Winning Gulf Colours: 917-Inspired Production Privee Shan 27

Is there a more iconic colour scheme in all of motorsport?  Rally fans will defend the Martini stripes and Americans the Marlboro red and white- but it was the Porsche 917Ks in Gulf colours that dominated endurance racing in the 1970s and be featured in the Steve McQueen’s enduring film Le Mans.

Founded by a pair of ex-Commencal designers, Production Privee is an Andorran consumer-direct company with love of hardtails and a decidedly downhill orientation.  One of two hardtail frames in the young company’s catalogue, the £400ish Shan is the burlier sibling, designed around 27.5 wheels, 160mm forks, and the sort of abuse that that combination invites.

Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the Shan 27 917 is inspired by the McQueen 917K’s Gulf livery.  The frame makes use of triple-butted Japanese 4130 CrMo tubing and before painting is treated inside and out to prevent rust.  Intended as an enduro frame, the Shan takes advantage of Production Privee’s KTP Flex System with its measure of designed-in vertical flex to improve grip and comfort on rough terrain.  Aluminium hose guides are screwed into frame bosses for easy maintenance and parts swaps.

Interestingly, while 12×142 dropouts are provided, Shan prefer the ride of 135mm QR hubs- for which dropouts are also available.  Still prefer 26in?  QR and thru axle dropouts can be ordered separately to maintain geometry with smaller wheels.  For riders starting from scratch, Production Privee are also offering a complete bike kit with colour-matched Spank Oozy wheels, an XT 11s drivetrain, and RockShox Yari RC for roughly £2,060.  Does it look good?  Yes, yes it does.

production-privee.com