The Intriguing Story Behind the 1970 Porsche 917K from the Movie Le Mans
**The Iconic Hero Car from Le Mans**
At Monterey Car Week, car enthusiasts were treated to a sight that is sure to excite fans of the movie Le Mans: the 1970 Porsche 917K hero car. This particular car, with the chassis number 917-022, was purchased by Steve McQueen’s Solar Productions to be featured as car #20 in the film. McQueen’s character, Michael Delaney, tries to pilot this car to victory at La Sarthe.
**The Transformation and Significance**
However, during filming, Delaney crashes car #20 beyond repair. The crew then repainted the car as car #21, the vehicle Delaney takes over for the final stint and drives to a second-place finish. Despite not being the winning car, the 917K is special because it was the car McQueen personally bought for the film and drove. After filming, McQueen signed the car with the words, “‘Finished.’ Thanks for staying together.”
**The Ownership History and Auction**
The 917K last appeared at an auction in 2000, where it was sold for $1,320,000. Jerry Seinfeld purchased the car in 2001, although it is unclear if he still owns it. Mecum, the auction house, claims that the car has a complete and known ownership history but has not provided further details. This iconic vehicle will once again go up for auction at Mecum’s Kisssimmee 2025 auctions, taking place from January 7-19, 2025. The pre-sale estimate is yet to be announced.
**Record-Breaking Potential**
The most recent 917K affiliated with Le Mans to be sold at auction earned an impressive $10,080,000, setting a record for both the 917 and the Porsche brand as a whole. Given the rise in auction prices and the fact that this car has been recently restored to its original 1970 specifications, it holds tremendous potential to surpass the $20 million mark.
**The Complexity of Determining Authenticity**
Determining which Le Mans car deserves which accolade can be challenging due to various factors. In the 1970 race, there were eight 917s competing, Porsche rebuilt wrecked chassis with extended numbers, and Solar Productions used three 917s for filming, each painted with liveries from the 1970 race. This complexity makes it crucial to thoroughly investigate the history and authenticity of each car.
**Other Cars Associated with Le Mans and the Film**
Several other 917K cars have been linked to Le Mans and the film. For example, a 1970 917K with the chassis number 917-031/026 was offered at an auction in 2021. While it appeared in the film’s racing footage, it was not used for filming in 1971. Another car, with the chassis number 917-024-2, was the winning car in the film and was rented to Solar Productions by racing driver Jo Siffert. However, this car was withdrawn from auction without explanation, and its current whereabouts are unknown. Additionally, a third 917K, borrowed from JW Automotive, was crashed during filming by racing driver David Piper, and its location remains a mystery.
**The Anticipated Auction and Potential Value**
With the combination of the car’s significance as the hero car from Le Mans, its ownership by Steve McQueen’s production company, and its recent restoration, there is tremendous anticipation around its upcoming auction. While 917K cars not associated with Le Mans have not crossed the $5,000,000 mark in public auctions, this particular car has the potential to surpass $20 million, setting a new record. As the auction approaches, the hype surrounding this remarkable piece of cinema and automotive history is set to grow.
