Being that it’s now officially spring time, we wanted to give you the opportunity to get your car looking nice at a deeply discounted rate! for those extra daylight hours that are imminent.

Discounted Detail Rates!

Cars at $95.00, normally $155.00
Large cars / Station wagon’s at $135.00, normally $195.00
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) at $165.00, normally $225.00

Steve McQueen looks on in envy…

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We’ll post up again when the car is completed!

So, back to the program. We have an absolute jewel for you today.

There are very few examples that really push us to rethink our concept of what is possible within the world of automotive design. Among the few examples are shining stars such as the Bugatti Veyron, McLaren F1, Tesla (all of their cars), Koenigsegg CCX-R, and some others that are more obscure. There isn’t (in this authors mind) a more stunning example of outright power and absurdity in an automotive format than the Porsche 917.

What’s that? You’ve not heard of a Porsche 917 before?

There is perhaps a good reason for this. Among the cars that I listed earlier, the major conjoining trend is that they were all somewhat recently produced. (Near or after the 2000 era). The Porsche 917 was first developed in the late 60′s to compete in 24 endurance races.

Gorgeous.

This version of the 917, otherwise known as the 917K made approximately 620 horsepower and was made famous by none other than Steve McQueen in the film “Le Mans”. This car had a rocky start in endurance racing with a multitude of engine problems and high speed handling problems (in reality, not in the film). These were eventually resolved and the car went on to be very successful as an endurance racer in 1970 and 1971 with Porsche beginning to show everyone what you could do with a horizontally opposed, air cooled, 12-cylinder engine.

Absurdity, cometh.

This is when it gets interesting, and arguably when motor racing was at its finest. The car pictured above is a 917/30 from 1972-1973. It is reported that this car made in excess of 1200 horsepower in qualifying form… and the car only weighed 1800 lbs.

Stop. Think about that.

It’s astonishing.

Realistically, we have nothing in the modern day to compare that to, period. Take for example the Bugatti Veyron, the most powerful car mentioned above, that makes 1001 horsepower. Impressive, right? The problem is that the Bugatti weighs 4100 lbs. That’s approximately 500 horsepower per ton, the 917/30 in qualifying form makes almost three times that (~1350 hp / ton).

Granted, it’s a race car, and would probably cost millions of dollars to buy (edit, approximately 4.4 million)

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/03/16/porsche-91730-sells-for-4-4-million-setting-new-world-record-for-porsches-sold-at-auction/

…and millions more to maintain, but it’s still quite an impressive example.

Now, you know the story behind one of the most powerful cars ever raced.

Happy Friday!

We take email appointments as well, so if you would like to schedule something from your computer or phone, we can certainly accommodate that.

For email based schedule inquiries or information, please email us at the link below.

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Thanks!

Bah.

Who really needs that? It’s cars like this Friday’s selection that really bring driving purists to a happy place.

In 1986 the world almost ended. Well, maybe not that bad, but Porsche AG did create one of the most bad ass “street cars” ever. (I say “street car” because it was basically just a Gruppe B race car with headlights and turn signals) The 1986 Porsche 959. The 959 made approximately 444 horsepower and only weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs, and it was all wheel drive, with an auto biasing center differental called the Porsche-Steuer-Kupplung (PSK). The car had a reported top speed right around 200 mph!

…in 1986

Today the newest iteration of the 2012 991 (Newest Porsche 911 Carrera S) probably has the aforementioned fancy seats and heated and cooled cup holders (just conjecture, for the record), but it still makes less horsepower, and less torque. And, is only a tenth of a second faster in a 1/4 mile sprint, and has the exact same 0-60 time as a…

1986 (!) Porsche 959.

So remember, before you start braggin’ about your new 991, there was a car that was almost as fast, and quite likely much more fun to drive in 1986.

The most awesome car, ever.

Happy Friday!

This is a good time to consider giving your car, or a loved ones car, a bit of that much needed TLC.

We’re currently offering gift cards in any amount up to $1000.00! It’s the perfect way to treat your car, or a loved ones car, to any of the services that we provide. From unmatched automotive detailing services to our exceptional automotive service / maintenance, Benchmark Motors is a stop to consider on your holiday shopping trips!

Happy Friday!