Paris Motor Show 2008Paris Motor Show, 4-19th October 2008

Porsche 917

Porsche and Le Mans are almost inseparable; the German company owes a good deal of its sporting reputation from its involvement in the famous French race. As a result there are countless Porsches that could rightfully be called Le Mans legends (the 956 and 962 very worthy possibilities), but the 917 is perhaps the car that's had the longest-lasting legacy. The 917s won the race in 1970 and 1971, the cars going on to dominate sports car, and eventually Can Am racing in the USA.

Power for the 917 came from a flat-12 engine in various capacities, 917s in long tail form able to reach over 250mph down the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. Famously painted in the red, white and blue livery of sponsors Martini and light blue and orange of Gulf Oil company, the 917 and Le Mans are forever linked, particularly as it starred alongside Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans.

Wednesday June 18

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