1970 LMK 917 Recreation

Description

Among the most iconic of all sports racing cars of motorsport’s golden era the Porsche 917 must rank at the very top. Not only was it fantastically successful, but it was the definition of “What’s fast is beautiful.” Even as a “body in white” the 917 was menacingly attractive, yet the sports racer was favored by fortune when it came to its colorful liveries as well. Gulf Oil, Martini and Rossi, and the Pink Pig are all top of mind when picturing a 917. So too are the “Hippie” colors that featured on the factory’s own 917 Langheck at Le Mans in 1970 and later run by the factory supported AAW Racing that same year. Of course, the only disappointing aspect of the Porsche 917 are its production numbers. Just a few over 50 were made and even when new they were quite costly. Porsche’s 917 sales brochure (yes, they made one!) lists its cost at 140,000 DM equating to $35,000 in 1969 - approximately $300,000 today. Of course, any of the remaining sports racing, Can Am, and Interserie cars are well into the seven-figures today, with most located in famous automobile collections around the world as static display pieces. 

In an effort to provide enthusiasts and vintage racers the look and feel of the Porsche 917 at a fraction of the price, Andrew Keiller, based in Melbourne, Australia, has been building his “LMK 917” since 2002. Since then, Keiller has been hard at work, fabricating frames, molding bodies to construct 27 of his design based on the Porsche 917. The final result is the highly impressive product seen here, chassis number 026, commissioned by the consignor in 2013 and completed four years later in 2017. Wearing the psychedelic “Hippie” livery of Porsche 917-021 as campaigned by Martini International Racing’s Gijs van Lennep and Gérard Larrousse at the 1970 Watkins Glen 6 Hours, this beautifully executed recreation of Porsche’s most dominant racing car is ready to be enjoyed on both road and track. This example gets driven on the street yet remains ideal for historic racing events.  

Highlights 

• Beautifully executed recreation by Andrew Keiller of Melbourne, Australia 

• Finished in the iconic “Hippie” livery of Porsche 917-021 as campaigned by Martini International Racing at the 1970 Watkins Glen 6 Hours with start number 35 

• 4130 Chromoly tube chassis 

• 3.6-liter air-cooled flat-six from a 993-generation Porsche 911, said to have been dynoed at 310 rear-wheel horsepower (approximately 340 horsepower)

• Engine is equipped with: 

  • Twin-plug ignition 

  • Vertical fan assembly 

  • MoTeC engine management system 

  • 44mm EFI throttle bodies with 36lb injectors 

  • 1¾-inch primary equal-length headers to collectors with 3-inch exhaust 

  • Dry-sump lubrication with a 4-gallon oil tank 

  • Twin fuel tanks (approximately 20 gallons) 

• Fully rebuilt five-speed 915 transmission with a locking differential 

• Lifeline Fire Zero 2000 onboard fire suppression system 

• Period-correct center-lock aluminum alloy wheels 

• Dunlop CR82 racing tires (430/1160-15 front, 530/1500-15 rear)  

• Road-legal, titled, and registered 

Features 

• Ventilated disc brakes 

• Coil-over suspension 

• Hydraulic front body lift 

• Enclosed headlights 

• Forward-hinged doors 

• NACA ducts on the rear wings 

• Three-spoke MOMO steering wheel 

• Laminated beechwood shift knob 

• Driver and passenger racing seats with five-point racing harnesses 

• Alcantara-trimmed dashboard 

• Battery cut-off switch 

• Chrome roof-mounted rearview mirror 

Known Imperfections 

This 1970 Replica LMK 917 is presented as a well-kept example and is said to be free from any substantial imperfections. 

Included 

• Muffler (removed) 

Ownership History 

The consignor commissioned Andrew Keiller to build this 1970 LMK 917 Recreation in 2013. The car was completed in 2017 and subsequently shipped from Melbourne, Australia to Costa Mesa, California.  

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. 

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com