The following is a very interesting video concerning a 917 restoration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIdbXsvPZrU

The whole thing is worth watching, but for those with a short attention span, fast forward to 1:10 and listen to the discussion concerning the frame. The engineer mentions that the frame was used as an oil cooler. I thought I read several places that the frame was pressurized with gas (nitrogen ??) in order to detect cracks, but I had never heard that it was used to cool the engine oil. Anybody know if this is true, only certain 917 versions, or ??

If true, that sounds like a very clever trick and might at least in part, explain why drivers complained how hot the cockpit was. I always attributed that to the proximity of the engine and general lack of insulation in the vehicle, but having hot engine oil circulating around you wouldn't help, either.

- MR