Porsche 917 EVO

Depending upon ones age, some of us inevitably played with toys or models of these while watching them race originally — or viewed them in the vintage racing world since. Fortunately as part of my past career, a few customers had several iterations of these (along with a 962) and they are memorable for use on the track and once I went down the road with a trip permit in the window.

Thus my version of the immortal 917 that I’d want (and for the street)

First it would have a bit longer wheelbase as the original has a tendency to porpoise a bit when dealing with bumps. It needs bigger door openings for normal sized people! The original nose is way too long and scrapes everything on a regular basis. Modern LED lights are mandatory. A re-sculpted tail as they are difficult at best to see out the back of and the downforce isn’t needed for the speeds of modern highways. I’d add modern Porsche 919 tires, wheels and modern brakes. Engine itself — a modern electronic fuel injected water-cooled 911-derived flat-6 with modern synchromesh gearbox as it works and they aren’t a maintenance nightmare like that original V12 air-cooled wonder engine with its quirky rubbery linkage gearbox. Air conditioning and a heater/defrost are mandatory. Mirrors would be cameras with LCD’s inside.

And of course a very simple color — no race track lipstick or war paint and definitely no garish graphics — who needs the extra visibility which would probably only attract the police…