Porsche 917

A question for those have built these what color did you use for the wheels? The instructions say steel which is a little on the light side. I was thinking of a Gun Metal/Black mix. Any help would be appreciated.

Which livery?

Which livery?
I am building the Martini 1971 winner.

I painted the wheels flat black. Then I rubbed ground up pencil lead onto the wheels with my finger. Finally dust on a light coat of clear flat to keep it all in place.
Kurz

I am building the Martini 1971 winner.

That would be the white 917K then that won LeMans?

Reference photos seem to suggest the wheels are black.

That would be the white 917K then that won LeMans?

Reference photos seem to suggest the wheels are black.
Thanks Ray, Yes it is,I agree most pics of that car do look just like satin or flat black.

I have seen semi gloss black on most of these wheels, even at the actual 917 you speak of that was at the Rennsport Reunion this past November.

BTW - anyone know why the wheel spokes were painted the different patterns of red, white, and blue?

BTW - anyone know why the wheel spokes were painted the different patterns of red, white, and blue?

It was done for ease of identification between the different teams wheel sets, if you have the book Porsche 917: The Winning Formula by Peter Morgan it has a page in it with photos of the wheels and an explanation of why they did that.

If you don't have the book, I can scan the page and send it to you if you like.

If you don't have the book....buy it! It's worth it!
And if you have more money to spend get these two as well:

"Porsche 917 - the undercover story" by Gordon Wingrove

"Porsche 917 - The Heroes, the Victories, the Myth"
ISBN-13: 978-3927458260

...and don't pay the ridiculous prices sellers on amazon are asking right now!

Yes, Ray, please do send me a scan. I have the 'heros' book JayKay640 mentioned - excellent reference for exterior photos.

On my recent 917 build I tried to avoid using too much pure black. For the wheels I used Model Masters Exhaust Metalizer followed by a semi matt clear coat.

That's a very good point. Pure black should be left for washes and shadows.Even if a wheel is black, one drop of white (for exp.) will tone it down and allow shape to be seen once you touch it up with a black wash. Your eye will still see it as black. Figure painters do it all the time. The Idea of rubbing pencil lead on the high areas is the same. Paint 3D on parts to show shape and light.:2cents:

On my recent 917 build I tried to avoid using too much pure black. For the wheels I used Model Masters Exhaust Metalizer followed by a semi matt clear coat. Thanks, I didn't even think of that color. I usually only use that on insides of exhaust openings. I tried it with Testor's Semi-Gloss air brushed over it and it looks perfect. What color should the front inner fender well area be? The instructions say white like the rest of the chassis. I noticed some builds have it painted gray to match the interior.All help is greatly appreciated.

I'm building a Fujimi 917 and making the inside of the panels a raw fiberglass look. I'm painting flat white with a brush so there is some texture there, then applying a wash of ModelMaster #4573 wood until it gets that tan look. Does that sound about right for the inside of the panels?