Derek Bell and the Porsche 917-032 by PS Automobile

In this exclusive interview at PCOA Amelia 2023, racing legend Derek Bell delves into his illustrious career and his time behind the wheel of the iconic Porsche 917, specifically the 917-32. This very car, once owned and used by Porsche for extensive aerodynamic development and testing, was driven by Bell himself. Developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Porsche 917 remains a symbol of unmatched speed and track performance. With its flat-12 engine reaching speeds beyond 250 mph, it's the first Porsche to claim overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its unique aerodynamics and engineering not only set it apart on the racetrack but have cemented its legacy in motorsport history.
This car is currently for sale. A true unique opportunity to own a important piece of motorsport history. For more information mail to [e-mail].
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[@azguitar]

Two legends here.

[@PSAutomobile-un4mb]

You got it! Also check out the other documentary of the 917-32 on our channel, englisch subtitles are available: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipyrYapvZ9GSa7ssi=oSLSbh36r39VbrlK

[@kestrel09]

Legends who drove dangerous monsters!

[@mauriceclemens3286]

I had a short conversation with Mr Bell at the Charlotte GTP race. What a nice gentleman. Here he’s a LeMans winner and he spent time talking to me in the Paddock area. There were press all over,most were talking to Al Holbert his team mate. Derek is to this day is one of my all time racing heroes.

[@richardley9630]

I had gotten his autograph in Charlotte

[@alanbundy9895]

My older brother and I met him at Mid-Ohio back in the IMSA gt era and he was every bit of a gentleman and answered all of our questions

[@calsurflance5598]

Derek Bell; the driver’s driver. My son and I met him a few years ago at Leguna Seca. He told us this story of testing at 246 mph. Very pleasant gentleman and very generous with his time. 5 LeMans wins and 3 24 hours of Daytona wins!

[@brianhomka290]

"5 LeMans wins and 3 24 hours of Daytona wins!" Think about it, a movie with that story line would be labelled "far fetched."

[@thethirdman225]

It doesn’t take a lot of research to find that the ‘246 mph’ claim is wrong. It was also - supposedly - for the Langheck. It’s the result of a miscalculation.

[@markpass4215]

Oh really so Porsche’s own website which claims the top speed for the 917 was 385 kph is wrong…the Can am versions were slower

[@thethirdman225]

@@markpass4215 *_"Oh really so Porsche’s own website which claims the top speed for the 917 was 385 kph is wrong…"_* That's right. The highest speed ever recorded for a 917LH was 362 km/h in 1971. That can be found through the AOC who own and operate the speed trap. The fastest Ferrari was recorded at 359 km/h. I have been aware of the claims about the 917's reputed top speed for almost 50 years. Every story is different. It was Derek Bell. No, it was Jackie Oliver and it was at night. No it wasn't, it was Vic Elford. The problem is that the calculation mentioned here is not a real figure. Furthermore, there is an error in it. Given that Norbert Singer had a lot on his mind at the time, I'd say a simple and inconsequential error is of no importance. So, what happened? Singer did the calculations using RPM and gearing to figure out the peripheral rotational speed of the tyre. Added to it was the growth factor of the tyre at maximum rotational speed. What he left out was tyre slip. A generally accepted figure for slip is about 10%. That means a powered wheel will take 11 rotations to travel the same distance as an unpowered wheel of the same diameter would. Ergo, there's a 10% error. The claim is 396 km/h. Divide that by 11 and multiply by 10 and you get 360 km/h. Maximum speed ever recorded was 362. The error of 2 km/h is not significant so 362 is probably the fastest the 917LH ever went. The AOC owns and operates the speed trap and has done since 1961. These are the same people who recorded the Sauber C9 at 400 km/h and the Peugeot at 405 km/h. Both of those cars were putting out better than 800 hp. The 917 was making about 620 in 1971. The 917/30 was a totally different car and while it helps the world closed course speed record which was set at Talladega in 1975 at 356 km/h but that was an average speed. I appears there was no top speed recorded. But just in case anyone is getting jaded, 362 km/h is still bloody fast. And in case you're wondering, nobody is saying anyone was lying or incompetent or anything like that. It's genuinely believed.

[@calsurflance5598]

Wow guys! I was just relaying a very pleasant conversation between a very well known driver and my son and I . It was a great experience to be able to spend a little time with this gentleman and see my son and he have meaningful dialogue. Everyone take a breath and put your calculators away. It all happened a long time ago, so just enjoy the story.🤦🏼‍♂️

[@kenelvery6308]

In March 1971 I had the great technical pleasure of being appointed Gulf Oil Racing Products Engineer for Europe, reporting directly to John Wyer and John Horsman at JW Automotive Engineering, UK, this lasting until the end of 1975. I was introduced to the complete team and drivers at the Le Mans practice weekend in 1971, where I first met Derek Bell. I developed a huge respect for his capability and skills as driver throughout the following 5 years. We have remained in touch by e-mail since then. Working out of the Gulf Oil technical service laboratory at Rotterdam I attended all the Gulf teams races in those epic years with the Gulf-Porsche and later Gulf-Mirage programmes. Fine memories from great times past. Dordrecht, The Netherlands

[@paulreilly3904]

That's absolutely marvellous. I'm so glad you had such a relationship and what a great career and a great time to be alive. I was born just a bit too late. Thank you so much for sharing. You have added value. Best Wishes from the UK.

[@johnnymproduction]

Congrats to Derek Bell for having had such an admirable and splendid racing career driving for Porsche!

[@ArtyomEtc]

"Le Mans" movie. 1971. Cast. Actual drivers. Derek Bell and other masters of speed.

[@spikespa5208]

Was a race fan in general in 8th grade. Saw Le Mans and was a fanatic after. Followed Bell's career and loved that car.

[@tonywilson4713]

Did either of you notice the photo at 2:32?? I had to stop the vid at that point to see where Derek is because its not that obvious due to it being a bit blurry. He's 5th from the right just behind Steve McQueen. That must be a photo from the making of the film _"Le Mans."_

[@ArtyomEtc]

@@tonywilson4713 Yes. It's him. There are other photos of that kind. Google search -> photos.

[@marks7197]

There are some behind the scenes photos of the Le Mans movie in a ACO/FIA book I have. It includes Bell wearing the Erich Stahler embroidered race suit, Bell was of course a factory Ferrari driver in 1970 and used to driving the 512s and shared the no.7 factory entry with Ronnie Peterson. Vic Elford's book has some great photos too.

[@scotto6120]

Documentary well done.

[@PSAutomobile-un4mb]

Also check out the other documentary of the 917-32 on our channel, englisch subtitles are available: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipyrYapvZ9GSa7ssi=oSLSbh36r39VbrlK

[@KBFM2564]

Lovely video. Thanks for posting. Always appreciate being able to listen to Mr. Bell.

[@hankshobbies]

One amazing human and one amazing car to be able to see both a dream

[@skynetsworld]

when you get goosebumps simply by looking at a car 🤩

[@avtradewell]

I met Mr Bell at this years Goodwood F.O.S and asked him for a selfie ,he couldn't have been more approachable ,what a driver, what a gentleman 👏

[@robertharris7027]

Two of my heroes when I was a kid: The car and THIS man.

[@jakkovaningen8350]

Fabulous video, thank you so much!

[@caprise-music6722]

This is so great. It’s important to capture these legends on film before they are gone. Thank you. And boy! What a machine!

[@AmericasChoice]

Derek is humble. He was a great racer, easy on the car and kept it between the lines. That is why Ickx liked being paired with him. The car would come back the way it went out.

[@trance9158]

Love that 917... It's so small when he sits by it... Man to drive that back in the day had to be insane. Donahue was and is my favorite driver although Bell is one of the greatest.

[@tonywilson4713]

Yeah that was the first thing I noticed - how small the 917 actually is considering the size of the engine. The 2nd thing I noticed was that black and white photo at 2:32. I had to stop the vid at that point to see where Derek is because its not that obvious due to it being a bit blurry. He's 5th from the right just behind Steve McQueen. That must be a phot from the making of the film _"Le Mans."_

[@robinoconnor1203]

The Driver and car are both legends. I like the way Porsche built such an amazing car, then fitted some generic trailer lights at the rear, function over form.

[@carpballet]

@@Bebtelovimab meh. If that’s all one remembers seeing after being overtaken so quickly. Probably should have had a cartoon Road Runner etched into them.

[@alexandervanwyk7669]

its just a stupid light bar in order to drive it to the shows, man.

[@jkim6200]

Derek Bell, along with his contemporaries, Hans Stuck, Jochen Mass, and later-commentator DAvid Hobbs raced in the exciting era of 70s and 80s sports car racing. 917 being s darling of the 70s.

[@Porsche996driver]

Love that, he’s a survivor! Remember when he used to race in SPEED channel GT driving Audis or 911 or whatever ha, always around the top. I met him at Porsche Reunion in 2012 Laguna Seca hanging with Brian Redman who thoroughly raced a few 917s earlier that day.

[@miichaelneri4687]

Got to meet Derek back in 81 at Sebring when he co drove with my cousin Craig for Bob Akin in the no.5 Coca Cola Porsche. A real nice guy and a great driver.

[@davidduro974]

A Real Gentleman and a real race driver with one of the Most Beautiful race cars ever bulit

[@Christoffski]

What a hero and what a car.

[@spiroskatsikas]

Great video really injoyed it thank you .lost generation 😊

[@robbey300]

Watched Derek many times at Le Man’s in the 1970s when Paul Newman, Jackie Icyx raced all night 4pm - 4pm. Derek is a lovely guy and we see him at our local pub!

[@vincentsouchaud6717]

*Jacky Ickx.

[@toddkvamme]

The 246mph story...heard it so many times. Great story every time!

[@user-sg6xv2kb8s]

Awesome. I saw Derek Bell at the airport waiting for a flight to the States in 2002. He looked cool as a cucumber. He was in the business class line that boarded first. Wonderful racer from the golden era.

[@paulricketts1089]

....my all-time favorite car..........period.................

[@oscardriver]

I’ve met this legend a couple of weeks ago. Mr Bell is truly a genuine man and gentleman. Legendary human. ❤️

[@MindDezign]

I'm just as nostalgic,over these cars. We havet had so many 917 videos, all these yrs. And now they are so well done!

[@CarlFausett]

I've had the good fortune to meet him on two occasions. What a wonderful, not-full-of-himself, person. And with his accomplishments, he certainly could be! He was as quick to answer a question with a thoughtful answer as he was to listen without interruption. A fine man.

[@toml.1408]

I've got to tell you an amazing and true story about the 1971 Gulf Porsche 917LH cars #17 and #18. In 1973, in the weeks before the Riverside California Can-Am race, the Porsche race car hauler was parked in the back of the Vasek Polak dealership at 356 South Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach and Mark Donohue's Can-Am Porsche was being worked on in the back. I spent many hours hanging around hoping to meet Mr. Donohue. That never happened. What did happen was I was invited by an employee of the dealership to see something of interest. We walked to an area that had an object covered by a large tarp. Upon pulling the tarp away I discovered BOTH 1971 Le Mans Porsche 917LH race cars #17 and #18. They were in exceptionally bad shape with all the fiberglass panels ripped, torn and very dirty. Both cars looked like they were ready to be scrapped. Still, I was flabbergasted to see them in person. About a month later I went back with a camera and they were gone!!! No one at the dealership knew anything about them. Well, I know what I saw. I wish someone who worked at the dealership saw the same cars that I did. I wish I knew why they were suddenly removed, and where they went in 1973. It is possible one of them was repainted and redone to look like a 1970 Porsche 917.

[@daveblock4061]

I sat in Derek Bell's IMSA Lowenbrau Special 962C Car #1 at Al Holbert's Shop. In the Sprint races they ran 2 cars, the usual #14 was driven by Al and the other for Derek was the #1. I used to go to the enduros at Watkins Glen in the 80s and saw these remarkable machines dominate.

[@Steven91637]

Amazing Video I got Goosebumps

[@jimlucas3872]

Thank you so much for posting this. It is absolutely incredible thank you !!!!!

[@GpunktHartman]

The funny fact is: the Taillight for 917 still in production for trailers a.s.o. ... =-> Hella ... because that is where they are from 😊

[@ssnerd583]

"....maybe better not to know how fast you were going....." Bloody hell.......lol

[@91Redmist]

Met him at Mid Ohio in the early 2000s when he was competing in World Challenge touring cars for Audi. What a thrill it was to meet a true legend. And what a nice guy, too.

[@jaws6869]

Met him at goodwood when my freind asked for his autograph, he chatted with us for a few minutes. As others have said ,a relaxed gentleman , generous with his time.

[@niosanfrancisco]

The gentleman - Mr. Derek Bell

[@cesarefiderio1634]

Macchina leggendaria, vincente nel passato, ambita nel presente, proiettata sempre...nel Futuro!!!

[@edmaguire1012]

You're one of my hero Derek! Carry on lad!

[@jasondunken]

I sat across from Derek in a GrandAm catering tent during lunch back in '02. I asked him if a fish was an animal and he said no. Good times.

[@ITProjectManagerMan]

Awesome video, takes me back to the Glory Days. Brave Men drove these cars to the limit.

[@user-kt8dy7pc8n]

Bell is a class act through and through

[@trance9158]

Driving a 917....the ultimate job.

[@JURacing]

The 917 looks amazingly beautiful in pure white. Derek Bett seems like a very nice chap. I hope he often gets the chance to drive 'his' 917 again.

[@nicolaasjansevanrensburg7543]

Looking great in white + love the 917k version( gulf colors)

[@dappergent9422]

What a great story. Stunning, beautiful car. Did anybody notice the wooden gear knob at 4:18? Im sure this was used on the Carrera GT.

[@512bb]

Mr. Bell, a true treasure as a racer & a man...Thank you Sir.

[@bobsmoot8454]

It always amazes me just how small these cars, like Ford GT40s, almost like a parody of a race car, but it’s success across many racing series is staggering

[@Steven91637]

Porsche 917 for me with the Sauber Benz C9 and C11 the best Race Car ever.

[@mecano572]

Duas lendas, uma câmera e uma ideia na cabeça! obrigado Derek!!

[@alexandervanwyk7669]

At that stage I was just 14 years old. Remember it all so well at the Kyalami, SA. Still getting goosebumps.

[@simewood2040]

What a legend. And the humility too. I would love to have heard what that car did to the body lap after lap. Barely more comfortable than an old superbike, methinks.

[@s.m.h.7480]

Great piece on the Porsche 917 and especially Derek bells. Insight into driving it and how it affected his career would’ve really like to meet this guy who knows maybe in the future.

[@user-zx8qq1so7j]

There was nothing I wouldn't have done to find a ride like you had, I built my own roundy round stock cars and did that for a while but would read about Mr Bell in those wild looking machines that driving would have meant you hit the big time. Must be quite the charge still being around and taking her for a spin, for old time sakes. Lucky You..

[@KillrMillr7]

I remember Derek Bell, all those British racers with modern looking cars. There was a big change in car designs from the 60’s. I can hear Jackie Stewart calling races, lol.

[@Profabdesigns]

I just love the raspy sound of that flat 12 engine. I have only seen 1 in my life, at the Long Beach GP back in early 80’s I think the nostalgia class? I told my dad I wanted one of those. He just laughed.

[@brianhomka290]

First time here...SUBSCRIBED!

[@PSAutomobile-un4mb]

Thanks! There is more to come on this channel, stay tuned!

[@paxwallace8324]

246 legendary just legendary

[@LaurieVogt]

A gracious, somewhat humble man

[@jgraham8248]

Loved watching Derek Bell at Road Atlanta along with Al Holbert! What an era!

[@beaujeste1]

Love Derek - what a bloke. Once met him at the 12 Heures de Wisborough Green Lawnmower race.

[@roccofortura2468]

Amazing story, thank you Derek.

[@michaellorenzen8200]

even as a young American boy every time I would hear the name Derek Bell I got excited ! thanks to my grandfather who had a Porsche 911 as his daily driver

[@stefanhopf]

Good video !

[@PSAutomobile-un4mb]

Stay tuned, there is more to come on this channel!

[@martinzoellner6115]

Legenden...beide. ich sah den 917 als Kind und war seitdem begeistert von Porsche

[@AlCcesar]

Wonderful !

[@luiztambor3730]

Good times, like never before, and never again!

[@stevecanyon23]

Thanks a lot for sharing this story. I believe this gentleman would still be able to show the ropes to young drivers, especially in this beast!

[@kirtshore1429]

Thank you Derek.

[@georgeshumate8174]

246 mph, in 1972 !!

[@jamestregler1584]

Good to see you sir from old New Orleans

[@renatomartelossi3051]

extremally beautifull car

[@fernandogagliardo6618]

This car is beautiful like a wonderful bride and Derek is simply a Legend. Porsche like Ferrari... 💕💕💕💕

[@jamesharcombe45]

A great car, and a great man. Thank you for the video.

[@MichaelG1986]

Terrific video. Drivers then were a different breed. Almost 250 mph in a car like that.

[@bernardausterberry9795]

How fantastic to have such a long and successful career. Truely a storied life. You were so lucky to be in what I feel was the golden age of endurance racing. So many beautiful and lasting designs. I always felt endurance racing never got the respect it deserves. Serving a much more practical history of automotive development. Thank You.

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

When folk say "what's the best Porsche ever made?" I always say the 917K, unequivocally. Agreed the Mazda 787B makes a phenomenal sound, but this is the car that paved its pathway. Derek is absolutely unbelievable and what a record. Amazing to think his 1993 winning McLaren F1 GTR was probably slower than that 917LH he clocked 246MPH in....

[@scottrussell2281]

Most racing drivers can only DREAM of having the career Derek Bell enjoyed.

[@joegoncalves2496]

My dream car as a kid, still amazing! Will always be my favourite Porsche!

[@millerchassis6119]

love derek he always has such cool stories

[@Mckorzi]

Nicely done 👍 What a nice chap he is.

[@matthewcuratolo3719]

Simply brilliant.

[@criFFerL]

Legend!

[@arthurteo8111]

Sport cars then were phenomenal, never again to be replicated .

[@NanceChuck]

So great! ❤️

[@techo61]

Lovely bloke and what a B E A U T I F U L car? The 917 front and doors on a GT40 Mk1 rear, why hasn't someone done that yet?

[@guyh.4121]

The wildest and greatest race car ever built. Mulsanne Straight

[@miamimo70]

I love the look to camera @4:19

[@dcswings]

Just purchased this in GT7

[@tonychavez2083]

DB had legendary times with the 956 and 962

[@Rlee571]

What a legend…

[@martintsung9917]

917 is Legendary

[@jlacc1]

Beautiful

[@davidciesielski8251]

What a cool dude!!

[@rodneypratt4324]

Hello from Texas and Mister Bell you are the epitome of a stud

[@morganrees6807]

Class guy

[@seniorelzappo9919]

great vid ... can you tell us about Vic Elford as well ?

[@robertopiantavigna9425]

Come ca...faceva a guidare un'auto del genere???, Complimenti, bravo per davvero.

[@shoutykat]

I know these cars are small but every time I see one with someone standing next to it or sitting on the door sill, I'm startled all over again by just how tiny they are.