A Porsche 917K from the 1970s is preparing to be sold at a record price (36 photos)

In mid-January, the Mecum auction will put up for sale perhaps the most remarkable Porsche of the early 1970s — a track prototype 917K from the family that brought the company many sports victories. But this particular example did not participate in collecting awards for the brand. It was bought to make a movie star. The famous racer and actor Steve McQueen drove the sports car during the filming of the 1971 movie "Le Mans". The car's status may well make it the most expensive Porsche in history.





Steve McQueen's "Le Mans" is still called one of the most realistic films dedicated to motorsports. This is largely due to the approach to the filming process. McQueen assembled more than two dozen of the fastest cars in the world on the sets, used up to 45 film cameras and included more than fifty professional drivers in the working group. Some of the footage was shot during the real "24 Hours of Le Mans". The actor insisted that his sports car with cameras mounted on the body participate in the race.

McQueen bought the Porsche 917K, which will be put up for sale, directly from the factory. The car was used for close-ups, drive-throughs and the like with McQueen's character behind the wheel. The 917-022 chassis was specially equipped for filming, with brackets for mounting cameras placed on the prototype. The auctioneers especially note that during numerous restorations, this evidence of the car's work on the set was diligently preserved. The car is called the symbol of "Le Mans".

Despite its movie star status, the 917K did participate in full-fledged races, although not as a member of the factory team. After filming ended, McQueen sold the car, and for several years the owners used it for its intended purpose. The current owner, showman Jerry Seinfeld, has owned the Porsche since 2001.

During the car's existence, it was repeatedly redesigned and repainted, but during the last restoration, the 917K was returned to its original appearance, restoring not only the body, but also the original engine. The car is equipped with a 4.5-liter flat-12 engine, developing 580 horsepower.

Currently, the most expensive Porsche is also considered to be the 917K, which was filmed in that very "Le Mans". Chassis number 917-024 was valued at $16 million at auction in 2017. The current example, thanks to its more prominent role on screen, has a more prestigious status and, accordingly, its value may be higher.









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