<DIV><DIV> <p class="MsoNormal">The story of the Porsche&rsquo;s development of the 917 is a rich account of how a small but dedicated band of engineers undertook to produce a race car that went on to set records that to this day have not been bettered. Designed to win the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours race, Porsche finally stepped into the big time of international auto racing with its Type 917 in 1969. Its phenomenal air-cooled flat-12 engine powered the 917 to 15 wins in world sports-car championship races from 1969 to 1971 including two wins at Le Mans in 1970 and 71, after which it was outlawed by a rules change. First built in a series of 25 coupes that Volkswagen chief Ferdinand Piech called the biggest risk he&rsquo;s ever taken in business, the 917 was raced in both short- and long-tailed forms. &nbsp;Today the Porsche 917 is recognized as the car that ended Porsche&rsquo;s&nbsp;underdog&nbsp;status in international motor sport.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> </DIV>