The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been the pinnacle for drivers and car brands alike for more than 100 years. Whether it’s rival teams, legendary racers or unpredictable weather, each race brings its own unique excitement. One year after Porsche’s first ever Le Mans win in a 917KH, drivers Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep piloted a second win and set a record that wouldn’t be beaten for 39 years.
In a mere 24 hours, the duo managed to take their flat 12-powered 917KH around the circuit 397 times. In total, they covered just over 5,335km doing an average speed of 222km/h even including pit stops. That race wasn’t just a win, it was an historic lesson in the marriage of extreme engineering and insanely committed drivers.
As a homage to the iconic car that crossed the line that day, Pocher has immortalised the Martini-liveried 917KH in 1:8 scale. The premium Italian brand, now owned by the Hornby Group, produces intricate scale models of some of the most significant and sought after cars. The Martini Porsche 917KH is the latest addition to its collector’s range.
When you picture a die-cast car it’s most likely a Hot Wheels-esque toy that comes to mind but this is worlds away in size and quality. The beauty of the Pocher model is you get to spend an estimated 30+ hours building the Martini Porsche 917KH from the chassis up. In more than 316 parts and over 200 screws you get to experience the engineering marvels of the 917KH.
While most will proudly create a static display for the finished model, it’s not just a showpiece. The kit features working suspension and steering, opening doors and a lifting clamshell engine cover at the rear. As an official licensed product there’s also a stunning period-correct Martini livery to complete the look.
Since the model is 1:8 scale, it’s much bigger than it looks in the pictures. At nearly 2ft long you need a decent amount of space to build and show off your hard work. The parts feel high quality and Pocher ranks the Martini Porsche 917KH build a six out of seven in its skill level scale. This means you need to be armed with a screwdriver and glue and be prepared to deal with fiddly PVC tubing.
As well as detailed visual instructions showing which parts should be screwed and glued together, dotted throughout the manual are facts about the Porsche 917KH’s engineering. The build starts with the 4.9-liter flat-12 engine which was said to be capable of 620bhp at 8,400rpm. With the engine assembled, it’s on to the front part of the car and the interior which features two replica FIA-complaint seats.
After the engine is mated to the chassis the finish line is in sight. Once the body panels start going on, the build really comes to life. Chunky tires and detailed decals bring the final look together. If you’re a first time builder or just looking for some extra support, Pocher also has a detailed series of videos on its YouTube channel running through the entire build from start to finish.
If the pandemic and tech fatigue has taught us anything, it’s that there’s huge solace and achievement in rediscovering the enjoyment of hobbies. Pocher’s intricate builds allow you to just get lost in creating your own engineering wonders at a 1:8 scale. While the Martini Porsche 917KH is the latest addition to the company’s lineup, they’ve also recently announced a new partnership with Ferrari. More than 30 years ago Pocher offered an extensive Ferrari range including the Testarossa and the F40.
Now, Pocher is busy designing the next generation of Ferrari 1:8 scale models. Brand MD, Scott Elsey, said: “We are proud to re-establish a partnership with Ferrari, an iconic name that, like Pocher, is synonymous with Italian heritage, excellence, and prestige. Our shared legacy reflects the deep synergy between our brands, and we’re excited to unveil new Ferrari models that will captivate collectors and enthusiasts around the world.”