Posted on 07/15/2021 7:12:10 AM PDT by DFG
The 1970 Porsche 917K driven by Steve McQueen in the classic film 'Le Mans' will be put up for auction next month - and could fetch more than $18million.
Expected to become the most expensive Porsche ever, the car is one of racing's most illustrious vehicles having competed in the race and starred with McQueen in the movie.
McQueen even drove it while crossing the finishing line in the winning shot.
The sports car represents the culmination of Porsche's engineering at the time as the company sought to take its first victory at the 1970 race, according to the auction's site.
The 917 was one of Porsche's most successful race cars, dominating European sports-car racing and the North American Can-Am Series, according to Motor Authority.
The car was driven by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood, who were able to secure third place after the first four hours of the race until Hailwood refused a pit stop when heavy rain hit the course.
Hailwood eventually lost control of the vehicle during the 49th lap and slid into another car. The Porsche suffered only light damage, but it was enough to take it out of the race.
The sports car, however, was center stage in the film as it led McQueen to victory, immortalizing the vehicle in the eyes of moviegoers.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Sweet!
“Still runs!”
“Ran when parked”
What a great movie.
Red Ferraris versus blue Porsches.
The sounds…..
Yep, monster car powered by a flat 12. Wiki lists the 0-62mph time at 2.3 seconds. Steve McQueen, who drove the car in the movie Lemans was one of the few Hollywood celebrities who actually had top level racing skills (Paul Newman was another).
More money than sense
Monterey 2021—How to Start the 1970 Porsche 917 K
(R&M is the auction house handling the sale)
Few kids appreciated how their Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars were modeled after such well designed machines.
You made my day with the Pawn Stars post. It is hilarious.
Thank you.
Greatest race car ever made per my estimation
Carroll Shelby
Steve McQueen
Ken Miles
Ford Jr
AJ
Iacocca
What a year for a company best known for pickups and ponies
Bad to the bone....
It’s been eons since I saw that movie. I remember being baffled that after McQueen had his wreck, (not long before the end of the race), the driver of the team’s other Porsche, had to give it to Steve. I thought that was weird.
The Team Manager put the driver he thought was best in the car.
If I remember right, McQueen doesn’t win the race, but ties up the Ferrari so Porsche can win.
Team Manager saw McQueen as a team player.
I am wary of any vehicle that requires a credit check for a tune-up. Just sayin ...
Oh, and those tires, well, that is a mortgage!
Of all my AFX slot cars, the 917K was my absolute favorite.
Nice!!! I wouldn’t the few extra minutes before a Sunday morning drive.
if I remember correctly, this car’s racing history is not that great. It’s claim to fame is the movie.
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