This Convincing Porsche 917K Replica Is A Tempting Buy

In the world of Le Mans 24 Hours race winners, few are as iconic, revered or lusted over quite like the Porsche 917K.

Produced in a range of variations over its racing career, the 917 used a flat-12 engine delivering upwards of 1,000 hp in Cam-Am series configuration. Among the most recognizable are the few examples adorned with Gulf Racing liveries and if you want one, a price well into eight figures would be easily reached.

Thankfully, you don’t need that much money to turn heads like an original 917K as a rather convincing replica is currently up for sale on eBay for a touch under 100,000 pounds ($124,000).

This particular replica was built in 2003-2004 and isn’t a garage queen that could fall apart at any moment, like many replicas. Instead, it has actually raced multiple times, the first of which was at the Spa 6 Hour meeting in September 2005. Since then, the seller says it has been featured in a selection of magazines and motor shows, once walking away with second in class at a Concours de Elegance event.

What’s more, it is asserted that the car is used by Gulf Oil International itself for a selection of publicity events.

While it doesn’t have a flat-12 engine like the original, it does have a Porsche engine, albeit a 3.6-liter six-cylinder from the 964. No specific power figures have been listed but it apparently delivers over 300 hp, thanks in part to the custom cylinders, pistons, rings and aftermarket ECU.

As replicas go, this is one of the finest we’ve seen recently. Hell, even we’re tempted by it.