March 717 – Widescreen Gallery

Submitted by msr on November 11, 2014

A revised 707, the March 717 is a one of a kind, 8.8 litre, 800 horsepower, 200 mile-per-hour CanAm monster of the past.

Images: Speed O Graphica – Marcel Hundscheid

Originally, Robin Herd designed a sports car following the design of the McLaren M8 back in 1970. Herd used the mighty Chevrolet V8 that produced well over 700 hp. As Herd produced the 1970 Group 7 car, they dubbed it the March 707.

Group 7 was in fact a set of regulations used for both two-seater racing cars from 1966-75 and international formula racing cars from 1976-81. The Canadian-American Challenge Cup, also known as Can-Am was open to Group 7 cars. This series would see the most powerful racing machines ever build, dominated by McLaren and later Porsche.

The revised version pictured here was a revised version of the original 707, known as the March 717. The chassis was upgraded including a revised nose. Furthermore the radiators were moved to the sides of the V8 engine.

This particular car is particularly rare, as it is the only March 717 in existence.

It is often seen at historic racing events in Europe using a Chevrolet 8.8 litre engine (537 cu in) generating 800 bhp (597 KW), using a 5 speed gearbox build by Hewland.