FYI: Monterey Car Week Amazes with the Historic Porsche 917K from Steve McQueen’s ‘Le Mans’
Monterey Car Week always attracts a unique and passionate crowd of car enthusiasts, making it the perfect venue for showcasing legendary vehicles like the 1970 Porsche 917K. This particular car gained iconic status as the hero car in Steve McQueen’s 1971 film, “Le Mans.” McQueen’s Solar Productions acquired chassis 917-022 from Porsche, where it became the #20 car driven by his character Michael Delaney to a memorable second-place finish at La Sarthe.
### The Movie Star of Le Mans
In a fascinating twist, after McQueen’s character crashed the car (#20, actually a 917-bodied Lola), the crew repainted it to serve as the #21 917. Delaney miraculously resumed driving and finished second. It’s worth noting that the actual car that clinched the Le Mans victory was a different chassis, which adds an intriguing layer to the vehicle’s history. McQueen later signed this car, marking it as ‘Done.’
### Auction History and Provenance
The last documented auction of this chassis occurred at the RM Monterey Sports Car Auction in 2000, where it fetched $1.32 million. According to Hagerty, Jerry Seinfeld bought the car in 2001. While Mecum has kept ownership history details under wraps, they assure that the history is “complete and clear.” Enthusiasts keenly anticipate the next appearance of this Porsche at Mecum’s Kissimmee 2025 auction from January 7-19, 2025, although no price estimates are available yet.
### Record-Breaking Prices and Market Expectations
The auction scene has been abuzz with record-setting sales for Le Mans-related 917Ks. Another 917K associated with the event sold for $10.08 million at Gooding & Co.’s Pebble Beach auction, breaking the record for both the model and Porsche as a brand. Considering the car has been restored to its pristine 1970 specs and the enduring allure of Steve McQueen, this Porsche might break new records, potentially eclipsing the $20 million mark at its next auction.
### Unraveling the Mystery of 917Ks
Identifying the precise history and significance of Le Mans 917Ks requires significant effort. Porsche’s use of multiple 917s in the 1970 race and subsequent rebuilds complicate things further. For instance, in 2021, RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction featured 917-031/026, claiming it was immortalized in the 1971 film. However, it mainly appeared in race footage shot during the 1970 Le Mans, with 917-026 having been wrecked by Mike Hailwood and later rebuilt.
Previously, Gooding & Company listed chassis 917-024-2 in their 2014 Pebble Beach auction. This was a test car bought by racing driver Jo Siffert in 1971 and loaned to Solar Productions. It was depicted as the winning #22 car in the film, driven by Larry Wilson, a character played by Christopher Waite. Interestingly, this car was withdrawn before the auction, and its public sale status remains unknown.
### Spotlight on David Piper’s 917K
During the filming of “Le Mans,” racing driver David Piper crashed another 917K loaned by JW Automotive. The current whereabouts of this vehicle remain a mystery, adding another layer to the 917K saga.
### Looking Ahead
The Porsche 917K, especially those related to Le Mans, consistently captivates collectors and enthusiasts. As the auction world gears up for another potentially record-setting event in 2025, all eyes will be on this historic car. A non-Le Mans-related 917K has never surpassed the $5 million mark at auction, but anything is possible with the mystique of McQueen and the allure of Le Mans driving up interest.
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Lawrence Jacobs, Editor of Automotive.fyi
