Porsche 917/30 Spyder (Classic)
The Porsche 917/30 Spyder is one of the most outrageous race cars ever built, a brutal German Can-Am monster that turned the early 1970s into an all-out horsepower war. Designed to dominate unlimited-displacement sports car racing, it pairs a lightweight tubular chassis with a massive turbocharged flat-12 and enough boost to make even modern racers look tame.
Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)
Powertrain: 5.4L air-cooled 180° flat-12 twin-turbocharged engine, rear-mounted, longitudinal
Total Output: ~1,100 hp in race trim, with far higher boost settings possible in qualifying
Redline: ~8,000–8,500 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Weight: ~800 kg
Dimensions: ~4,650 mm long × 2,000 mm wide × 990 mm tall | Wheelbase ~2,700 mm
Tires: Wide vintage slicks on period racing wheels
Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes
Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
In the Simulator Feel
The 917/30 Spyder is a raw, violent, and deeply intimidating Classic prototype that rewards commitment and a delicate right foot. Its huge turbocharged power delivery can feel tame below boost, then arrive in an instant with a massive surge that can overwhelm the rear tires without warning. The chassis is light and communicative, but the car’s legendary power-to-weight ratio means throttle application is everything — especially on corner exit and over bumps.
Engine & Sound: The turbo flat-12 has a deep, mechanical howl underneath a ferocious boost whistle and blow-off chatter. It doesn’t sound refined so much as predatory, with a hard-edged, metallic scream as the revs rise and the turbos come on song. The sound in sim is part symphony, part threat.
Handling Characteristics:
Cornering: Nimble for its era, but you must keep it balanced. Too much steering or throttle can quickly lead to snap oversteer.
Traction: Extremely challenging under power; turbo boost can light up the rear tires in an instant.
Braking: Strong for the period, though stability under heavy braking depends on your confidence and setup.
Top Speed: Massive straight-line speed, with qualifying trim variants capable of truly shocking pace.
Driving Style Tip: Drive it with patience and respect. Short-shift if needed, build throttle progressively, and avoid abrupt inputs. It shines on long, flowing circuits where you can keep the car settled and let the engine stretch its legs.
Livery & Aesthetics: The 917/30 Spyder is pure period motorsport drama — low, wide, and aggressively functional, with huge rear bodywork, exposed race-car purpose, and unmistakable Porsche lines. In sim, it looks every bit like the apex of the Can-Am era: beautiful, menacing, and completely over the top.
Whether you're chasing vintage hot laps or just want to experience one of the most legendary turbo monsters in racing history, the Porsche 917/30 Spyder is an unforgettable sim car — outrageous power, iconic engineering, and absolutely no excuses.