“Astonishing” is the word that sprang to mind when Porsche introduced the incredible Le Mans-winning Type 917 flat-12 engine in the late 1960s. In twin-turbocharged form, the 917 utterly dominated the Can-Am series. Now imagine that 5.4-liter monster, capable of producing as much as 1,500 horsepower, in one-fourth scale. That was Canadian engineer Herb Jordan’s vision, and over a four-year period from 1980 to 1984, he created a fully operational miniature of this motor in his home workshop. The late Mr. Jordan, a long-time member of the Toronto Society of Model Engineers, was known as IBM Canada’s “Mr. Inventor.” He even built his own rotary-valve motorcycle and his own Formula III racing car.

After designing and fabricating a working scale model of the Type 904 four-cam engine (also on offer), Jordan drew up plans for a miniature Type 917 powerplant. Using a 10-inch lathe, milling machine, and various other tools, he patiently created the countless aluminum alloy, steel, and brass parts needed to make this wonderful replica. Jordan’s flat-12 displaces a mere 54 cubic centimeters and can spin at an incredible 24,000 rpm. The crankshaft is machined from a single billet. The gear-driven mechanical fuel injection pump is the size of half a pencil. Tiny oil lines are even properly wire-braided, and the engine features beautifully machined and finned cylinders and cam covers. With 8.5:1 compression, this motor can produce “more than sufficient” horsepower on methanol with the help of two tiny turbochargers. Though frequently demonstrated by Jordan when originally built, the engine has not been run for some time and will therefore require careful service prior to any further use. The engine measures 15 inches long by 8 inches wide by 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 15 pounds.

This astonishing work of engineering art would be a perfect complement to any collection of Porsche racing cars and memorabilia.