‘The greatest sports car of its generation’ up for auction: 1970 Porsche 917K driven by Steve McQueen in the film 'Le Mans' set to fetch $18.5M when sold by Sotheby’s in August

UK Daily Mail ^ | 07/15/2021 | Ronny Reyes

[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.

[Chode]

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