There is a reason why it is known as "racing car of the century": the Porsche 917. From 1969 to 1975 this unique racing car seemed to have a standing order to take first place in the world championships and in Le Mans. Ferdinand Piëch's preface is the prelude to a book that, unlike any other book written about the Porsche 917, is based on factory documents only. As a you engineer, author Walter Näher was involved in the development of the Porsche 917 and serviced it in many races. His expert knowledge of this car enabled him to write the ultimate book about the Porsche 917 - a documentary that gives detailed descriptions of developments and test drives, and comprises the race reports as well. Many previously unpublished photos from the Porsche archive enhance this comprehensive and detailed book which, in the second part, minutely presents the story of each of the 64 Porsches 917 that where built. When in 1973 a Porsche 917 wins the Can-Am series for the second time, the Americans change the regulations - which leads to the disqualification of the Porsche 917 and thus to the end of a one time winning streak. This book is a must-have for Porsche 917 enthusiasts.

After knocking on the door for decades, Germany's Porsche finally stepped into the big time of international auto racing with its Type 917 in 1969. Its phenomenal air-cooled flat-12 engine powered the 917 to 15 wins in world sports-car championship races from 1969 to 1971, after which it was outlawed by a rules change. Included were two wins at Le Mans in 1970 and '71. First built in a series of 25 coupes that Volkswagen chief Ferdinand Piech called the biggest risk he's ever taken in business, the 917 was raced in both short- and long-tailed forms, pumping out 630 bhp by 1971. It went on to even greater glory in turbocharged roadster form in Can-Am racing as the 917/10, series champion in 1972. In '73 the incredible 1,000-horsepower 917/30 Porsche dominated the Can-Am series in the hands of Mark Donohue, who called it "the perfect racing car". The 917 stands proud in Porsche's history as the costly and daring machine that decisively ended the company's underdog status in international motor sport.

The Porsche 956 and the derivative 962 version dominated long-distance sports car racing on both sides of the Atlantic during the 1980s, both in European Group C racing and the American IMSA series. The car’s numerous successes included six consecutive victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours and four consecutive victories in the Daytona 24 Hours. This is a big book about a big subject, as these awesome machines raced competitively for 12 years and almost 150 of them were manufactured for use by factory and customer teams.

Forty years after its 1969 debut, racing fans still regard the Porsche 917 with awe as one the greatest sports cars ever built. In PORSCHE 917 X 17: THE CARS AND DRIVERS IN STUDIO, renowned automotive photographer and director Jeff Zwart follows up his award-winning book, 'Porsche Rennsport', with exquisitely rendered images of 17 of the most beautiful and historic 917s. Highlights include the first Porsche to win Le Mans overall, the 917K shared by Richard Attwood and Hans Hermann; the Gulf-Wyer 917K shared by Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver in 1971; and the notorious "Pink Pig" - a 917/20 that was raced just once by Willi Kauhsen in 1971. Using dramatic angles and controlled lighting, Zwart provides a fresh perspective on these iconic cars. He reveals each 917's distinctive characteristics and patina, and shows artful technical details from inside the cockpit, chassis, and engine compartments. These photographs are accompanied by engaging portraits and vivid recollections from 15 Porsche drivers - including Derek Bell, Vic Elford, Brian Redman, and Hurley Haywood - who look back on the anticipation, fear, and excitement they felt driving the 917. With its heavy matte art paper, spot varnish, metallic silver ink, and cloth-covered slipcase, the book's high-quality production is as lavish as Zwart's photography. Of all the recently published 917 books this one stands alone in offering Porschephiles an all-new take on the cars and drivers.

Looking back on 70 years of the legendary marque at one of the world's greatest races, Porsche at Le Mans is authoritatively written and packed with photos, history, and results.