There are vehicles, after which there are legends. Automobiles that draft into the zeitgeist to outline an period, occurring to be lusted after, talked about, and revered for many years to come back.
It’s a virtually unattainable activity, however one which the 1969 Porsche 917K Chassis Quantity 917-022 has effortlessly completed, capturing lightning in a bottle to develop into an everlasting icon in each motorsport lore and popular culture. The celebs aligned, cementing its standing as some of the recognizable race vehicles of all time.
A STAR IS BORN: MCQUEEN’S ACQUISITION
From the outset, this Porsche 917 was destined for greatness. After leaving the manufacturing facility in West Germany
in 1970, it was bought by Hollywood’s high-octane insurgent, Steve McQueen, by way of his Photo voltaic Productions firm.
McQueen, an avid motorsports fanatic, had simply completed second on the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 1970, driving a Photo voltaic Productions Porsche 908/2 alongside Peter Revson. Fueled by this success, McQueen set his sights on not solely producing a movie concerning the world’s best endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but in addition competing within the occasion himself. His formidable plan was to drive a Porsche 917K, with none apart from Sir Jackie Stewart as his co-driver.
Nevertheless, the dream of racing at Le Mans got here to an abrupt halt when Cinema Middle Movies, a manufacturing firm concerned within the making of Le Mans, forbade McQueen from taking part. Their considerations over the monetary dangers—if McQueen had been to be injured or worse—in the end outweighed his ardour to compete.
A DRIVE IN THE COUNTRY AT 200MPH: FILMING LE MANS
Undeterred, McQueen shifted focus to telling the story of the storied race on display. The newly acquired Porsche 917 was shipped to northwest France, prepared for its starring position in Le Mans (1971), now considered some of the genuine and uncooked depictions of motorsport ever captured.
The manufacturing itself was as grueling because the races it sought to recreate. Filming started throughout the actual thirty eighth operating of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 1970 and stretched on for months. In entrance of fifty,000 spectators, 19 cameras, operated by a 45-member crew, had been positioned across the observe to file the high-octane motion.
However the true technical innovation got here from McQueen’s workforce. They entered a Porsche 908 outfitted with front- and rear-mounted cameras into the precise race to movie alongside the opponents. The automobile not solely completed eighth, nevertheless it additionally captured greater than 70,000 ft of footage, providing viewers unprecedented views and views of the race.
THE HEART OF THE STORY: MCQUEEN’S PURSUIT OF AUTHENTICITY
To make sure full authenticity, McQueen enlisted a workforce of 221, together with high drivers and 45 cameramen. After the race, Andrew Ferguson, a British racing workforce supervisor, arrange a specialised racing division to prepare filming, hiring 56 skilled drivers and sourcing 25 of the world’s quickest vehicles, together with 4 Porsche 917s, Ferrari 512s, and extra. This dedication to realism outlined Le Mans.
On the heart of the manufacturing was the Porsche 917-022, with its aerodynamic design and iconic Gulf Oil blue-and-orange livery. Because the hero automobile pushed by McQueen’s character, Michael Delaney, it turned an emblem of the movie’s high-speed drama.
McQueen himself carried out stunt driving in 917-022, a automobile specifically outfitted for manufacturing. For these sequences, crews connected digicam brackets to the automobile’s framework, enabling intense in-car pictures of McQueen and his co-drivers at velocity. Remarkably, these mounting factors stay intact right this moment, an enduring testomony to the automobile’s position in capturing a number of the movie’s most thrilling moments.
In Le Mans, McQueen begins the race in 917-022, bearing the well-known Gulf Oil No. 20 livery. Though his character crashes out of the race, the actual automobile survived. Cleverly, the filmmakers used Lola T70 chassis disguised with Porsche bodywork for crash scenes, preserving 917-022 for later use. Some declare the automobile was repainted as No. 21 in sure scenes, however there’s little question about its starring position on display.
Reverse McQueen’s Porsche 917, German actor Siegfried Rauch performed Delaney’s Ferrari-driving rival, whereas Elga Anderson supplied sturdy help. Nevertheless, Le Mans wasn’t a typical Hollywood movie. Critics famous its documentary-like really feel, praising its uncooked, unfiltered give attention to precise wheel-to-wheel racing—giving the film a visceral realism that continues to be impactful right this moment.
Particular results had been overseen by Sass Bedig, well-known for orchestrating the enduring chase scene in Bullitt involving McQueen behind the wheel of a 1968 Mustang, outrunning henchman in a sinister black Dodge Charger. As in Bullitt, the place McQueen did his personal stunts, his dedication to authenticity in Le Mans solidified his place as each a severe actor and a real gearhead.
SUCCESS ON THE CIRCUIT: RACING HISTORY POST-LE MANS
After filming for Le Mans wrapped, Porsche 917-022 embarked by itself storied journey, transitioning from film star to full-out race automobile as soon as once more. In 1971, it was bought by Reinhold Joest, an completed driver and future racing legend who bought his begin successful hillclimb races within the German mountains. Joest, who would later win the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 6 Hours of Nürburgring (twice) and information his workforce, Joest Racing, to an astounding 15 victories at Le Mans, campaigned 917-022 with Workforce Auto Usdau Racing. Alongside Porsche manufacturing facility driver Willi Kauhsen, Angel Monguzzi, and Joe Siffert, Joest loved nice success throughout the 1971 World Producers Championship season, additional cementing the legacy of 917-022 on the observe.
By 1975, Joest determined to half methods with the legendary machine, promoting it to Porsche manufacturing facility driver and seasoned endurance competitor and race Corridor of Famer Brian Redman in January of that yr. Notably, Redman had raced within the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 917K that bore the identical blue-and orange Gulf Oil No. 20 livery because the 917-022 seen in McQueen’s movie.
Three years later, Redman handed 917-022 alongside to his pal and fellow Porsche driver and World Championship Grand Prix veteran, Richard Attwood. Attwood, who had piloted a Porsche 917K to victory within the 1970 Le Mans race, campaigned 917-022 in numerous European historic racing occasions. At one level throughout his possession, Attwood selected to refinish the automobile in a putting red-and-white livery, echoing the Salzburg 917K he and Hans Herrmann drove to Porsche’s first total win at Le Mans in 1970.
Attwood held onto 917-022 for over twenty years earlier than deciding to half with it in 1999. Previous to the sale, he had the automobile restored to its iconic blue-and orange Gulf Oil livery, paying tribute to its starring position in Le Mans. The automobile was bought by famend Porsche collector Frank Gallogly, who, in 2001, handed it on to comic, tv star and passionate Porsche fanatic Jerry Seinfeld.
THE LEGEND LIVES ON: THE RESTORATION OF 917-022
Since becoming a member of Jerry Seinfeld’s spectacular assortment, 917-022 has develop into a distinguished fixture at prestigious automotive occasions, together with the Monterey Historic Vehicle Races, the Pebble Seaside Concours d’Class in 2009 and once more in 2021, and the Porsche Rennsport Reunion V in 2015.
Right this moment, Porsche 917-022 is extra breathtaking than ever, due to a complete overhaul by Cavaglieri Restorations in Van Nuys, California. The first aim was to return the automobile to its authentic screen-used specs whereas revitalizing its mechanical parts. Specialists from Ed Pink Racing Engines in Van Nuys dealt with the engine rebuild, whereas John Bunin and Adrian Gang introduced their specialised experience to the transmission, bringing the automobile’s powertrain again to its peak efficiency.
As a part of the trouble, a brand new gas cell was custom-fabricated to match the unique unit. In the course of the undertaking, the 917K’s body was pressure-tested for cracks and leaks, with repairs made as needed. Each the four-wheel hydraulic ventilated disc brakes and the four-wheel unbiased suspension underwent magnafluxing and refurbishment.
Accomplished in August 2024, this meticulous transformation included a repaint of your entire automobile, even returning the body to its authentic black end. The enduring blue-and-orange Gulf Oil No. 20 livery from Le Mans, proper right down to the expertly put in new graphics, was meticulously and accurately matched to its grand on-screen look.
PRECISION ENGINEERING MEETS RACING DOMINANCE
The immense enchantment of 917-022 extends effectively past the cinematic highlight. The mannequin was a terrific competitor, first showing within the 1969 season and securing victory on the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans with a red-and-white instance with #23 livery pushed by Richard Attwood and Herrmann taking high honors. One other victory was secured at Le Mans in 1971 with a blue and white 917 being pushed to first place by Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep.
Chassis No. 917-022 is powered by its authentic, matching-numbers Sort 912 4494cc DOHC air-cooled 180-degree V-12 engine, paired with a 4-speed all-synchromesh handbook transaxle. This powerhouse setup consists of Bosch mechanical gas injection, with an 88mm bore and 66mm stroke, and a ten.5:1 compression ratio. The result’s a powerful output of 580 BHP at 8,400 RPM and 366 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 RPM, making the Sort 912 engine a formidable power each on the observe and within the annals of motorsport historical past.
WORLDWIDE APPEAL: AN AUCTION FOR THE AGES
There are unforgettable film vehicles, heart-pounding race opponents, and timeless classics owned by beloved superstar figures. But, it’s a uncommon rolling gem that manages to infuse all these alluring components into one gorgeous package deal.
Porsche 917-022 is that distinctive automobile, seamlessly mixing cinematic historical past with real motorsport pedigree. From its iconic position on the silver display to its real-world racetrack efficiency, it’s a exceptional piece of automotive artistry, perpetually linked to these pop-culture legends, Steve McQueen and Jerry Seinfeld.
However it’s not time to roll credit or drop a checkered flag, as its story isn’t over. The one-of-a-kind, star-studded 917-022 is ready to cross the public sale block at Mecum’s 2025 Kissimmee public sale, The World’s Largest Collector Automotive Public sale®.
Because it takes heart stage underneath the Florida solar, the world might be watching as this spectacular automobile shatters information and secures its legacy as some of the sought-after treasures in automotive historical past.
