Nobody's Perfect - Le Mans 70's to 80's

People might think 24 Hours of Le Mans 1983 was replaced by a one-make racing while watching, since more than half of the cars classified at the finish line were Porsches, and they locked out nine of the top ten positions.

Porsche 962 at Le Mans 1987

24 Hours of Le Mans is probably the world's best-known auto race, runs annually since 1923. The car travels the greatest distance in a 24-hour period wins. The requirements of comprehensive performance made it a place to apply and show cutting-edge technologies. Porsche, has amassed a grand total of 19 victories, far more than any others.

The legendary Porsche 917 took victory for Porsche for the very first time at Le Mans in 1970. With genius Hans Mezger as chief engineer, 917 was developed in only ten months, the short tail version 917 K, was arguably the most recognisable 917 with a 4.5-litre flat-12 air-cooled engine, produces nearly 500 horsepower. Racing in the rain in 1970, only seven cars managed to complete after 24 hours, while Porsche made a clean sweep of all medals. One year after, Porsche defended its title while broke both mileage and top speed records. 

The original Porsche 917

Porsche 917 K at Le Mans 1970

Another famous variant is the 917/20 - the 'Pink Pig'. Its wider chassis and the lower nose gave a porcine look, in a humorous nod to the design, Porsche made the livery resembled a pig butcher chart with pink colour. It crashed out in the game but it still resides as a legend.

Porsche Pink Pig

Porsche came back in 1976 with its second car, the 936. Not surprisingly, it won in 1976, 1977, 1979 (with the 935 K3) and 1981.

Porsche 936

Time flies to 1980s, as mentioned previously, Porsche brought the 956 to the world, and secured 1 to 5 finish in Le Mans 1982. 1983 was even a year of pure dominance, plain and simple. The 956 proved itself by won almost all the honours, nine out of top ten positions, and it went onto win in the following 2 years before its twin, the 962 won in 1986 and 1987.

Nobody's Perfect - the most iconic victory poster, perhaps represents the massive Le Mans dominance for Porsche in the 1980s better than any other photograph.

Nobody's Perfect poster

Nine out of the top ten - Porsche at Le Mans 1983

References

Le Mans

24 Hours of Le Mans

Top 5 Porsche Le Mans Cars

Porsche at Le Mans - 1982 to 1987

Porsche 917: 1969 The First Season

NiceName "Pink Pig"