Autoblog

Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine [UPDATE]

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Etc., Government/Legal, Porsche, Earnings/Financials, UK

Racecars blow engines all the time, but a Porsche 917 isn't just a run-of-the-mill racecar. British automotive writer Mark Hales reportedly borrowed a 917 from 82-year-old former Formula One racer David Piper for a magazine article, and mechanical tragedy ensued. Nobody is arguing that the engine failed after being spun to 8,200 rpm. However, Hales was warned not to exceed 7,000 rpm, says owner Piper, and the affair landed in English courts with Piper seeking £50,000 - over $79,000 US - in reimbursement funds for an engine rebuild and loss of use of the car while it was being repaired. Judge Simon Brown ruled in favor of car owner Piper, putting Hales on the hook for £110,000 ($174,000) including legal fees - a whole lot of money in any language.

Hales says the Porsche suffered a mechanical fault while lapping that allowed it to slip out of gear and over-rev. Piper wasn't convinced, and sought to have the repair paid for by the guy who broke the racer, saying "If you bend it, you mend it." It's not like Hales is a novice driver, having seat time in both professional and amateur races over 30 years, notching about 150 wins, but even the best drivers sometimes miss a shift, and that's what Piper contended happened to his car.

According to reports, Hales has had to sell most of his valuables to pay his lawyers and is now facing bankruptcy with the ruling against him. Members of the Pistonheads website are trying to coordinate a collection to help him out, as well.

UPDATE: Images of David Piper's actual 1970 Porsche 917 added thanks to Autoblog reader Bill Ibsen of Porsche Club of America. Thanks, Bill!

Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1970 Porsche 917/LH makes rare trip from Porsche Museum to New York

Noah Joseph — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Classics, Coupe, Porsche, Racing

There have been a number of iconic racing liveries over the course of history - JPS and Gulf spring immediately to mind - and every historic racing fan has his or her favorite. But few are as downright awesome as Martini. The Italian vermouth label has sponsored everything from Lancias to Fords, but many of its very awesomest have been Porsches. Like this bitchin' 917/LH.

This long-tail version (Langheck in German) of the all-conquering 917 racer was fielded twice at Le Mans: once by Porsche Salzburg in 1970, and once by Martini Racing (which gave it its enduring paintjob) in 1971. It qualified first and second at those respective runnings, but proved fragile over the course of the 24-hour race and failed to finish both times.

The overall results don't mean that this isn't a devastatingly beautiful example of motor racing history, or that it's anything less than priceless. Better check it out in our gallery of images from the show floor before it's secreted back off to Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

1970 Porsche 917/LH makes rare trip from Porsche Museum to New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Million-dollar Porsches highlight record-breaking Gooding & Company Amelia Island auction

Drew Phillips — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Porsche, Earnings/Financials, Racing

When we initially reported on the incredible Drendel Family Porsche collection that would be up for sale at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island auction, we figured that many of the cars would command impressive sums. Now that it's over, we doubt that even the auction house could have guessed just how successful the sale could be.

Held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours in the beginning of March, the auction smashed eleven world records for Porsches. A 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder broke the record for both the most expensive Porsche and a 917 at $4.4 million, a 1955 Porsche 550 dropped the hammer at a record $3.685 million, and a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo sold for $3.245 million. Other records broken include top prices for a Porsche 935, 962, 911 GT1, 906, 934, 924, 968 and 944. In total, ten cars sold for more than a million dollars, and all sales combined for a final sum of $36 million.

See below for more details on Gooding & Company's 2012 Amelia Island auction as well as a full list of the most expensive cars sold.

Continue reading Million-dollar Porsches highlight record-breaking Gooding & Company Amelia Island auction

Million-dollar Porsches highlight record-breaking Gooding & Company Amelia Island auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Making the Porsche Rennsport Reunion family photo

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos, Porsche, Racing

If you're a Porsche fan, there were enough precious metals at this weekend's Rennsport Reunion IV to put a flutter of butterflies in the sturdiest of stomachs. The company naturally made sure to capture the moment, and just as naturally, it wasn't any mere point-and-shoot affair.

For a gorgeous time-lapse look at how 40 vintage Porsche racers (including 911s, 935s, 917s, 962s and 956s) posed for the camera in the California sun, the rest of the story is in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Making the Porsche Rennsport Reunion family photo

Making the Porsche Rennsport Reunion family photo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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