Every manufacturer has its “halo car”, the car that defines its success on the racetrack during that perfect time in history. A time where restrictions on design and development were seemingly unlimited compared to today. The climate was different, racing was different, and Porsche was being prompted by the wins at LeMans by the likes of Ford & Ferrari, to compete at a higher level. Debuting at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1969, the 917 would be produced in approximately 12 different variants and it is estimated that 59-65 917’s were constructed through 1971.

The Irish poet, Oscar Wilde, once stated, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”.   As long as the most significant cars of our time have been produced, craftsman have been there, in all their flattery, to recreate them. Replicas, continuations, recreations, tool room copies, and the like have seemed to live in their own circles of the collector car world. Over the past few years however, the lines have been blurred and today these works of art & engineering share, in many instances, the same space as those they mimic.

The Australian manufacturer, Kraftwerk, produced only a handful of rolling chassis and bodies from original drawings and careful measurements of an original example. While little is publicly known or found about this particular builder, it is known amongst enthusiasts that the Kraftwerk LMK 917 is considered a top choice for those serious about acquiring a 917 recreation on the open market. Its first and current owner acquired chassis number LMK 917 021 in December of 2008 direct from Kraftwerk. It was immediately airfreighted to LA and then further to the renowned Porsche specialists at Patrick Motorsports of Phoenix, AZ. Patrick Motorsports would bridge the gap between a raw rolling chassis and a track ready masterpiece. Complete and detailed build records are available for review by clicking the “View Documents” button above.

This example is powered by a 993 power plant, the M64 3.8L Flat-Six which was taken down to just the block and rebuilt utilizing the best of the best. Such as Mahle Pistons & liners with 11:4:1 compression, Pauter Rods, GT2 oil pump, and an equally as high performance valve train with titanium retainers and racing valve springs. The cams are from an RS and the ignition is a twin plug with 12 individual Denso 580 coils. All being fed air and fuel through 6 individual throttle bodies. These many items are all tuned to work in harmony thanks to a MoTec ECU management system. The transmission is a Type 915 that has seen total rebuilding to match the output of the power plant as a reliable and capable unit.

Various one-off items have also been produced by Patrick Motorsports to accommodate the high level of quality-craftsmanship needed to make this car both perform and present as such. Items such as the Patrick Motorsports transaxle cooler developed with Setrab. Further collaborations specifically for this example include development with Fuel Safe for the fuel cell. Sticking to the road comes by way of correct-style center lock wheels wrapped Dunlop CR82’s with 11” wide in the front and 15” wide in the rear. Adjustable Koni shocks can be found on all 4 corners and a dual master cylinder feeds AP Racing calipers and rotors on all 4 corners as well.

The closer you look the more beautifully executed details you find. The clearer the quality becomes. Parts can be ordered, and things can be bolted together. However, the culmination of careful attention to detail, and efficient engineering, just like they did in Stuttgart in period, provides for an impressive result by Patrick Motorsports.

Finished in 2018, LMK 917, chassis number 021 has seen only track testing time for sorting and final completing with only heat cycles and the occasional careful local drive to keep it in turn key condition.

The Details