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Chassis:
One of three Porsche 917s built ahead of the 1970 season with special aerodynamic Lang Heck bodywork created in the wind-tunnel of the French Society d'Etudes et de Realisations (SERA), chassis 917-043 was loaned to Martini Racing for the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans. Finished in ‘Hippie’ colours, it was entered for Gerard Larrousse and Willie Kauhsen. The French/German pairing lined up in 11th for the race and ultimately finished an impressive second overall behind the short-tail 917 K of Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann. Later that year, the car was tested at the Hockenheimring with Jo Siffert when the rear wing failed. The damage was restricted mainly to bodywork and the car was repaired and updated to the latest specifications ahead of the 1971 season. Even though two new chassis with SERA bodywork were built, Porsche entered 917-043 for the Le Mans Test. It was then entrusted to the Gulf team for its second appearance at the 24 Hours. It was entered as the #18 for Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver. Sadly, an oil pipe failure ended the charge of 917/043 during the 14th hour of the race.
Rendered obsolete by rule changes, chassis 917-043 was not raced again. Porsche did use the car’s nose, still in Gulf colours, on the first 917/10 for test and development purposes. The car itself was eventually restored to its 1970 livery and configuration before it was sold to longtime Porsche distributor in California, Vasek Polak. It was one of several 917s he owned, and this car was sold on in 1975 to a Brazilian collector. Retained in Brazil for many years, it was eventually restored and pressed back into service for historic racing during the late 2010s. First used at the 2020 Dix Mille Tours, it was later also raced at the Le Mans Classic. Following intensive research into its storied past by marque authority Andy Prill, with the help of the Porsche Museum and the ACO, chassis 917-043 joined a British private collection in 2024. At the 2025 Le Mans Classic, it was reunited with Gérard Larrousse.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1970 |
| First owner |
Porsche System |
| Last known location |
British Private Collection |
| Appearances |
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