1969 Porsche-Keil Race Car
The 1969 Porsche-Keil was a one-off experimental car known for its innovative aerodynamics. Here's the quick rundown.
1. The 1969 Porsche-Keil race car was an experimental model
The 1969 Porsche-Keil was an experimental race car, essentially designed to test out aerodynamics. Although aero dynamism is a subject that's often passed about in modern racing design, this is one of the earliest designs to really take the concept to heart. Only one was ever built, so photos of the Porsche-Keil are fairly rare.
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2. Defined by its odd wedge shape
The Porsche-Keil race car could almost pass for a fast wedge of cheese. The weird shape was actually informed by the desire to create a complimentary wind current, easing wind friction at high speeds. The word "Keil" is German for Wedge, so it shouldn't be much of a wonder where they got the name from.
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3. Based on the Elva Mk. VII chassis
The Elva Mk. VII was a well-established racing model. The Porsche-Keil completed the picture with a Porsche 904 engine. The most obvious differences are found in the body itself. The wedge shape would make the Porsche-Keil a weirdo no matter what was underneath, but there's no denying it was built upon an excellent foundation.
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4. The aerodynamic back wedge was retractable
Aerodynamics require dynamic technology in order to suit the circumstances at hand. Among the most innovative and intriguing of the Porsche-Keil's design elements was its ability to retract its wedge shape. With a simple switch command, the rear bodywork could lift up to improve downforce while cornering. It could also be lowered down again in order to minimize drag in straight stretches. In a sense, this added a new dynamic to the art of racing the vehicle. The Porsche-Keil was definitely ahead of its time.
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5. Driven by racer Ike Eichelberger.
Ike Eichelberger was a race car driver who specialized in Porsche and Elva models. He had enjoyed success in racing, including winning the SCCA Regionals in Virginia. Ike was actually the guy who got the ball rolling with the Keil-Porsche design. Asking his friend Bob Buck, a then-recent graduate of the NC State School for Design, to design something new and strange with the Elva chassis, the pair set down to work. Eichelberger's willingness to experiment, as well as his past record with Elva models, made him a perfect candidate to drive it. He's also one of the only people to have ever driven the car.
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6. Debuted at the Virginia International Raceway in July 1969
Ike Eichelberger took the Keil-Porsche on the Virginia International Raceway on runs between July and September. Although weird looks alone may not have been enough to convince some people, the aerodynamics actually helped the car, improving over Ike's past track successes with the regular Elva. In fact, the Keil was only a couple of seconds away from the lap record in the vehicle's class. Instruments, attached to the car's underbody, detected empirically that the modifications had, in fact, made the car more effective. Eichelberger didn't win the VIR Nationals, but it did demonstrate they were onto something very compelling with their dive into aerodynamics.
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7. Restored to working order
Surprisingly enough, the once-experimental car is actually still working today, albeit tailored to its original Elva body template. It was restored with a pleasant silver finish. While it doesn't have its experimental wedge anymore, the preserved vehicle means a fascinating segment of auto history remains alive.
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