Gulf Oil // Porsche 917

Being that we are big Steve McQueen fans, and seeing as how we just came across the 917 Gulf Oil Porsche at the Pacific Northwest Historics, it seemed only fitting to do a piece on the oil giants racing success with the 917. Powered by a type-912, air cooled flat twelve engine, with components made from magnesium and titanium (fancy stuff at the time) in order to shave weight, the 917 had immense power and incredible handling capabilities. 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds, a top speed of 246mph, made the 917 a formidable competitor to Ferrari's Le Mans efforts of the time. One of the fastest production processes of all time, 25 Porsche 917's were built to compete in a class of under-5 liter prototypes in a series of endurance races. Early testing found the 917's to be unstable and extremely uncomfortable for drivers, and with an aerodynamic package more in tune with the long straights of Le Mans and Monza, the 917 was a handful during initial runs. Things were sorted, allowing more downforce in the corners while maintaining enough to keep all four planted on the long straights. Making its racing debut on May 11, 1969 at the 1000km Spa, the 917 fared well, though not taking a podium. Success was in the 917's future, as John Wyer, then vice president of Gulf Oil and former project developer for the Gulf GT40, decided to try his hand at the 917 platform in the 24hrs of Le Mans. The official Porsche Le Mans effort, Gulf Oil and John Wyer had enough backing to have a proper go at it. Though the 917 itself saw success against Ferrari and in the 24hrs of Le Mans, with the Porsche-Salzburg 917 taking a victory over the Gulf-Wyer 917 at the 1970 24hrs, the Gulf Oil car was never able to take a Le Mans victory, well sort of. In a fictitious adaptation of the 24hrs, Steve McQueen drove the Gulf Oil car to a victory in his 1971 film, Le Mans. Having a chance to see the Gulf Oil 917 Porsche first hand, the ColdTrackDays staff stood wide eyed, as the mechanic fired the twelve cylinders, idled down pit lane and out onto the track. The sound is amazing, the speed incredible. Le Mans victory or not, the Gulf Oil Porsche 917 is one of our favorites // 07.09.2008