A 'period' classics pictures thread (Mk II)
Discussion
Early 917 chassis were prone to cracking which, given all of the early 917’s other shortcomings, was never a recipe to prolong a driver’s life expectancy.
The answer was to pressurise the chassis tubes with inert gas and add a pressure gauge to the dash instruments. If the drivers saw the gas pressure needle dropping they were advised to slow down and return to the pits “mit care”...
The answer was to pressurise the chassis tubes with inert gas and add a pressure gauge to the dash instruments. If the drivers saw the gas pressure needle dropping they were advised to slow down and return to the pits “mit care”...
moffspeed said:
Early 917 chassis were prone to cracking which, given all of the early 917’s other shortcomings, was never a recipe to prolong a driver’s life expectancy.
The answer was to pressurise the chassis tubes with inert gas and add a pressure gauge to the dash instruments. If the drivers saw the gas pressure needle dropping they were advised to slow down and return to the pits “mit care”...
I believe it was Brian Redman who said, when told this, that if he saw the pressure gauge drop he'd park up and get out there and then.The answer was to pressurise the chassis tubes with inert gas and add a pressure gauge to the dash instruments. If the drivers saw the gas pressure needle dropping they were advised to slow down and return to the pits “mit care”...
The early 917s didn't inspire much driver confidence...
generationx said:
moffspeed said:
Early 917 chassis were prone to cracking which, given all of the early 917’s other shortcomings, was never a recipe to prolong a driver’s life expectancy.
The answer was to pressurise the chassis tubes with inert gas and add a pressure gauge to the dash instruments. If the drivers saw the gas pressure needle dropping they were advised to slow down and return to the pits “mit care”...
I believe it was Brian Redman who said, when told this, that if he saw the pressure gauge drop he'd park up and get out there and then.The answer was to pressurise the chassis tubes with inert gas and add a pressure gauge to the dash instruments. If the drivers saw the gas pressure needle dropping they were advised to slow down and return to the pits “mit care”...
The early 917s didn't inspire much driver confidence...
d, walk back to the pits and collect my Deutschmarks".However.
I have never seen a photograph of this mythical pressure gauge. Plus, I think the pressure was only checked during pit stops, when an external pressure gauge was plugged in to a valve. So I think the story has grown arms and legs over the years, and Frank Gardner was fond of embellishing the facts for humorous purposes. But it's still a good story. Apparently the pressurised chassis was already in use, they used it on the 908 as well.
...and for those of you who get your American car parts from John Woolfe Racing or have ever had a set of “Wolfies” on your P&J there is a 917 connection. John Woolfe owned “Woolferace” wheels until his death in 1969. GKN then took over the wheel company and the product was marketed as the snappier “Wolfrace” wheel.
John Woolfe entered Le Mans in 1969 in an early privateer 917. As no more than an enthusiastic but competent amateur many tried to dissuade him from competing in a car that still scared the living daylights out of seasoned pros like Redman & Elford. When he prevailed the next argument was that he should not do the notoriously hectic opening stint.
However he was the man who ran across the track to the car (the final driver sprint start at LM), a fiery accident cost him his life before the end of the first lap.
John Woolfe entered Le Mans in 1969 in an early privateer 917. As no more than an enthusiastic but competent amateur many tried to dissuade him from competing in a car that still scared the living daylights out of seasoned pros like Redman & Elford. When he prevailed the next argument was that he should not do the notoriously hectic opening stint.
However he was the man who ran across the track to the car (the final driver sprint start at LM), a fiery accident cost him his life before the end of the first lap.
moffspeed said:
John Woolfe entered Le Mans in 1969 in an early privateer 917.
It was the very first privateer 917, as Woolfe had been the first privateer to buy a 917 from the factory. It was chassis #005.The crashed remains of the car stayed with John Woolfe Racing for decades afterwards, up until about 10 years ago when it was bought by Willi Kauhsen and restored with the help of former Porsche Engineer Norbert Singer in time for its return to LeMans in 2018, with IIRC, Derek Bell driving it.
Apologies if posted before but found this online.
"Ian McKean piloting factory MGB GT V8 number 104, which was one of the original LHD prototypes!
This photo is from the Cheltenham Stages Rally of July 1975. Ian McKean finished 5th overall.
The gentleman in the orange helmet is navigator J. Kerswell."
"Ian McKean piloting factory MGB GT V8 number 104, which was one of the original LHD prototypes!
This photo is from the Cheltenham Stages Rally of July 1975. Ian McKean finished 5th overall.
The gentleman in the orange helmet is navigator J. Kerswell."
Dapster said:
I've posted some of these 917 pictures from the Porsche temporary workshop at Teloche during the LeMans prep before, but work another look I think.
Also fascinating as it shows the regs at the time requiring them to carry a spare wheel. They would neved been fitted, of course, but they needee to carry one.You know, I've lived five miles from that garage for 20 years and never knew the history until five years ago! The Esso petrol station at Arnage was the old Bristol base way back then and Jaguar were based in Le Mans. I took my car there and took a photo. The owner had no idea of the history of the place.
And now:-
And now:-
Dapster said:
I've posted some of these 917 pictures from the Porsche temporary workshop at Teloche during the LeMans prep before, but work another look I think.
It must have been amazing to have been there to see all these cars and take those pictures. You have a very valuable copyrighted archive.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff