I was 16 years old, living in Daytona Beach when Pedro Rodriguez drove the Gulf-Porsche 917 to victory in the 1971 24 Hours. After the race, the fans were allowed to come down to the pits and see the cars. Standing next to a 917 at idle is something I will never, ever forget. Your entire body vibrated to those 12 cylinders.
It must have been a crazy thing to do, driving such a soaring rocket 50 years ago... what an impressive machine. What a sound of an engine. Goosebumps!!!
These cars were capable of what, 240 mph at LeMans 50+ years ago? Amazing piece of equipment I'd say. And, one of the most iconic and evocative race cars to ever roll on our planet. Simply awesome.
I love seeing and hearing these classic race cars out on a track, they're no longer pushed to their limits but they are active and they are getting to amaze us all over again. Restoring classic cars and parking them in a museum is tragic. (BTW, I feel the same way about classic airplanes, they need to fly!)
Last weekend I saw the exact same car (#21 ; 015/035) here at the Historic Grand Prix demo in Holland. It was the first time for me to see (and hear) a 917. Video on my channel ;)
