Kopf to Testa
Preparing for the new-for-1970 Group 5, (up to 5 litre engine capacity), sportscar class, the FIA announced in April 1968 that the number of cars required for homologation would be reduced from 50 to 25. Within two months, the Porsche board had agreed a go-ahead for the 917 project and Hans Mezger’s team began work on designing the type 912 flat 12 engine soon afterwards. A car was ready for presentation at the Geneva Salon in mid-March 1969. A successful inspection of 25 completed cars was carried out by the FIA at Zuffenhausen the following month, and homologation was confirmed, effective 1 st May. Left: 917 chassis #001 at the factory ready for shipping to Geneva, March 1969. Right: Presentation of the first 512S, November 1969 Ferrari shook off the demoralising defeats at the hands of Ford at Le Mans, 1966-69, and also decided to contest the revised racing category. Mauro Forghieri and his team had the first 512S ready for presentation in November 1...