Steve McQueen’s Hero Car from “Le Mans,” up for auction - Chassis No. 917-022

Hubert
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https://www.mecum.com/lots/1128317/1969-porsche-917k/?aa_id=620294-0
Lot R917 // Saturday, January 18th// Kissimmee 2025

Steve McQueen’s Hero Car from “Le Mans,” Chassis No. 917-022

Steve McQueen's Le Mans 1969 Porsche 917K Hero Car​

Steve McQueen didn't lack for impressive automobiles. But of all the vehicles associated with the King of Cool, nothing touches the 1969 Porsche 917K McQueen himself purchased for the 1971 film Le Mans. The hero car for the film, this 917K's career didn't end when the production was over — it would go on to compete on the world stage in endurance races. The car has just been exhaustively restored, has a fully documented history, and will go to auction in January 2025 via Mecum — the ultimate bridge between the screen and the track.
 
Hubert
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OWNERSHIP HISTORY​

  • Steve McQueen/Solar Productions, 1970-1971
  • Reinhold Joest, 1971-1975
  • Brian Redman, 1975-1977
  • Richard Attwood, 1977-2000
  • Frank Gallogly, 2000-2001
  • Jerry Seinfeld, 2001-Present
 
Hubert
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HIGHLIGHTS​

  • Chassis No. 917-022
  • One of the most recognizable race cars of all time
  • Built by Porsche KG in 1969 for FIA-Homologation and converted to short tail specification by the factory in April 1970
  • Purchased new in 1970 directly from the Porsche factory by Steve McQueen and Solar Productions
  • Used extensively in the filming of the iconic 1971 film “Le Mans”
  • The hero car driven by McQueen during race sequences in the film
  • 917-022 was specially prepared and altered for film production in many ways, including the addition of camera mounts and brackets
  • Original camera mounting locations are still intact
  • Restoration by Cavaglieri Restorations of Van Nuys, California, completed in August 2024
  • Restored to its 1970 specifications as seen in the 1971 movie “Le Mans” and as driven by Steve McQueen, while also refreshing its mechanical components
  • The entire car was repainted and new graphics were installed during the restoration to correctly match the Blue and Orange Gulf Oil No. 20 livery seen in the movie “Le Mans”
  • Following filming, 917-022 was purchased by Reinhold Joest of Team Auto Usdau and campaigned during the 1971 race season by drivers Willi Kauhsen, Joest, Angel Monguzzi and Jo Siffert
  • In 1975, 917-022 was acquired by Porsche factory driver Brian Redman
  • Redman sold 917-022 to his friend and Le Mans-winning Porsche 917K driver Richard Attwood in 1977
  • Attwood refinished 917-022 in a red and white livery resembling the 1970 Salzburg 917K in which he secured Porsche’s first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
  • 917-022 was campaigned sporadically by Attwood in European historic racing events throughout his ownership
  • In late 1999, Attwood decided to offer 917-022 for sale and returned it to the Blue and Orange Gulf Oil livery made famous in “Le Mans”
  • 917-022 was sold at the Monterey auctions in August 2000 and purchased by renowned historic Porsche collector Frank Gallogly
  • Comedian and Porsche enthusiast Jerry Seinfeld acquired 917-022 from Gallogly in 2001 and has maintained possession of the car in his renowned collection ever since
  • Sold on a Bill of Sale
 
RockBurner
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What was the reserve?

So - are we going to see this as a decline in the (ridiculously inflated) classic car market? Or, simply an owner expecting far too much return on investment*.




* To me a car collector that expects ROI on a classic is not a car enthusiast, they're a financial speculator, nothing more.
 
Mspeedster
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RockBurner RockBurner
What was the reserve?

So - are we going to see this as a decline in the (ridiculously inflated) classic car market? Or, simply an owner expecting far too much return on investment*.




* To me a car collector that expects ROI on a classic is not a car enthusiast, they're a financial speculator, nothing more.
I believe the current owner still is Jerry Seinfeld. A well known Porsche collector, it's the only make he collects, unlike Jay Leno. No idea on the reserve, but I suspect rather than speculating, I think Jerry would rather keep it than sell for less than he wanted.
 
RockBurner
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Mspeedster Mspeedster
I believe the current owner still is Jerry Seinfeld. A well known Porsche collector, it's the only make he collects, unlike Jay Leno. No idea on the reserve, but I suspect rather than speculating, I think Jerry would rather keep it than sell for less than he wanted.
I suppose it depends on what he paid for it, which is why that value, and the reserve in that auction are numbers of interest.

If he's looking to use the market forces to sell it for significantly more than he bought it, then, I'm sorry, but in my humble opinion, he's a speculator attempting to ride the market hype wave for profit.

Otherwise, why try to "fail to sell it" (set a reserve that no-one will meet), all he's doing is generating hyperbolic headlines and not doing anything good for car enthusiasts.

If he wanted to be a proper enthusiast, that car would be on the race tracks each weekend (I've no idea if it is or not).

Sorry - maybe I'm a bit opinionated about the classic car market. 😁
 
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