1975 Porsche 917/30 CAM2, 1975 World's Closed Course Speed Record, Mark Donohue

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manufacturer brand, id & category

Exoto 18184 (Legendary Racing Classic)

scale

1:18

color

Red / White with Decals

price

€256.48 (≈US$339.07)
ACM Club! price:
€243.66 (≈US$322.11)

shipping in approximately 10 days

The Model

The Can-Am Series Killer

It is perhaps the most powerful racing car to attack a road course; the most powerful racing car designed to travel more than a 1/4-mile at a time: the Porsche 917/30.

Its all-conquering twin-turbo flat-12 engine produced a reliable 1,100 bhp at 7,800 rpm and 19 psi of boost. For short bursts, the pilot could command a staggering 1,500 bhp by turning up the boost to a piston-melting 32 psi with the twist of a knob. Accompanying all this power is the handling of an F1 car!

Superlative detail and finish

Getting down close to our precision-engineered 1:18 scale Porsche replica will mesmerize even the most serious collector. It is so intricate you will swear that you can hear the thundering roar of the 5.4-liter power plant that lives within this classic Porsche Can-Am demon!

Special features include full opening parts to showcase an unprecedented level of furious detail: fully wired and plumbed flat-12 twin-turbo engine, water and oil cooling radiators in photo-etch, fully detailed cockpit, water pipes, hydraulic hoses, electrical wires, and much, much more...

Functioning features include:

- Hand assembled from over 350 scaled precision parts, many in photo etch and machined parts.

- Removable die cast frot and read body panels

- Opening doors

- Functioning steering and suspension with genuine coil srpings

- Highly detailed cockpit includes full plumbing compentry and fire system

- Shift linkage connected to transmission

- Simulated fiberglass parts

- Simulated light alloy tubular frame

- Highly detailed flat -12 engine fully wired and plumbed

- Fabric sear belts, photo etch metal hardware in a detailed cokpit

- Miniature Momo steering wheel, where Donohue worked his magic

- Seven feet of braided lines go into each 1:18 Porsche 917/30 replica

- Intricate and furious detail from oil cooler to aluminum space frame

- Real wire mesh to protect front radiator and unparalleled 11 step paint finish

- Tiny side mirrors on top the ventilated front fenders with rear wire mesh

- Simulated fiberglass parts including turning engine cooling fan and shroud

- Incredible detail in the front frame right down the weld marks

- Photo etch metal air deflectos and intricate rear wing support

- Genuine wire mesh and open air dutcts revealing oil cooling radiator

- Accurate multi link rear suspension ventilated discs and brake caliper

- Flexible air ducts, ventilated brake discs and genuine metal coil springs

The Original

1975 Porsche 917/30 CAM2, 1975 World's Closed Course Speed Record, Mark Donohue

Roger Penske had lured the multi-talented Mark Donohue out of retirement and back behind the wheel in 1975. One of the challenges placed before the gifted American driver was an attempt on the World Closed Course Speed Record set in 1974 by A.J. Foyt in his USAC Coyote on the 2.66-mile banked tri-oval at Talladega, Alabama.

Testing began in January '75 at Daytona, a similar tri-oval super speedway. Big engine problems were revealed immediately. The flat-12 engine, a 5.4-liter turbo-charged unit, had been designed for road racing, not for the sustained high revs of oval racing. As a result, overheating destroyed two or three engines before factory Porsche engineers were called in. After a great deal of development and testing, a pair of massive intercoolers were fitted. It was still touch-and-go, but it would have to do!

On August 9, during a break in the regular Talladega 500 activities, Donohue was released for the official attempt. Time was running short and so there was no time for a proper cool-down lap when Mark brought the 917/30 in for some last-second adjustments. A brief fire was extinguished, adjustment made, and back out on track on his second lap, the record was smashed! The official 221.160mph record stood in the United States for 11 years before Rick Mears finally took it away driving an Indy car.

( Courtesy of exoto.com )