LeMans 917-024 on block at Monterey 2014

[dicklague]

Is this the ultimate "Barn Find'?

I got this press release from Gooding today and wanted to share it with you.

Should we do a pole on the ultimate selling price??



GOODING & COMPANY

For Immediate Release

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.



1969 Porsche 917K, chassis 917-024 (estimate upon request)
Image copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photo by Mathieu Heurtault.
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.

Please contact our press office for images and further details at (310) 526-0584 or jannelle@goodingco.com

The Pebble Beach Auctions
Date(s): Saturday, August 16 at 5:00 pm PST and Sunday, August 17 at 6:00 pm PST
Location: Equestrian Center, Corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road, Pebble Beach
Public preview: August 13-17
Auctions catalogues: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auctions
General admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auctions
Live auction broadcast: Classic Car Auctions | Gooding & Company
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingCompany
Twitter: @GoodingCompany
RSS: www.goodingco.com/rss.xml

[Ferraripete]

wow!!!!! as good as it gets!!!!

[tchanson]

Gooding estimate is 20M.

Based on recent sales of 917's with far less (or in some cases no) provenance, that seems about right to me.

[Geneman]

chump change..wayne, put it on your credit card...

[Pete000]

Only two people who can afford that car, Wayne and Seinfeld !

[ClickClickBoom]

I knew getting the LeMans BluRay was prophetic, I gots $374.00 in the bank and $27.38 in cash, I think I will start the bidding low and hold out for the finish to drop the rest!

[ZAMIRZ]

This and the McQueen 275 GTB are going to be the stars of Monterey this fall.

Thanks for posting Dick, I'm going to work just a little bit harder tomorrow

[James Brown]

found this one a little cheaper but just as good, let me know

[JohnJL]

Mit oder ohne Turbolader?

[christiandk]

at that highest prize I hope it has new strong pussy magnet installed!?

Verry niice!

[Dave Colangelo]

Anyone else in for a group buy??

Regards
Dave

[wayner]

Go to YouTube and search "917 part"

Is that the same car that was restored in that video series ?

[PCA7GGR]

I say "group buy" - we all pool our "available" funds (max out credit cards, cash in 401Ks, sell baseball cards, borrow from friends/relatives....) and then have Wayne fund the balance.

[The cap'n]

Exactly how is this a "barn find", much less the "ultimate barn find"? Its whereabouts were well known, even if the car itself was not out where it could be seen.

The Cap'n

[CountD]

Originally Posted by christiandk

at that highest prize I hope it has new strong pussy magnet installed!?

Verry niice!

Right on. Made me laugh - love that movie.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by CountD

Right on. Made me laugh - love that movie.

Me too buddy,

I was almost going to ad:

"guarantees to break jew foot at top speeds?"

But I figured that would be frowned upon by the ones unfamiliar to Borat

[unclebilly]

Who is Borat?

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Who is Borat?

A guy better to rule a country than your Obama and my Thorning!

Look up "thorning obama selfie" and you will see what I mean avout these vampires.

[bike2ride95]

Originally Posted by Pete000

Only two people who can afford that car, Wayne and Seinfeld !

puhlease ...............

[RichardNew]

I'm taking the over $20 million on this car. There's just too much money in the world right now. This is nothing for the hedge fund guys. Then we have the Russians.

We're going to see some pretty astounding prices at Montery. We sure saw them at Amelia. This boom isn't over yet.

Richard Newton
Playing the Auction Game