Engineering Emotion: The Porsche 917K Gear Lever

Every part tells a story, no matter how small. Sometimes, the tiniest details carry the deepest meaning.

This is the case with the gear lever knob of the Porsche 917K, one of endurance racing’s most iconic machines. In its original form, the shift knob was crafted from layered balsa wood, a weight-saving measure born from the relentless pursuit of speed. It was functional, ingenious, and quietly symbolic of the resourcefulness that defined motorsport in the golden era.

Recreating the engineered gear lever of a 1971 race-worn Porsche 917K

From Necessity to Tribute

In our 1/8 scale recreation of the 917K, we chose not only to honor this detail, but to elevate it. The gear lever knob has been reimagined in hand-turned cherrywood, shaped with obsessive attention to material, balance, and finish. Every curve is polished by hand until the surface carries the warmth of patina.

This choice of material transforms a utilitarian racing component into an object of elegance. What was once a necessity becomes, in miniature, a celebration of both engineering and artistry.

A Journey in Three Steps

• From historical reference to miniature precision

• From raw wood to polished patina

• From tool to touchpoint

Each step reflects our philosophy: to treat every part, no matter how small, as an essential piece of storytelling.

More Than a Detail

This gear lever knob is not just a component. It is a fragment of racing history, distilled into scale. It is a reminder that the greatest machines are defined not only by their victories, but by the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and soul that went into every decision.

At LEVEGH, we do not replicate details. We reimagine them into legacy.

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