Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche 917K Martini International "No.35", Watkins Glen 6h 1970
(Art. No. 20023807) http://bit.ly/1TLwQQ1
'We know that a racing car should just be white.'
Who, according to legend, said that? Ferdinand Piech, the then head of the Porsche 917 project, after seeing the finished 917-43. Because it was colorful. Very colorful. And very psychedelic. How did the hippie come about?
Well, the '70s were a... special time. There's a lot I could write about it, but I'll spare you that. Above all, the '70s were colorful. In every respect: culture, art, music, etc. And cars. Never again were everyday cars as colorful as they were between '68 and '78.
But how did the hippie 917 come about?
Well, strictly speaking, there are two Hippies: the 917 Longtail (917-43) and the later 917 Shorttail (917-21).
Hans-Dieter Dechent brought the aperitif manufacturer Martini into motorsport in 1969. Dechent, heir to a considerable fortune (the family was the largest OPEL dealer in Saarland), was himself a successful racing driver in various GT models, including those from Alfa, Abarth, and Porsche, but after the MARTINI-ROSSO deal, he concentrated on his duties as team boss. In 1970, Ferdinand Piech offered him a Porsche 917 Longtail for the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dechent jumped at the chance and gave the Porsche to the newly minted Porsche designer Anatole Lapine, who painted it in a psychedelic purple and green color scheme. Reportedly, 3,000 cans of paint were used in the process; other sources say 1,500. In any case, the car was a real eye-catcher, and it also finished the 24-hour race in second place.
A few weeks later, the organizers of the Six Hours of Watkins Glen in New York wanted a similar hippie Porsche for their race. And they got it in the form of a 917K from the MARTINI Racing team. The car, with the FG number 021, finished 9th with drivers Gerard Larrousse and Gjis Van Lennep.
Which brings us to the new Carrera release: This 917-21 is the current item number 30807. The 917 has enjoyed tremendous popularity in the 124 scene since its release. I'll spare you any driving reports, etc., as the car drives just as well as any other 917, and the workmanship is of the renowned high standard.
Incidentally, "The Hippie Car" was repainted yellow and red shortly after the race in the USA at the request of sponsor SHELL. This car was already released last year as item number 23807.
Best regards,
CoMod Lotus
(Art. No. 20023807) http://bit.ly/1TLwQQ1
'We know that a racing car should just be white.'
Who, according to legend, said that? Ferdinand Piech, the then head of the Porsche 917 project, after seeing the finished 917-43. Because it was colorful. Very colorful. And very psychedelic. How did the hippie come about?
Well, the '70s were a... special time. There's a lot I could write about it, but I'll spare you that. Above all, the '70s were colorful. In every respect: culture, art, music, etc. And cars. Never again were everyday cars as colorful as they were between '68 and '78.
But how did the hippie 917 come about?
Well, strictly speaking, there are two Hippies: the 917 Longtail (917-43) and the later 917 Shorttail (917-21).
Hans-Dieter Dechent brought the aperitif manufacturer Martini into motorsport in 1969. Dechent, heir to a considerable fortune (the family was the largest OPEL dealer in Saarland), was himself a successful racing driver in various GT models, including those from Alfa, Abarth, and Porsche, but after the MARTINI-ROSSO deal, he concentrated on his duties as team boss. In 1970, Ferdinand Piech offered him a Porsche 917 Longtail for the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dechent jumped at the chance and gave the Porsche to the newly minted Porsche designer Anatole Lapine, who painted it in a psychedelic purple and green color scheme. Reportedly, 3,000 cans of paint were used in the process; other sources say 1,500. In any case, the car was a real eye-catcher, and it also finished the 24-hour race in second place.
A few weeks later, the organizers of the Six Hours of Watkins Glen in New York wanted a similar hippie Porsche for their race. And they got it in the form of a 917K from the MARTINI Racing team. The car, with the FG number 021, finished 9th with drivers Gerard Larrousse and Gjis Van Lennep.
Which brings us to the new Carrera release: This 917-21 is the current item number 30807. The 917 has enjoyed tremendous popularity in the 124 scene since its release. I'll spare you any driving reports, etc., as the car drives just as well as any other 917, and the workmanship is of the renowned high standard.
Incidentally, "The Hippie Car" was repainted yellow and red shortly after the race in the USA at the request of sponsor SHELL. This car was already released last year as item number 23807.
Best regards,
CoMod Lotus
