Celebrity

The limited-run 992 Porsche 911 Dakar has garnered widespread acclaim in its short time on the market. Its most recent celebrity fan is legendary comedian and all-around car nut Jay Leno. In a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, he was joined by Porsche brand ambassador Jeff Zwart as they took the 911 Dakar for a spin to see what it could really do. Straight off the bat, he calls the Dakar the most fun 911 he’s ever driven, which is high praise coming from a man with 200 cars in his collection. Jay is no stranger to the Porsche brand, having owned several rare and vintage models in the past. He owns a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, a 1957 356A Outlaw, and a 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2. So it begs the question, could the Dakar really be Jay Leno’s next Porsche?

Strap 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.

Remember how Jeremey pointed out at the end of Season 3 of The Grand Tour back in 2019, that although their studio format had come to an end, they would continue to produce their annual GT specials for a while? Well, this is it, the last one. The final time you’ll see Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May on The Grand Tour. They’ve just dropped a teaser of their upcoming annual special dubbed ’One For The Road’.

Magnus Walker is one of the most renowned figures in the Porsche collector’s world. His obsession with the German brand began at a very young age when he went to the 1977 Earl’s Court Motor Show with his dad. His first love was a white Porsche 930 with the iconic red, white, and blue Martini livery. He still considers the silhouette of the Porsche 930 to be one of the most iconic in history. Over the years, his passion for the brand has manifested in a sizeable collection of vintage and some modern Porsches. His collection, which is 30 - 40 cars strong at any given time, is housed in his 20,000 square feet warehouse in L.A.’s Art district.

If you’re a fan of Tom Cruise like I am (Top Gun fan here), a piece of cinematic history from one of his earliest hits is set to roll across the auction block. The iconic ’79 Porsche 928 Coupe (Chassis no. 9289201213), immortalized in the classic 1983 film "Risky Business”. It’s not that long ago, that this very car crossed the auction block at Barrett Jackson back in 2021 for $1.8 million. Now; it will be once again offered at auction, this time at the Bonhams’ Quail Auction in Carmel, California, at the upcoming Monterey Car Week (August 16, 2024).

All Porsche 911s may adhere to a similar philosophy, but each one has its set of unique features. A well-known Porsche aficionado, Magnus Walker, based in Los Angeles has made it his life’s mission to collect all model years of the Porsche 911 from 1964 to 1973, along with other sports car models of the German brand. He’s not limited to Porsche sports cars, but it is the focal point in his car collection, with over 40 models, which feature his own unique twist. As a true Porsche purist, Magnus has a soft spot for air-cooled 911s, and he started out with one of the first Porsche 930 Turbos, sold in the United States. But if you are wondering what Magnus Walker’s daily driver is, you might be surprised. It turns out, that what the famous Porsche enthusiast drives, is something even he didn’t think he would fall in love with – a modern-day 2014 Porsche 991 Turbo S, which has an interesting story behind it.

Steve McQueen became the embodiment of cool in his lifetime with cult classics like Bullitt, The Great Escape, and Le Mans. Despite a rough upbringing, he defied the odds to become a Hollywood superstar known for his effortless charisma, dedication to his craft, and a rebellious streak that perfectly complemented his lifestyle. This same rebellious spirit and love for adrenaline translated into a lifelong passion for motorsports.