The 917K Star of the Film Le Mans

Released in 1971, Le Mans starred Steve McQueen. Now, one of the Porsche 917Ks featured in the film is finally heading to auction.

This is chassis no. 917-022, the car driven by Michael Delaney, McQueen’s character in the movie.

McQueen’s production company, Solar Productions, reportedly bought the car directly from Porsche. It appeared on screen wearing race number 20. In the script, the car is wrecked in a crash—but the vehicle actually destroyed was a Lola dressed up with a 917 body.

The car was later repainted as number 21 and used in the scene where Delaney finishes second in the final stint. In other words, it was a different car from the one shown winning the race in the film. But what makes this 917K truly special is that McQueen himself bought and drove it. It is also known for the message he left after filming: “Finished. Thanks for staying together until the end.”

Could It Set a New Auction Record?

The last time this 917K crossed the auction block was at RM’s Monterey Sports Car Auction in 2000, where it sold for $1.32 million, including buyer’s premium. There have been reports that Jerry Seinfeld bought it in 2001, but its current owner has not been publicly identified.

The car is set to be offered by Mecum at its Kissimmee 2025 auction, scheduled for January 7–19, 2025. No estimate has been announced, but the car is already attracting considerable attention across the collector-car world.

A 917K associated with Le Mans sold for $10.08 million at Gooding & Company’s 2017 Pebble Beach auction, setting a record for the Porsche brand as a whole.

This example has also been fully restored to its original 1970 factory-delivery specification, adding to its appeal—and making a new record a real possibility.

The Complicated Story of the 917Ks in Le Mans

The history of the 917Ks associated with Le Mans is complicated, and questions remain about the identity and provenance of the cars featured in the film.

Eight 917s competed in the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, and some damaged chassis were later rebuilt. Three 917Ks were also used during filming, all painted in the same livery they wore for the 1970 race.

For example, a 917K that raced at Le Mans and appeared in the film—chassis no. 917-031/026—was offered at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2021. However, it appeared only in footage filmed during the 1970 race and was not used in the principal photography for the 1971 movie.

In 2014, another 917K—chassis no. 917-024-2, owned by Jo Siffert and rented to the film production company—was due to be offered at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach auction. The car was withdrawn from the sale without any explanation.

Could It Sell for More Than $20 Million?

So far, 917Ks without a connection to Le Mans have never sold for more than $5 million. But this car’s ties to a legendary actor and a landmark film have fueled speculation that it could fetch more than $20 million—around ¥3 billion.

Porsche owners and enthusiasts won’t be the only ones watching this sale; film fans and investors will be paying close attention, too. How much will this legendary racing car, carrying the spirit of Steve McQueen—the enduring icon of “cool”—ultimately bring? Car fans around the world will be watching when the auction begins.