Carrera 1/32 Porsche 917K - Home Racing World & The Slot Car Garage

Many racing enthusiasts would agree that the Porsche 917K is the most iconic race car of it's time. Perhaps that is why we have seen many variations of it in our hobby over the years. When Carrera announced they would also be bringing it in our scale I couldn't wait for the car to arrive. But why all the excitement? For me it was simple: Carrera is doing it.

It isn't that I thought Carrera would produce the best version of this car ever seen. All I hoped for was a car with a balance of scale detail and good performance with an affordable price tag. As I held this car in my hands for the first time, perhaps Carrera has done more than I expected?

You need to take the time and research this car. The history of it is worth the effort. Then look at this effort by Carrera and YOU be the judge. To my eyes Carrera has easily accomplished what I hoped for.

Data At A Glance
Length - 134 mm from outer edges/131 centerline
Width - 61.30 mm at rear fenders
Height - 29 mm
Wheelbase - 72.40 mm
Boxstock Weight - 90 g

So is it perfect? No. Were the efforts by Fly perfect? No. NSR? No. Is it close enough for YOU? Well, only one person can answer that.

For me it looks just fine. The efforts on the paint and markings are very well done. No runs or fades and the clear coat seals things nicely. I feel if you hold a car in your hands and you catch yourself smiling, it is done well enough for your eyes. Such is the case here.

I was happy to see the Firestone markings on the tires. And wheels detail is enough to please most.

It has some issues scale enthusiasts will pick out right away. Most obvious is the front ride height being a little high. Secondly is the rear width at the wheels/tires. It does look narrow compared to prototype photos and measurements. Of course there is a reason for it being narrow back there. Carrera makes model bodies to withstand HARD racing. The body is thicker than you might see elsewhere and that can lead to space restrictions, however slight they might be.

So with that added strength in the body thickness department, we end up with the width of the rear track narrower than precise scale. Does it bother me? Not really. The real question is does it bother you?

In the detail department they do a fine job. Remember these models are made for the average home racer, not a shelf collector. For me they did well enough. It's a balance of scale detail and performance I spoke about and balance is what I like. I can do without any "etched metal" wiper blades that really do not add any appeal, especially if the car runs poorly. If you are in this hobby for static shelf appeal, maybe this one fall short. For the rest of the folks I race with? It will be welcomed.

The car has the inline configuration with an 8 tooth pinion and 27 tooth crown gear. The slimline motor works well here and has enough power and RPM to suit most. Dual bar magnets in the middle and rear of the car pin it very well on plastic track.

The front independent wheel system is well executed with very little excess freeplay. Some will always try to change this, and I have in the past with Fly models. But on this car I will just leave it be as the freeplay is not enough for me to worry about. Your mileage may vary.

Guide placement is forward enough for good action and low enough to suit most. Given the various surfaces the model will run on, Carrera found an optimal height placement.

Remember there is the optional shallow guide blade for other track systems in the case.

The video should sum it all up. This model works as intended and actually impressed me on the wood track. The fact it ran so smoothly out of the box on our wood surface (non magnet too) is testament of true axles and wheels. With just a little work, I can see this classic being one real competitor on race day.

Tires for this model are not yet made for the EXACT size. However Paul Gage does have a tire that fits and works well.

The PGT 22148 XXD fits very well. A little on the large side, but it actually looks good on this car. Original tire size is under development as we speak, so look for that tire announcement soon in our TIRE SHOP FORUM.

I have no complaints. With no slot car ever being perfect, the issues that are here are not enough to stop me from enjoying it.

In my eyes the biggest positive point of this model is that price. We finally have a 917K that just about anyone can afford. When you think about how many of these models will be produced from this mold, I think we will see this Carrera version becoming a very popular choice over time.

Feel free to CONTACT ME about this review or just the hobby in general.

Thanks go to Carrera of America for sponsoring this review.