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Ao tentar disputar contra as Ferrari 312P e os Ford GT40, Siffert disse que o Porsche 917K era muito instável, e o trocou por um Porsche 908 para completar a prova. Após o 917-024 marcar a volta mais rápida nos testes para as 24 Horas de Le Mans, Siffert mudou de ideia.
O piloto suiço alugou o carro para a Solar Productions, para uso no filme "Le Mans". Após as filmagens, o carro retornou à coleção de Jo Siffert. Quando o piloto morreu na corrida extra-campeonato da temporada de 1971 da Fórmula 1, em Brands Hatch, foi conferido em seu testamento que o 917-024 deveria liderar o cortejo fúnebre.
Desde então, o carro havia sumido do mapa, até 2001, quando foi encontrado em um galpão. Totalmente restaurado, o 917-024 será leiloado em Pebble Beach, e espera-se um altíssimo valor pelo carro, devido à rica história de um dos mais icônicos Porsche de todos os tempos.
A Legendary Motor Sport Icon Set to Cross the Auction Block
1969 Porsche 917-024 from the film Le Mans to headline Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 23, 2014) - Gooding & Company is thrilled to announce the addition of the 1969 Porsche 917K, chassis 917-024 (estimate upon request), featured in the film Le Mans (1971) to its Pebble Beach Auctions on August 16 and 17. The anniversary of the US release of Le Mans (1971) on June 23 in 1971 makes this a truly historic announcement. Set in the golden age of the sport, the film is one of most watched and revered racing motion pictures ever made. Le Mans (1971) features a cast of racing glitterati, including actor Steve McQueen, and a host of extraordinary race cars. 917-024 takes center stage at the height of the action as the Gulf 917 that claims the checkered flag in the film.
David Gooding, President: "917-024 is one of the most significant and recognizable racing cars ever to come to public auction, and we are thrilled to present the legendary Gulf 917 Porsche."
Porsche designed and built the famed 917 model in the late 1960s to claim outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Forming the foundation of this car is an incredibly lightweight aluminum space-frame chassis fitted with a streamlined fiberglass body. The Porsche 917 is an undisputed masterpiece of automotive engineering with both overwhelming success on the track and legions of racing fans around the world.
917-024 has the important distinction of being the first 917 model to compete in a race, which occured when it was entered by the Porsche works team at Spa Francorchamps in 1969. 917-024 was later enlisted by the legendary J.W. Automotive Engineering Ltd.-Gulf team at the 1970 Le Mans Test, where it was driven by Brian Redman and Mike Hailwood. Redman set the fastest times, proving that the 917 model was capable of winning. This car is easily recognized by its striking lines and iconic light blue and orange Gulf livery and boasts a magnificent air-cooled flat 12-cylinder engine.
Chassis 024 was then acquired by Porsche factory driver, Jo Siffert, who loaned it to Solar Productions for the film Le Mans (1971), which he and McQueen, along with many other celebrated racing figures, participated in creating. 917-024 remained in Siffert's private ownership until his passing and led his funeral procession, reflecting the importance of this car in his career, before being sold to a private collector.
This 917 remained hidden and unknown for roughly 25 years, before re-emerging as perhaps the greatest 'barn find' ever. Since resurfacing in 2001, 917-024 has benefitted from an exceptional restoration.
Presented today, this is surely one of the most correct, culturally significant and important of the 917s, making it very easily one of the finest racing cars extant. Without question, the presence of 917-024 at auction is a momentous occasion, for the opportunity to acquire a car of this iconic stature is not to be missed.
Additional highlights from Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions will be available in the coming weeks.
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