1/8 Porsche 917K

[ScratchBuilt]

Hello to you all.

Okay - I promise this is the last completed 1/8 scratch-built you'll see from me until the current 908/03 is finished!

This was my first non-Formula Ford project, and where my enthusiasm for their 1970's sports-racers began - a Porsche 917K. Built between June 2004 and June 2006, it was about 1300 hours of work (I kept a record...) and quite a learning process. Everything about it was bigger and more complicated than on my previous projects, so I had to adjust my methods and techniques accordingly.









For the first half of the build I wasn't sure how I was going to tackle the bodywork - at this point I had no experience of working with fibreglass. I made a foam / filler buck (which took about 90 hours alone) and tried various non-fibreglass methods (plasticard, thin cardboard, etc), none of which worked. Making the outline of the bodywork from soldered-together wire, however, solved the problem - the detail beneath the skin is what makes these cars so interesting, and it seemed a shame to have it hidden away. After making the 917-10, I think a full fibreglass shell is a possibility, but that then creates the problem of how to mould the screen and headlight covers, etc...









As with all my other cars, it's a mixture of plastic tube of various sizes, strip, sheet, wire, RC-car wheels (modified), etc. The extra roll-hoop at the front of the engine bay is made from a length of race-car fire-extinguisher hose: it's plastic-coated with a metal core which allows it to bend and hold a shape - perfect!

The main suspension components are fully articulated using RC-car joints and scratch-built pivots - same as on the 917-10. On this one I didn't have to go overboard with the ribbing details on the brake calipers or gearbox casing - for 1969 and 1970 the originals didn't have so many as on the later cars. The brake discs weren't drilled, either, on the first cars.

I had to fudge a few things as a result of the wire-body. For example, I had to create a partial structure behind the front wheels to finish off the cockpit interior, but in reality this would flow into the front bodywork section.

Since making this one, there's been several really good 917 books released - most of which would have been ideal reference material had I had them at the time! There's plenty of things here I'd do differently now, but with these projects I just have to move on - I'm not sure I could do another 917 at the moment (unless there was a really good reason...)

Anyway, I hope you like it.

ScratchBuilt

[ales]

Daym!

[rhb]

Finaly a 917 without all the plastic. That's what it is all about and you can see it. Great job.

mvgrijk

[cinqster]

Stunning!

[RallyRaider]

You sir, are an artist.

[Twowheelsrule]

With a different background that car could pass for a real car build! Very nicely done!

TW

[stevegt738]

That is incredible. It would have been a shame too cover up all that work.

[jano11]

Impressive!
I love the bare mechanical presentation.

[Raceman]

Where did you get the parts from in that Scale?

[ScratchBuilt]

Uh...sorry Raceman, it's all built from scratch - the only parts I didn't make myself were the wheel centres (RC car wheels), but even these had to be modified and built-up to get the right look.

Hope you like it, though!

ScratchBuilt

[dmacb]

Bodyless is the way to go. An excellent piece of work!

[blackf40]

You've captured the sheer purposeful functionality of a race car. 917s were famous and infamous for a reason--it's all engine!