1969 Porsche 917 PA Spyder

A Can-Am Success

CarshowClassic.com tells the story. 

While the Porsche 917 K became ineligible to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by 1972, this amazing Porsche series did not retire just yet. Because while it was inactive at the Le Mans, it was gaining a lot of attention in another continent. The 1969 Porsche 917 PA Spyder helped in that victory.

The 1970 and 1971 Le Mans proved that Porsche was indeed capable of creating-powerhouse cars that can moderate the road and beat the likes of Ferrari. 

However, it was not only in Europe (Le Mans was based in France) where the 917-dominated during that decade. Because after the 917 K proved its worth in Le Mans, a different kind-of Porsche 917 was creating a different kind of sensation across the globe.

The 1969 Porsche 917 PA Spyder was the North America-specific version of the highly successful Porsche 917. It made a debut on the North American race-tracks through the no defunct Canadian-American Challenge Cup, also known as the Can-Am. Making the Porsche 917 PA Spyder, however, was not really among the intentions of Porsche.-Instead, it was their California distributor Vasek Polak who pushed the company to create a 917 for-the 1969 Can-Am. During this time, this cup was only three years old, yet it was already becoming very popular-and, most importantly, very lucrative. It was also dominated by a likely car manufacturer—the-Chevrolet. With its McLarens built engine, it won the cup ever since it started. Polak wanted to-break this winning streak with the 917, which was easily one of the most promising cars made by-Porsche for the race track during that time.

The PA stands for Porsche-Audi, as Polak was also a distributor for Audi. The Porsche 917 PA Spyder was only minimally altered-due to the lack of time. The changes, in fact, were only made so the car would be able to race at-the Can-Am. The 1969 Porsche 917 PA Spyder was lighter than the original 917 by at least 50 kg due to the-roof and windscreen removal (the 917 PA is a spyder, after all). Its body was similar to the 908-Spyder, although it has an aluminum spaceframe chassis, quad-cam flat 12 4/5 liter engine. At 775 kg that can reach up to 580 bhp, the Porsche 917 PA Spyder was-certainly a beauty and a commendable car. 

But unfortunately, this was not enough. For three years, even with the Porsche 917-PA Spyder as competition, the Chevrolet team managed to win the Can-Am. Their victory was apparent, as their cars (starting with the McLaren M8D-Chevrolet) were clearly more powerful than the 1969 Porsche 917 PA Spyder. Until 1971, Chevrolet-predictably dominated the Can-Am, although the Porsche 917 PA Spyder continued to race for a number of years (making it the most-raced car in the competition).

All that changed in 1972. With the 917 now banned from competing at the Le Mans,-Porsche was able to update the Porsche 917 PA Spyder with something far more superior than even the-Chevrolets. This was the Porsche 917/10, which won the Can-Am in 1972. In 1973, Porsche’s victory continued with the Porsche 917/30KL. After Porsche-retired from the Can-Am, Chevrolet yet again dominated the Can-Am until it folded in 1986.