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The iconic gulf liveried race car, has the potential to become the most expensive Porsche to ever cross the block
by Khris Bharath on September 4, 2024, 10:00Strap yourselves in, gearheads, because a piece of automotive and cinematic history will soon hit the auction block, and it’s gonna make your wallet weep. Remember that #20 Porsche 917k that stole the show in Steve McQueen’s Le Mans? Yeah, the one with the screaming flat-12 and the Gulf Oil livery so good it should be illegal? That very car, chassis number 917-022, is getting ready to trade hands in January 2025 at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction.
This 917-022 is a bonafide legend. Built-in 1969, it’s part of the 917K lineage, the aerodynamically superior version that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans like a boss, racking up a ridiculous 19 wins for Porsche. But forget stats for a second – this car’s got Hollywood cred.
- Mecum Auctions to sell Steve McQueen’s Porsche 917K from "Le Mans" at Kissimmee 2025.
- The car could fetch over $20 million at auction, making it one of the most valuable Porsches of all time
- McQueen’s Production House bought the car new and used it both in the film and in actual races
This 917 Could Become One Of The Most Valuable Porsches In Existence
Back in the day, McQueen’s production company snagged this bad boy for Le Mans. McQueen, the a.k.a., the ‘King of Cool’ himself, got behind the wheel as the stoic racer Michael Delaney. Let’s be honest, the movie itself might be a bit thin on plot, but for car nuts, it’s pure cinematic gold. Those authentic racing scenes taking on Ferrari on the Mulsanne straight? Breathtaking. McQueen’s portrayal of the steely-eyed driver paired with the 917’s sleek lines? Pure automotive mojo. This flick cemented the 917 as a silver screen icon and 917-022 was right there in the thick of it.
But the story doesn’t end with a Hollywood wrap party. After filming, this 917 kept racking up miles on the track. Racing legend Reinhold Joest took the wheel for a bit, and it even passed through the hands of other notable drivers like Brian Redman and Richard Attwood (who, interestingly enough, slapped on the same Salzburg livery on his winning 1970 Le Mans car wore).
Fast forward to 2000, and 917-022 smashes the auction record at a cool $1.32 million. Not bad for a car with racing cred and a starring role in a big-ticket flick. The following year in 2001, none other than comedian and Porsche aficionado Jerry Seinfeld swoops in and adds this legend to his collection. Seinfeld, who’s renowned for owning several unicorn Porsche’s like the 993 Speedster,(bless his gearhead soul), kept the original flat-12 engine purring, ensuring the car’s authenticity and that glorious soundtrack.
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Year | 1970 |
| Model | Porsche 917K |
| Chassis Number | 917-022 |
| Engine | 4.5 L Type 912 Flat-12 |
| Displacement | 4,547 cc |
| Output | 600 hp (447 kW) at 8,300 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Suspension | Front and rear double wishbones with torsion bars at the front and titanium springs at the rear |
| Brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Wheels | 15-inch cast magnesium wheels |
Now, with the auction looming, speculation is already running wild about the final price. Mecum hasn’t given an estimate, but another Le Mans 917K (917-024) also from the film, fetched a whopping $14 million in 2017, making it the most expensive Porsche to ever sell at auction. But with the collector car market on fire, rumors suggest this one could break the $20 million barrier, once again owing to the McQueen connection.
10 most expensive Porsche models to ever cross the block (Updated 2024)
| Model | Auction | Year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 Porsche 917K | Gooding & Company | 2017 | $14.01 Million |
| 1982 Porsche 956 | Gooding & Company | 2015 | $10.12 Million |
| 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Rennversion | Broad Arrow Auctions | 2024 | $7.45 Million |
| 1956 Porsche 550 Rennsport Spyder | Bonhams | 2016 | $6.1 Million |
| 1985 Porsche 959 Rally Paris-Dakar Development | RM Sotheby’s | 2018 | $5.945 Million |
| 1972 Porsche 917/10 Spyder | Mecum Auctions | 2012 | $5.83 Million |
| 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion | Gooding & Company | 2017 | $5.665 Million |
| 1960 Porsche 718 RS 60 Werks | RM Sotheby’s | 2019 | $5.12 Million |
| 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder | RM Sotheby’s | 2018 | $4.9 Million |
| 1979 Porsche 935 | Gooding & Company | 2016 | $4.84 Million |
The Mecum auction in January next year is already shaping up to be a landmark event. So, if you’ve got a spare $20 million lying around and a serious case of car lust, you might want to start prepping your bidding paddle. This one’s gonna be a barnstormer.
Khris Bharath
Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio
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