By Staff Writer
Feb 14, 2014
If you’re in the market for a Porsche 917, Ford GT40, Lola T70 or other other ultra-rare, purpose-built race car, you’ll need deep pockets just to buy it—and then you’d probably never drive one of these pieces of history and risk destroying them.
You can, however, pick up a replica from Bailey Cars. Ron Gallo stopped by our office recently to show us his replica Porsche 917 equipped with his company’s trick carbon fiber top fan. It’s powered by a Porsche flat six, but the chassis is designed to accept nearly any engine you’d care to install—including a recent build with an Audi V10.
The 917 replica is designed as a very capable track machine that can blow away almost anything else out there. Bailey’s craftsmen build each machine individually, constructing the chassis from laser-cut carbon steel. Most importantly, Bailey has strengthened the front of the chassis to provide extra protection in the event of a crash. Your feet will be safe in a Bailey 917.
The top fan—for air-cooled engines only, of course—is designed to look just like the one on the 917 race car. It’s been thoroughly tested and is designed to spin up to 10,500 rpm. It can be constructed from carbon fiber, kevlar, or fiberglass.
All this performance and individual attention to your build comes at a price, though: $98,300 for a rolling chassis—bring your own drivetrain—and an additional $13,500 for the top fan. Check out all the details at Bailey Cars North America’s web site.
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