Porsche 917K Junior Child's Car

• Faithful tribute to the iconic 917 'Kurzheck' Porsche
• 72% life size
• Hand made in the UK
• 230cc electric-start Honda engine
• Hydraulic brakes

The FIA's changes to the rules for international sports car racing would result in one of the most famous sports prototypes of all time: the iconic Porsche 917K. Porsche green-lighted the project when the minimum number of cars required for the 5-litre class was reduced from 50 to 25, and development began in 1968. All of Porsche's previous road and competition cars had been air cooled, so this was adopted for the 917's flat-12 engine, which in its initial form used the cylinders and pistons from the eight-cylinder 3.0-litre 908 for a capacity of 4.5 litres. A reliable 590bhp was available by the end of 1969, while the later, full 5.0-litre units produced 630 horsepower. The original five-speed gearbox being disliked by the drivers (it had a narrow gate), a more easily managed four-speed unit was usually preferred.

The engine and transmission went into a tubular steel chassis, and in its original langheck (long-tail) form the 917 featured extended rear bodywork. The latter was not a success, although the Elford/Attwood 917 long-tail came close to winning the 1969 Le Mans, and it would take time before Porsche arrived at the definitive kurzheck (short-tail) design that it would use from 1970 onwards. By this time Porsche had contracted the works racing programme to John Wyer's Gulf Oil-sponsored J W Automotive team, while Porsche Konstruktionen of Salzburg, Austria ran its own 917Ks. Over the course of the 1970 and 1971 seasons, the Porsche 917 dominated international sports car racing, winning an unprecedented 14 races in total: 11 going to the JWA cars, two to Martini International, and one to Porsche Konstruktionen.

Given the Porsche 917K's exceptional competition pedigree, not to mention its gorgeous lines, what child would not be delighted to drive one of these wonderful cars? This car was developed using a 3D scan of the original 1970 Porsche 917, chassis '917.026' with Gulf livery. Hand made in the United Kingdom, the 917K Junior features engineering worthy of a full-size car, simply scaled down to 72% life size. Finished in Porsche Gulf livery, the Junior is powered by a key-start, 230cc, 9bhp Honda petrol engine and is capable of speeds of up to 45km/h (28mph). Hydraulic brakes bring the car to a stop. The 917 Junior will suit drivers from as young as five years old up to fully grown adults (with the child's seat removed). Top Gear magazine said it 'was the best toy car ever built'.