The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype racing car and it gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 Can-Am variant was capable of a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 2.3 seconds, 0–124 mph (200 km/h) in 5.3 seconds. The long tail Langheck version had a maximum measured top speed of 362 km/h (225 mph). It is also the car that was featured in the iconic Steve McQueen film 'Le Mans' in 1971. In 2017 the car driven by McQueen in the film was sold at auction for $14m, a record price for a Porsche.

After poor results in 1969 and facing a new competition, Porsche concluded an agreement with John Wyer and the Gulf Team. This became the official Porsche team and development partner. When testing at Zeltweg Wyer's engineer John Horsmann wanted an increase in downforce at the expense of drag. A new wedge-shaped tail was then molded with aluminium sheets taped together which gave the 917 much needed stability, this new version was called 917K (Kurzheck).

Early in the 1970 Le Mans 24Hr race, the factory Ferraris retired after a collision. The two Porsche factory teams, Gulf-Wyer and Porsche Salzburg, continued to battle each other. At the end it was the red and white #23 917K of Porsche Salzburg, with the standard 4.5 litre engine, driven by Hans Herrmann and Englishman Richard Attwood through the pouring rain, that finally scored the first overall win at Le Mans. Martini's blue 917LH with a green "Psychedelic Hippie" design came in 2nd.

This will be a full detailed build using the Fujimi kit and the engine upgrade kit from Historic Racing Miniatures, I also have several etch sets from Studio 27 and Acustion along with another grade up set from Renaissance. Both doors will cut from the bodyshell allowing them to be displayed opened.

Click above for build and completed pictures