McQueen used this exact car in the film Le Mans and it went on to have a racing career afterward
- This Porsche 917K boasts a legendary racing pedigree and a notable movie appearance.
- It was previously owned by celebrities, including Steve McQueen and Jerry Seinfeld.
- The racing model will be auctioned at Mecum’s Kissimmee event on January 18th.
Every Porsche has a certain mystique, but when it comes to the rare ones, the allure skyrockets. Add a dash of racing pedigree, a splash of celebrity ownership, and a starring role in a Hollywood film, and you’ve got yourself a car that practically demands its own spotlight. This Porsche 917K is exactly that: a machine that checks all the boxes of automotive royalty.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest racing cars of all time, the Porsche 917 was the brand’s weapon of choice for conquering endurance racing—and conquer it did. With its help, Porsche snagged its first victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, cementing its dominance in motorsport.
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Only 65 examples of the 917 were ever built, and while all are extraordinary, some are a cut above the rest. Enter chassis 917-022, the Gulf-liveried 917K for Kurzheck, or “short-tail”. This particular car isn’t just special; it’s arguably the 917, the one you’ve probably seen on posters, in documentaries, or in that little movie called Le Mans.
Beneath its striking Gulf blue-and-orange livery lies a 4.5-liter flat-12 engine capable of producing 580 horsepower (588 PS) and 366 lb-ft of torque. All that power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. According to Porsche, by the end of the 1970s racing season, the 917s equipped with a bored-out 5.0-liter flat-12 could go from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.7 seconds. That’s impressive even by today’s supercar standards.
A Hollywood Star with a Racing Heart
These things surely influenced the purchase of this 917K by Steve McQueen through his production company Solar Productions. According to Mecum, McQueen intended to race this exact car at Le Mans with none other than Sir Jackie Stewart. A production company associated with him forbade him from competing though. Instead, he went on to use this car as the star in his 1971 movie Le Mans.
Photos Mecum
From there, the car changed hands several times, with many of its owners putting it to use in actual racing. The first to purchase it from McQueen was racing driver Reinhold Joest, who later sold it to fellow racer Brian Redman. After that, it was acquired by yet another racer, Richard Attwood, who held onto it from 1977 until 2020. Following Attwood, Porsche collector Frank Gallogly owned the car briefly for about a year.
Since then, it’s been under the ownership of none other than Jerry Seinfeld. After buying it, the comedian and actor brought it to several events including the Monterey Historic Automobile Races and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Even without its celebrity past, it’s totally worthy of attending such shows.
Ready for Its Next Close-Up
For those wondering if this car is still ready to tear up a track, the flat-12 received a full restoration as recently as August 2024, ensuring it’s more than just a pretty face. It’s set to cross the auction block at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida event on January 18th, and you can bet this is going to be one of the priciest, most talked-about lots.
If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of racing, cinematic, and celebrity history all rolled into one ridiculously gorgeous package, this 917K is it. Just be sure to check your bank account as you’ll need more than a Netflix special or two to afford it.