Description
The Porsche 917 LH, also known as the Porsche 917 Langheck, is a race car that was developed by the German automaker Porsche in the late 1960s. It was specifically designed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, which it ultimately won in 1971.
The 917 LH was an evolution of the original Porsche 917, which had debuted in 1969. It featured a longer tail section, or “Langheck” in German, which improved the car’s aerodynamics and top speed on the long straights of the Le Mans circuit.
Under the hood, the 917 LH was powered by a 4.5-liter flat-12 engine that produced up to 600 horsepower, depending on the configuration. It also had a lightweight, spaceframe chassis and advanced suspension system, which made it highly competitive on the track.
The 917 LH made its Le Mans debut in 1970, but suffered from reliability issues and did not finish the race. However, Porsche continued to refine the car, and in 1971 it dominated the competition, finishing first, second, and third in the overall standings.
The 917 LH is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential race cars of all time, thanks to its combination of advanced engineering, innovative design, and sheer speed. Its success on the track also helped establish Porsche as a dominant force in international motorsports.
