Too beautiful, too powerful
In 1971, with multiple victories in endurance racing, Porsche looked to America to flex their muscle in the virtually unlimited Can-Am racing series. Dominated by V8 McLarens and shy of an effective turbo system, Porsche needed more power. And they found it, by way of the development of the 16 cylinder ‘Mezger Mule’.
Bigger, longer and heavier, the new engine resulted in an overwhelming level of horsepower, clocking 755hp on the dyno-sheet (with some 200hp more than the regular 12 cylinder), it was the most powerful normally aspirated engine Porsche have ever produced.
With its deft and minimal curves, open-cockpit and NACA ducts, the 917 prototype looked very much the part as the challenger prototype for the new series, yet the chassis coupled with this new engine was anything but; suffering from poor handling characteristics and uncontrollable dynamics. In the 917 Prototype, more - was too much. Ultimately, an incredible 880hp was to be reached from the 16 cylinder, and as Porsche found Can-Am successes with turbo-charging in later years, this beautiful, minimal, monster was retired to the Porsche Museum.
These images form part of the ‘Plain Body’ Series, an ongoing internal project by INK, combining the team’s automotive passion with artistic expression. Painted in white and devoid of roundels or other identifying stickers, the cars are broad down to basics, highlighting the raw essence of the vehicle’s design. Created entirely in CG, INK opted to frame a plain body against an ethereal white backdrop to make effortless, simple, and beloved design seem even more so.
Images © INK Studio