Porsche 917 “Hippie”: Psychedelia Racing into Legend

In 1970, motorsport was alive with euphoria, speed, and audacity. Between endless curves and blistering straights, one car broke all the rules: the Porsche 917 “Hippie”.

Not just for its performance, but for its artistic soul. A rolling canvas that turned the racetrack into a moving gallery.

Anatole Lapine and the Birth of an Icon

In April 1969, Anatole Lapine, a Latvian-born designer, became Porsche’s new chief designer. Just one year later, he made his first artistic mark in motorsport with a daring and unforgettable creation.

The result: a Porsche 917 LH (long-tail) adorned with green and purple waves, a meticulous project that required around 1,500 spray cans to achieve its psychedelic effect. The car dazzled everyone, from spectators to photographers, capturing imaginations as it roared down the track.

While some executives raised an eyebrow at the audacious design, team owner Hans-Dieter Dechent and sponsor Martini & Rossi immediately recognized the bigger picture: this was more than a racing car, it was a story in motion.

Le Mans 1970: Speed Meets Legend

The 917 “Hippie,” driven by Gérard Larrousse and Willi Kauhsen, faced the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Although it didn’t claim the overall victory—Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood in another Porsche 917 did—it secured an unforgettable second place, completing a historic Porsche 1-2 finish.

Beyond the result, the car left an indelible mark: its 12-cylinder engine produced over 600 hp, reaching speeds close to 360 km/h, while its design shattered conventions, turning every lap into a spectacle.

Fun Facts That Make the 917 “Hippie” Eternal

One of the first race cars where design mattered as much as performance, becoming a true moving artwork.
Its nickname came naturally: the “Hippie Car” captured the psychedelic counterculture of the late 60s, transporting spectators to another era.
Decades later, it remains one of the most photographed cars at museums and exhibitions, a symbol of speed, boldness, and style.
Its aesthetic blurred the line between art and racing, proving that a car could be legendary both on the track and in the imagination of those who watched it.

The 917 “Hippie” as a Legend

More than a second-place finish, the Porsche 917 “Hippie” is a symbol of creativity, speed, and nostalgia. It evokes a time when races were daring, curves seemed endless, and velocity was poetry. It’s proof that a car can connect with emotions, memories, and dreams, not just stopwatches and trophies.

This year, at Le Mans Classic, we had the privilege of seeing the “Hippie” once again. To witness its psychedelic livery shimmering under the French summer sun, and to immortalize the moment through our own lens, was like traveling back in time—standing face to face with a legend that refuses to fade.