Hans Mezger

Porsche 917

The Porsche 917 is a sports prototype race car developed by Porsche’s 1960s Race Design office under Hans Mezger’s leadership to exploit 5-litre sports car regulations. Its spaceframe chassis weighs 42 kg and is permanently pressurised with gas to detect cracks. Power comes from a new 4.5-litre air-cooled flat-12 engine designed by Mezger. It gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971, and was chiefly responsible for Porsche winning the International Championship for Makes in both years. It was initially unwieldy but improved through continuous development. Porsche later adapted it for Can-Am racing, culminating in the twin-turbocharged 917/30.