DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Hi,

I attended the recent launch of the new Cayman last week but what made my day was the presence of a very famous car, perhaps infamous!
David Piper's 917K (K short for Kurtz or short tail) which he had delivered new from the factory in 1969. The 4494cc 12 cylinder boxer engine produces 580hp @ 8,400rpm and is one of the most famous racing cars of all time.

This was a hi-tec car in 1969, it had a very light (42kg) space-frame chassis which was permanently filled with pressurised gas, to detect cracks in the welded structure. Driver safety was not a major consideration in those days though, the driver's feet were ahead of the front axle.

I'm sure you all know the story, or should I say stories but just in case (I'll be brief ):

Loaned by Piper to Solar Productions and painted in Gulf livery the number 21 Porsche 917K featured in the film Le Mans (1970). Unfortunately David Piper had a very nasty accident during the shooting and subsequently lost part of his leg, his sacrifice to the authenticity of the racing scenes was mentioned in the film's credits.





I believe this to be car no. 917-010. The car Steve McQueen drove in the film was 917-013. Amazingly the wrecked 917-10 car was considered so valuable it was rebuilt and won 3 times the following season (1971) at Daytona, Monza and Zeltweg.

More recently the car was the focus of a court case Piper v Hales. The racing driver/journalist Mark Hales while doing a piece for motoring magazines (Octane and others) buzzed the engine when the car "jumped out of gear" from the 5-speed box causing catastrophic engine damage. Hales was sued by David Piper for the rebuild costs. Sadly for Mr. Hales the subsequent rebuild/court costs were crippling after he lost the case. There's plenty to read about this all over the internet and motor magazines if you haven't already, also a "help fund" to stave off impending bankruptcy for Mark Hales.



























I'm not taking sides as we may never know all the facts but it's a shame that it went to court and with that in mind I contributed to Mark Hales cause and I wish him luck.

Cheers,
Paul

Is the car Hales 'buzzed' not a replica?

Not the original 917 one that Piper got in 1969..... (Piper owned an original and a rep I believe)

Different car.

Hi Jason,

I didn't know that, I had heard of the replica but sot seen anything in the print, it would explain quite a lot ha! although it's still bad news Mark Hales. I'll read some more.

You have me wondering if the above car is the real thing, though Porsche presented it as the no 10 chassis, reputed to be worth £5m.

Thanks for the info.
Paul

I thought David Piper sold it before the court case?

The car is kind of tarnished for me given the action against Mr Hales

paul284pt wrote:here's plenty to read about this all over the internet and motor magazines if you haven't already, also a "help fund" to stave off impending bankruptcy for Mark Hales.
I'm not taking sides as we may never know all the facts but it's a shame that it went to court and with that in mind I contributed to Mark Hales cause and I wish him luck.

Is there a link to the "help fund"?

paul284pt wrote:

is it just me or is the bodwork on the p155 relative to the wheels?

Hi davep,

Is there a link to the "help fund"?

Here is the link I used through Motorsport magazine, but Octane do one also (think it's same link to the fund). Also there are answers to what happens to the fund etc.

http://www.savethehales.com/

If the engine of the car that was over-revved was a replica, what on earth are replicas for? Would anyone shed a tear if a copy of the Mona Lisa had been fire damaged? I feel sorry for Hales, Piper who may be a decent chap (by some accounts) isn't exactly down to his last million and nothing good will ever come out of it.

Cheers,
Paul

'Replica' isn't quite true. From what i understand, it was a car built some years ago out of genuine 'spare' 917 parts. It's now sold and was on displayat the Autosport show this year, painted to replicate the 1970 Le Mans-winning car.