Crazy story about 917 chassis numbers...

[vricardo]

...hummmm... I've just heard this story... seems a lot like the "The real 73 RSR TF Winner - Porsche Factory Scam??" http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ead.php?t=9074

Is there any truth in here...?! Please read on:

After winning Le Mans in 1970 with team Salzburg, chassis #917-023 was still used up to 1971. Then it was sold to Vasek Polak in 1972, who kept it up to the 80’s, until he got a offer by the Matsuda Collection to buy a 917 in Gulf colors. Since he had several 917a in the past, but none in that color scheme, he decided to paint a Martini (917-020?) car to match Matsuda's request. But at a certain time, someone got confused and mixed-up the chassis, so the 917-023 was restored by mistake, painted in Gulf livery and sent to Japan.
On the last moment, the mistake was discovered, but they were out of time, so, the chassis number plates were changed and the winning Le Mans car #023 went to Japan...
In 1998 this "exchange" was revealed by some Polaks's ex-employees, confirmed by experts e all was undone, while being documented – both legally and with pictures.
In 1999, the Matsuda Collection sold 917-023 to Symbolic Motors, who sold it to Dr. Julio Palmaz em 2001.
The proof to all this was revealed when all paint layers where peeled from the original bodywork: under de red and white was the Gulf blue and orange. Under it was the Martini silver and the Salburg's blue and white (after Le Mans), and finally, the original Le Mans red and white.

And then there's the 917-001 Museum's car...

[StephenAcworth]

Anybody update on this claim??? Would be interested to know!!!

[RSTarga]

It certainly sounds plausible to me. Race teams mechanics weren't really that preoccupied with provenance. Especially since back in those days, last seasons race cars were not worth much at all.
Besides the chassis were just a collection of tubes.