The 917K Star of the Movie “Le Mans”

The 1971 film “Le Mans,” starring Steve McQueen, featured the Porsche 917K as its main car.
It has now been revealed that this iconic 917K will finally be put up for auction.

This 917K is chassis number 917-022, the very machine driven by Michael Delaney, McQueen’s character in the film.

The car was purchased directly from Porsche by Solar Productions, the production company founded by McQueen himself. In the movie, it appears with the racing number #20. Although the script calls for it to be wrecked in a crash, the actual crash involved a Lola chassis fitted with a 917 body.

Afterward, the car was repainted as #21 and used in the scene where Delaney finishes second in the final stint. In other words, it is a different car from the one that “won” in the film.
However, the true value of this car lies in the fact that McQueen personally bought and drove it. It is also famous for bearing McQueen’s own inscription after filming: “Complete. Thanks for holding together until the end.”

Will It Set a New Auction Record?

The last time this 917K was auctioned was at the 2000 RM Monterey Sports Car Auction, where it sold for $1.32 million including fees. There are reports that Jerry Seinfeld purchased it in 2001, but the current owner remains unknown.

The upcoming auction, hosted by Mecum, is scheduled for the Kissimmee 2025 Auction from January 7 to 19, 2025. Although the estimated price has not been disclosed, it is attracting significant attention within the industry.

Previously, a 917K related to “Le Mans” sold for $10.08 million at the 2017 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction, setting the highest price ever for any Porsche brand vehicle.

This particular car has the added value of being fully restored to its original 1970 factory specifications, making it a strong contender to break that record.

The Complex Story Behind the 917Ks

However, the authenticity of the 917Ks featured in “Le Mans” is a complicated matter.

Eight 917s competed in the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours race, with some chassis rebuilt after crashes. Additionally, three 917Ks were used during filming, all painted in the 1970 race liveries.

For example, at the 2021 RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction, a 917K (chassis numbers 917-031/026) that actually raced and appeared in the film was auctioned. However, this car only appears in footage shot during the 1970 race and was not used in the 1971 principal photography.

In 2014, a 917K (chassis number 917-024-2) owned by Joe Gifford and rented to the film production was scheduled to be auctioned at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auction but was withdrawn for undisclosed reasons.

Possibility of Exceeding 2 Billion Yen

917Ks not related to “Le Mans” have never sold for more than $5 million. However, this particular car’s connection to the legendary actor Steve McQueen and its place in cinematic history have led to speculation that it could fetch over $20 million (approximately 3 billion yen).

This auction will undoubtedly attract attention not only from Porsche enthusiasts but also from movie fans and investors alike.
The legendary racing machine 917K, imbued with the spirit of Steve McQueen—the eternal symbol of “cool”—will have the world’s car fans eagerly watching to see what price it commands on auction day.