Steve McQueen’s ‘Le Mans’ Porsche 917K from 1970 up for auction

Spoiler alert: If you haven’t seen the Steve McQueen’s movie Le Mans and don’t want to know how it ends, might we interest you in clicking to another Autoblog post?

Monterey Car Week attracts a discerning audience, making it the ideal setting for the showcase of the 1970 Porsche 917K hero car from the 1971 movie Le Mans. This iconic vehicle, with chassis number 917-022, was purchased by Steve McQueen’s Solar Productions to portray the #20 car driven by his character, Michael Delaney, in the film. A fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdote reveals that the car, rebranded as the #21 917, was used for the final scenes after the #20 car was wrecked in the movie. Notably, the car driven to victory in the movie was a different chassis, highlighting the allure of the 917K as the actual vehicle used by McQueen himself.

This historic car was last seen at the RM Monterey Sports Car Auction in 2000, fetching $1,320,000 after fees and later purchased by Jerry Seinfeld in 2001. While the ownership history beyond Seinfeld’s acquisition remains a mystery, Mecum assures a complete and documented record of ownership. The Porsche 917K will be up for auction at Mecum’s Kisssimmee 2025 event, scheduled for January 7-19, 2025. Despite an undisclosed pre-sale estimate, similar 917K models have achieved record-setting prices at recent auctions, indicating high market demand.

With a recent restoration to 1970 specifications, the value of the 917K has been further bolstered by the increasing popularity of McQueen’s legacy and the rising prominence of the 917K in the automotive world. However, differentiating between the various 917s used in the movie poses a challenge due to Porsche’s complex history of chassis reassignment and multiple cars utilized for filming purposes. In recent years, auction houses have mistakenly attributed certain chassis to the Le Mans film, underscoring the need for accurate historical research and verification.

For those seeking a comprehensive analysis of the Porsche 917’s involvement in Le Mans and its auction history, Gianni Cabiglia’s breakdown on Flat Sixes provides valuable insights. While Porsche 917K models not connected to Le Mans have yet to break the $5,000,000 mark, the upcoming auction of this renowned example may set a new industry benchmark by potentially exceeding $20 million. The anticipation surrounding this event is sure to generate significant interest in the automotive world.