When the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) - predecessor to the current Fédération Internationale Automobile - decided to limit firmly the cylinders of 3L prototypes as of 1972, we know that at Porsche its 917, dominator at Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) of Marques in 1970 and '71, had to seek other pastures. The choice led to the North American challenge CanAm, as the Stuttgart manufacturer was already preparing for the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Other than the long (LH) and short (K) versions, this 39th edition saw the appearance of a third extrapolation of the 917. Called the 917/20, it was the subject of a specific aerodynamics study destined to reduce drag, beneficial on bigger tracks...and a decoration that would send tongues wagging! At Porsche, they decided to pay tribute to Le Mans by giving this 917 an entirely pink livery, with pork meat cut-outs symbolized on the body by big red spots and a "der Trüffel-Jäger von Zuffenhausen" sticker ("the Zuffenhausen truffle seeker"). Entrusted to Willi Kauhsen and Reinhold Joest, it qualified in seventh position before being forced to retire shortly prior to mid-race even though it was fifth.

Entered in the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans under the moniker "pink pig," this very special 917 lets one admire its shape and other virtual meat cuts at the Stuttgart Porsche musuem. But its sole appearance at Le Mans allowed Porsche to design its 917 versions which reigned without equal in the Challenge CanAm in 1972 and '73.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: Copyright - ARCHIVES / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, FRIDAY JUNE 11 1971. For the race, the German names given to the pork cuts figured on the big red points already figuring on this 917/20 that became a part of history under the nickname "pink pig."