Classic Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder - one of four extant - could race to $4m

The Drendels had the world's finest collection of racing Porsches, from which this 917/30 is for sale

The Drendel Family Collection of 18 Porsches is recognised as the world's finest. And now collectors will have a chance to own classic cars from the collection when it is auctioned in Amelia Island, US, on Friday March 9.

The classic Porsches for sale comprise 25 years of the marque's history, from 1973 - 1997. Ten of the 18 lots will be offered without reserve. All the cars offer a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors to acquire a rare piece of Porsche's motorsport heritage.

Big stars in the sale include this 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder (chassis number 917-30-004). The Porsche 917 racing program remains one of the most successful in motorsport history. Which is partly why this car will appear with a $3.25-$4m presale estimate.

Of all the Porsche 917s, the 1973 917/30 Can-Am Spyder was the program's pinnacle. This classic racer's features include a 1,000 hp turbocharged flat-twelve engine.

The 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder classic car

So formidable was the 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder that when a 917/30 was entered into the Can Am Challenge Cup - driven by American racing champion Mark Donohue - the event was disbanded. The other manufacturers withdrew their cars due to their inability to compete.

This car, 004, was one of just four examples completed at the Porsche factory and was sold to Australian Porsche Importer Alan Hamilton. It was later repurchased by the Porsche factory, and subsequently became the centrepiece of the Drendel Family Collection.

The 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder has been "meticulously restored" according to its lot notes. Its pedigree includes being raced at the Monterey Historics, and it has been displayed at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and Rennsport Reunion.

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