One to Buy: ex-Solar Productions - Steve McQueen 'Le Mans' / Reinhold Joest 1969 Porsche 917K
As a consequence of having to build at leat 25 917s in order to qualify for the up to five-litre Group 4 category, Porsche ended up with many more 917s than they really needed. Following the FIA homologation inspection in April 1969, the majority (which had only been quite loosely assembled) were dismantled to be properly built up at a later date.
The order for chassis 022 came in during early 1970: it was one of several 917 Ks acquired from various sources for the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans.
Filming took place between June and November of 1970; chassis 022 starred in the Gulf Racing colours of John Wyer Automotive Engineering and Le Mans came to be regarded as the seminal motor racing flick.
On January 18th that car, offered from the collection of Jerry Seinfeld. will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction.
Once filming was complete, Solar Productions sold chassis 022 to privateer Reinhold Joest who predominantly raced the car throughout 1971 alongside Porsche test driver, Willi Kauhsen. For 1971, Joest and Kauhsen had backing from a Mannheim Mercedes-Benz dealership. 022 would be campaigned under the Team Auto Usdau banner.
In the quintet of World Sportscar Championship races 022 entered in 1971, it was a nearly always a strong finisher: fourth at Monza, a brace of sixths at Brands Hatch and the Nurburgring and seventh at Spa were no mean feat considering the strength of opposition back then.
After a couple of late-season non-championship races in 1971 (to include a second place finish for Jo Siffert in the Rebubblica GP at Vallelunga), chassis 022 was retired from competition duty. Reinhold Joest sold the car to Brian Redman in 1975 who in turn passed it on to Richard Attwood in 1978.
Jerry Seinfeld acquired the matching numbers car in 2001.
Reprinted below is Mecum’s description:
Steve McQueen’s Hero Car from “Le Mans”
Chassis No. 917-022
OWNERSHIP HISTORY
Steve McQueen/Solar Productions, 1970-1971
Reinhold Joest, 1971-1975
Brian Redman, 1975-1977
Richard Attwood, 1977-2000
Frank Gallogly, 2000-2001
Jerry Seinfeld, 2001-Present
HIGHLIGHTS
Chassis No. 917-022
One of the most recognizable race cars of all time
Built by Porsche KG in 1969 for FIA-Homologation and converted to short tail specification by the factory in April 1970
Purchased new in 1970 directly from the Porsche factory by Steve McQueen and Solar Productions
Used extensively in the filming of the iconic 1971 film “Le Mans”
The hero car driven by McQueen during race sequences in the film
917-022 was specially prepared and altered for film production in many ways, including the addition of camera mounts and brackets
Original camera mounting locations are still intact
Restoration by Cavaglieri Restorations of Van Nuys, California, completed in August 2024
Restored to its 1970 specifications as seen in the 1971 movie “Le Mans” and as driven by Steve McQueen, while also refreshing its mechanical components
The entire car was repainted and new graphics were installed during the restoration to correctly match the Blue and Orange Gulf Oil No. 20 livery seen in the movie “Le Mans”
Following filming, 917-022 was purchased by Reinhold Joest of Team Auto Usdau and campaigned during the 1971 race season by drivers Willi Kauhsen, Joest, Angel Monguzzi and Jo Siffert
In 1975, 917-022 was acquired by Porsche factory driver Brian Redman
Redman sold 917-022 to his friend and Le Mans-winning Porsche 917K driver Richard Attwood in 1977
Attwood refinished 917-022 in a red and white livery resembling the 1970 Salzburg 917K in which he secured Porsche’s first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
917-022 was campaigned sporadically by Attwood in European historic racing events throughout his ownership
In late 1999, Attwood decided to offer 917-022 for sale and returned it to the Blue and Orange Gulf Oil livery made famous in “Le Mans”
917-022 was sold at the Monterey auctions in August 2000 and purchased by renowned historic Porsche collector Frank Gallogly
Comedian and Porsche enthusiast Jerry Seinfeld acquired 917-022 from Gallogly in 2001 and has maintained possession of the car in his renowned collection ever since
Sold on a Bill of Sale
EQUIPMENT
Original matching-numbers Type 912 4494cc DOHC air-cooled 180-degree V-12 engine
4-speed all-synchromesh manual transaxle
Engine rebuilt by Ed Pink Racing Engines of Van Nuys, California
Transmission rebuilt by John Bunin of Vista, California and Adrian Gang of Torrance, California
Bosch mechanical fuel injection
88mm bore x 66mm stroke
10.5:1 compression ratio
580 BHP at 8,400 RPM
366 lb-ft at 6,800 RPM
New fuel cell fabricated replicating an original Porsche 917 fuel cell
Frame painted black as original
Frame pressure tested for cracks and leaks and repaired as necessary
4-wheel hydraulic ventilated disc brakes
4-wheel independent suspension with coilover shock absorbers
Suspension and brakes magnafluxed and refurbished
