Arcane 917 question

Casket · 07-17-2008, 01:21 PM

I’ve done a search for this here and over on Rennlist but didn’t come up with anything.

Does anyone know the diameter of the steering wheels the factory used in the 917’s?

Every time I read something about driving one of those cars, the driver seems to make the comment that the steering wheel seemed large, especially in a sportsracer like a 917. So what’s “large” exactly? For example, 350mm seems a touch small in a 911, but might be huge in a sportsracer. Who knows, maybe they were really big, like street car sized.

Anyone know the answer to this?

Gary

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Give me a minute to go check the ones on my 917s in my garage.

I probably have it in a book at home, I'll look it up.

Superman · 07-17-2008, 01:55 PM

I don't know the answer to this, but want to take this opportunity to make an announcement. I attended the SOVREN races here a couple of weeks ago. I saw, and heard, and watched, and TOUCHED........a real 917. My life is now complete. I may never wash that hand again.

jtfreels · 07-17-2008, 02:08 PM

my 917 has a 370mm wheel

actually I think I read that somewhere. How is that for positive.

Jay

Augustus · 07-17-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

I don't know the answer to this, but want to take this opportunity to make an announcement. I attended the SOVREN races here a couple of weeks ago. I saw, and heard, and watched, and TOUCHED........a real 917. My life is now complete. I may never wash that hand again.

The hell with that! I want to OWN one........

Superman · 07-17-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Augustus

The hell with that! I want to OWN one........

I was unprepared for the sheer size of that engine. It is COLOSSAL.

4flyboy · 4flyboy's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

Give me a minute to go check the ones on my 917s in my garage.

I probably have it in a book at home, I'll look it up.

Paul I love the fact that you took it all the way and used the plural "917's" in the garage.

Beautiful Man,

Scott

Casket · 07-17-2008, 05:09 PM

I actually got to look at one with all the bodywork off in like ~1991 in Portland. It was with the Brumos team (I think). At any rate, I can remember being in awe of the motor and also somewhat appalled that that it wasn’t bigger. I was expecting something the size of a 962. The 917 seemed like just a motor, a drivers seat and a gas tank. …Very brave men drove those things.

At any rate, when I was gawking open mouthed at the car, it never occurred to me to look at something as mundane as its steering wheel. I couldn’t get my eyes off the motor….

So you guys are thinking big, like 370mm? That would be pretty big for a car that size.

Gary

jcge · 05:54 PM

(C) the owner of the image...not sure who you are....

Mr9146 · 07-17-2008, 07:22 PM

What vintage 917 are you referring to?

Casket · 07-17-2008, 08:31 PM

The ones I’ve read the comments about were the 1970-71 cars.

Gary

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

I was unprepared for the sheer size of that engine. It is COLOSSAL.

I beg to differ with you. THIS is COLOSSAL....

Mr9146 · 07-18-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efhughes3

I beg to differ with you. THIS is COLOSSAL....

But that one didn't run.

Superman · 07-18-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casket

The 917 seemed like just a motor, a drivers seat and a gas tank. …Very brave men drove those things.

Indeed. A 914 towers over a 917. The 917 was exactly as long as a driver, an engine and a transmission.

Yes. Brave men indeed. The astronauts were riding safer vehicles.

500_19B · 07-18-2008, 10:04 AM

As many records as the various 917 models ultimately set, the most impressive driving performance in one of these cars for me must have been Rolf Stommelen's 1969 lap at Le Mans of something like 3 min 22+ sec at an avg. of 148-ish mph - in the scary-handling version!

I cannot fathom the cajones it must of took to hustle that car at those kinds of speeds.

The 1970-and-on 917s weren't particularly dangerous in comparison to other race cars of the era, but by modern standards they are unbelievably dangerous.

Ooops, sorry, off topic! Do not know what the wheel diameter was, but it would be interesting to know how it compares to the typical 350 prototipo that we can buy.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4flyboy

Paul I love the fact that you took it all the way and used the plural "917's" in the garage.

Beautiful Man,

Scott

I had to. You see I have several. The wheel in my 917-30 is different than my 917LM. And my 917K and 917-10 are the same. Weird.

Wil Ferch · 07-18-2008, 01:34 PM

From the pictures I've come across,.. and the era...I am pretty sure they were 370mm. I doubt the 350mm Prototypo's were even available in 350 back then. Why not contact Momo as one source of info?.....

Casket · 07-18-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

Why not contact Momo as one source of info?.....

I hate to be cynical guy here, but based on stuff I’ve seen come out of certain companies recently, I’d be surprised if anyone you could actually talk to at Momo would even know what a 917 was.

On the other hand they could probably tell you about every car in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”.

Maybe I’m wrong. Or to put it another way, …I’d like to be wrong.

Gary

Augustus · 07-18-2008, 02:08 PM