ACAR Wyer Porsche 917 24h Le Mans 1970

GULF Porsche 917 at the 24H Le Mans 1970 h0 Slot Car Custom

Thinking of popular liveries for race cars, nothing comes close to the GULF design in the late 1960s and early 1970s. There have been many great designs applied to race cars. The simplicity, a bold contrast of the light blue and orange made it stand out. To the very day the design seems to create a strong appeal. Most of us, customizing slot cars or and other models, wanted to create a race car in GULF colors. Maybe the movie LE MANS, staring Steve Mc Queen, helped enormously to create that strong appeal of the design, connecting the spirit of that time with racing and the heroes involved. A colorful time, when everything seemed possible.
24 hours Le Mans 1970 marks a turning point in racing history, with a Porsche 917 winning the race. J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. (GB) entered three Porsche 917. (In the movie Steve Mc Queen would also drive a Wyer Porsche.)

H0 Slot Cars GULF Wyer Porsche 917 24 hours Le Mans 1970

Porsche 917K #20 | Driven by: Jo Siffert (CH)/Brian Redman (GB) | Result: did not finish (Engine) | Grid: 3rd (3:21.100) | Sponsors: Gulf

Porsche 917K #20 Jo Siffert (CH)/Brian Redman (GB) Le Mans 1970

GULF Porsche #20 24 hours Le Mans 1970

J. W. Automotive Porsche 917 24h Le Mans 1970

Porsche 917K #21 | Driven by: Pedro Rodriguez (MEX)/Leo Kinnunen (FIN) | Result: did not finish (Cooling fine drive) | Sponsors: Gulf

GULF Porsche 917K #21 Pedro Rodriguez (MEX)/Leo Kinnunen (FIN)

H0 Slot Cars GULF Wyer Porsche 917 24 hours Le Mans 1970

H0 Slot Car GULF Wyer Porsche 917 #21 24 hours Le Mans 1970

GULF Porsche #21 24 hours Le Mans 1970

Porsche 917K #22 | Driven by: David Hobbs (GB)/Mike Hailwood (GB) | Result: did not finish (Accident) | Grid: 10th (3:29.100) | Sponsors: Gulf

h0 Slot Car GULF Wyer Porsche 917 #22 24 hours Le Mans 1970

Porsche 917K #22 David Hobbs (GB)/Mike Hailwood (GB) Le Mans 1970

GULF Porsche #22 24 hours Le Mans 1970

GULF Wyer Porsche 917 #22 24 hours Le Mans 1970

All three GULF Porsche 917 from the race were on the list of slot car customs for a while. The main reason for the delay was the finding the right colors. After long discussion any various attempts with spray cans, I found out that Werksfarben by Slotracing Werk offered GULF Blue and Orange Team colors. I have never seen a GULF livery in person to the very day. But the colors look right.

ACAR h0 Slot Car Custom 24h Le Mans 1970 photographed at Forest Hill

All three GULF Porsche 917 from the race were on the list of slot car customs for a while. The main reason for the delay was the finding the right colors. After long discussion any various attempts with spray cans, I found out that Werksfarben by Slotracing Werk offered GULF Blue and Orange Team colors. I have never seen a GULF livery in person to the very day. But the colors look right.

Werksfarben

At the same time, I found out the C&R Racing sold silk screen decals for the Wyer Porsche. Now it was time to dive into making the three Porsche using the Aurora AFX Porsche 917 body on AFX Magnatraction chassis.

C&R Racing

The deals would not include the #22 set. The orange top was painted using Werksfarben GULF orange. While all the other orange accents were applied using the C&R decals.

Photo Gallery 24h Le Mans 1970 at Racing Sports Cars

All images photographed on Forest Hill - h0 Slot Car Racetrack