Sunoco Penske

1973 Can-Am challenge, Porsche 917/10 turbo
George Follmer and Charlie Kemp (#23) drove the 1972 Penske Porsches, now in the team of Rinzler Motorracing. The 1973 season started well; Kemp winning the first race at Mosport and Follmer the second at Road Atlanta. After that, all victories went to Mark Donahue in the new Penske Porsche 917/30. Behind him, battle for second went on between George Follmer and Hurley Haywood (#59). The latter drove this Brumos car and scored a third place in Mid-Ohio. He would do that again in Laguna Seca and he finished second in the last race of the season in Riverside. It was good enough for a third place in the championship.
Rinzler Motorracing #23: Charlie Kemp (USA)
Results Mosport: Start-grid 4th / time 1:17.200 / race 1st – 80 laps

Brumos Porsche #59: Hurley Haywood (USA)
Results Mid-Ohio: Start-grid 7th / time 1:27.202 / race 3rd – 80 laps
Porsche 917/10 turbo – Can-Am: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 745 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 005 & #917/10 007 

  • #23 M.A. SCALE MODELS #unknown
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  • #59 MINICHAMPS MC437 726559 (resin model produced by Spark, limited 250 pcs)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • #59 Also appears in #059 Brumos

1973 Interserie

The European counterpart of the Can-Am challenge was the Interserie. At first, the level of entrants was below that from the Can-Am, but in 1973 it was as good as that on the other side of the Atlantic.

1973 Interserie, Porsche 917/10 turbo
Leo Kinnunen was the man to beat in this series in his turbocharged 917/10. In 1973 he won 4 races and took the title just as in the two previous years.
AAW Racing #1: Leo Kinnunen (FIN)
Results: 4 victories / 1st championship
Porsche 917/10 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Firestone tires. Weight 745 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 004

  • STARTER #unknown (resin)
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1973 Interserie, Porsche 917/10 turbo
Willi Kauhsen won the first two races in the 1973 season, but the title went to the reigning champion Leo Kinnunen who took victory 4 times.
Kauhsen Racing #2: Willi Kauhsen (D)
Results: 2 victories / 2nd championship
Porsche 917/10 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 745 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 015

  • MINICHAMPS MC437 736502 limited 250 pcs (resin model produced by SPARK)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1973 Interserie, Porsche 917/10 turbo
Team owner Georg Loos drove a Porsche 917/10 in the Interserie championship and took 6 podiums but didn’t win a race. In the championship he finished 3rd behind Leo Kinnunen and Willy Kauhsen in similar Porsche 917s.
Gelo Racing #6: Georg Loos (D)
Results: 6 podiums / 3rd championship
Porsche 917/10 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 745 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 017

  • SPARK Raceland Specials RS1209 #041 / 300 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #051 Gelo

1973 Interserie Hockenheim, Porsche 917/10 turbo
Wilson Fittipaldi (brother of F1 champion Emerson) participated only once at Hockenheim in September 1973 in a Kauhsen Porsche. He took pole position with quite a margin but in the first heat the engine seized and he was unable to start the second heat.
Kauhsen Racing #11: Wilson Fittipaldi (BR)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 2:12.600 / race 1 DNF / race 2 DNS
Porsche 917/10 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 745 kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/10 015

  • SOLIDO 18C (diecast)
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1973 Interserie Hockenheim, Porsche 917/30 turbo
Helmut Kelleners drove this car in the final race of 1973. It was a 917/30, but without the 5.4 liter engine.
Felder Racing Team #3: Helmut Kelleners (D)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 2:18.200 / race 5th – 39 laps
Porsche 917/30 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 770kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/30 001

  • MINICHAMPS MC437 736103 limited 250 pcs (resin model produced by SPARK)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • only appears in this collection

1973 Interserie Hockenheim, Porsche 917/30 turbo
Vic Elford started only once in the Interserie, the European version of Can-Am. This wasn’t the race where Wilson Fittipaldi participated but another event two months earlier. He drove an evolution version of the Porsche 917/10; the car had a 917/30 chassis number but was lacking the aerodynamic changes and 5.4 liter engine. The car was entered by Motorsport-Club Stuttgart but was actually a works entry. At Hockenheim Elford won the 2nd heat after he finished second in the first one.
MSC Stuttgart #7: Vic Elford (GB)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 1:54.600 / race 1: 2nd- 20 laps/ race 2: 1st – 20 laps
Porsche 917/30 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 770kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/30 001

  • MINICHAMPS MC437 736107 limited 360 pcs (resin model produced by SPARK)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS
    • Also appears in #010 Jägermeister prototypes

1974 & 1975 Interserie

In the USA, the regulations changed order to ban the all conquering turbo Porsches. In Europe, Interserie continued but the starting grids were by far not at the level of 1973. The remaining Porsche 917 turbo won every race.

1974 Interserie, Porsche 917/30 turbo
Herbert Müller managed to lay his hands on the works Porsche 917/30 that Vic Elford drove to victory once in 1973. Herbert won the Interserie championship in 1974. He only had to deal with the Kauhsen Porsche and Kelleners McLaren that both won once, the rest of the field were little 2-liter sportscars.
Martini Racing Team #0: Herbert Müller (CH)
Results: 3 victories / 1st championship
Porsche 917/30 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Firestone tires. Weight 770kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/30 001

  • MINICHAMPS MC437 736100 limited 300 pcs (resin model produced by SPARK)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS
    • Also appears in #080 Martini Porsche 908 & 917

1975 Interserie Hockenheim, porsche 917/30 turbo
Herbert Müller took the 917 to the track one final time and won the Interserie race at Hockenheim, the first on the 1975 calendar. He would drive the remaining races of the season in a Porsche 908/03 turbo in Martini livery.
Dr. Dannesberger #0: Herbert Müller (CH)
Results: Start-grid 1st / race 1st – 20 laps
Porsche 917/30 turbo – Interserie: Powered by 5.0 liter Porsche 912.51 V12 180º twin turbo, approx. 1100 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 770kg. Aluminum space frame chassisnr. #917/30 001

  • MINICHAMPS MC437 756100 limited 300 pcs (resin model produced by SPARK)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

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