917 Replica Pics

Cory M · 04-15-2006, 01:43 PM

Here are a few pictures of a VERY nice 917 replica that was at the CA Festival of Speed. I believe the car was at the Pelican open house too.

I think it was built by Kraftwerkz in Australia. A big crowd formed around it before it was even unloaded from the trailer. Seeing the car in person really gives you a perspective on how small they are. At 6'2" I would probably never fit in it - but that doesn't make me want one any less!

limble · 04-15-2006, 07:23 PM

I saw one at the factory museum. You're correct they are small. Flying down the Mulsanne at 200+ mph must have been just nuts.
But, I would try it in a heartbeat.

Jandrews · 04-15-2006, 07:28 PM

How much would it cost to build something like that? Where do you get a 917 replica body kit? What motor does that replica car have in it?

JA

rcwaldo · 04-15-2006, 07:29 PM

Yep, just like real deal, no foot protection at all... Given the chance, I would still drive one

DarrylD · 04-15-2006, 08:06 PM

Here's my favorite photo of a 917 showing its very small size, the 914 looks huge next to it!

SCHNELE · SCHNELE's Garage

I know someone who shall remain unnamed who is approximately 6'3" who owns and raced an original 917.

Lukesportsman · 04-15-2006, 09:09 PM

Love the photo Darryl.

That is one of my favorite things at Road America is when they drive the cars to Elkhart. It gives a real perspective of size and beauty next to the new iron along the roads.

rgrimm · rgrimm's Garage

Lukesportsman, it's not just the size. It's one of the few places where you can stand on the shoulder of the road and "listen" to a 917 or vintage F1 car drive by just six feet away! I've got a great photo of my nephew with his fingers in his ears as you see a Brabham coming up the road behind him.

The Redman weekend is still one of the great North American automotive events.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Funny how a car can look so big by itself, when it's actually quite small...

-Wayne

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

For perspective -- picture it as a Sports 2000 with a 12 cylinder motor attached.

k9handler · 04-16-2006, 05:48 AM

wow talk about perspective...the 917 is so small and I never had a clue until that picture with the 914.

Lukesportsman · 04-16-2006, 05:58 AM

I'd love to see one parked next to the ugly Daytona Prototypes. They were smirking in this months magazine how the Vintage racers are markedly faster than the DP's on the same track with "Pros" driving.

JEM · 04-16-2006, 06:22 AM

Check out Race Car Replicas.com. The have what looks like a very nice 917 replica.

Jerry

DaveE · 04-16-2006, 06:33 AM

There was a company in Great Britain a few years ago that was building and selling a complete car minus drivetrain for around $50,000. You could specify a Gulf or Austria paint scheme too, for a few bucks more.

Scott at Pelican Parts · Scott at Pelican Parts's Garage

I spoke to the Kraftwerkz guys a few weeks ago and they said that a 917 reproduction (without engine) like the one you see above would cost about $100,000.

limble · 04-16-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scott at Pelican Parts
I spoke to the Kraftwerkz guys a few weeks ago and they said that a 917 reproduction (without engine) like the one you see above would cost about $100,000.

Crap, why wasn't I born rich instead of so darn good looking?

Cory M · 04-16-2006, 06:12 PM

The Race Car Replica (RCR) 917's are still early in development and won't be available for a long time. When they're done I'm sure they will be nice because the RCR GT40 and Lola replicas look fantastic.

Kraftwerkz is the only manufacturer that I'm aware of that is really making and selling 917's.

Kevin Stewart · 04-16-2006, 06:53 PM

I thought they were much bigger, wow, they are small, Kevin

roger zimmerman · 04-16-2006, 07:10 PM

If you really want a replica try www.project917.com Don't know if still in business as the info talks about 2002 production on its site but does list a name and phone # Someone give it a try !!! Roger

Quicksilver · 04-16-2006, 07:30 PM

That's one of our OCR-PCA member's cars. Life sucks for him...

(He also has a Danny Ongais, Porsche powered Indy car.) Yes, it is a Kraftwerkz car. He took delivery of it last summer and has been working on it since then. It was nice to see it completed.

When he showed up at the 917 open house at Pelican he had driven the car a total of 10 feet! He said he was going to go to the Festival of Speed so he could get a chance to drive it. So did they let him take some laps?

It is the 18th car that Kraftwerkz has made and it is the first one that didn't have the Gulf colors! I love the Herrmann-Atwood color scheme. It is my personal favorite of all of the 917s.

The car has a 2.4 liter 911 motor in it. He actually had built a 12 cylinder motor using 2 2.4 liter motors connected together and he got them to run but he had some sort of technical problem. Maybe it was cooling but I'm not sure.

I'm 6' tall but I've got rather short legs for my size. (30" inseam) I've sat in it and if the bottom of the seat was wider I could fit easily in it. 6'2 or 6'3 with normal length legs would be no problem. I think it would be a perfect daily driver! (Just try to pry me out of it!)