Many remember him from Bullitt from 1968. But before his untimely death, Steve McQueen also managed to drive the Porsche 917K in Le Mans from 1967.
After his untimely death at the age of 50 in 1980, Steve McQueen became an icon for many film and car enthusiasts worldwide. Perhaps especially because of the role in the movie "Le Mans" from 1971.
Just nine years before his death, Steve McQueen played the role of American racing driver Michael Delanay, who is obsessed with winning the famous motor race.
In the film, McQueen thrashes around the track in a Porsche 917K. A car Porsche was asked and – and paid for – to make especially for the film. The real Le Mans cars, which actually took part in the race, were a gigantic success for Porsche, who built the cars under permission from the FIA.
The regulations allowed Porsche to compete with engines up to five liters in sales volume. That is, provided that a production of at least 50 cars was started.
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The 917 won Le Mans for Porsche in both 1970 and 1971. In fact, at the same time as the film of the same name went to cinemas worldwide.
It is so far difficult to predict what the film car will cost. The auction will not take place until January in connection with an event in Kissimmee, Florida. However, curious souls have already been able to see the movie star in connection with the just held Monterey Car Week.
Even the car – i.e. a Porsche 917 – has a twelve-cylinder central engine with 600 horsepower, as the engine was first bored out from 4.5 to 4.7 and then to 5 litres.
It is the auction house Mecums that will swing the hammer over the car in January. They are otherwise known for having – well, something known – on the block. The Americans have sold everything from several movie cars to some of the cars from a movie star like Paul Walker's completely private collection.
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