The story of the Porsche 917K Le Mans barn find is a remarkable tale of automotive history rediscovered. Chassis 917-024, one of the iconic 917 models that cemented Porsche’s legacy in endurance racing, was initially used as a Porsche factory test vehicle, undergoing extensive testing in the late 1960s. This car went on to gain notoriety as it passed to Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert, who leased it to Steve McQueen’s production company, Solar Productions, for filming the legendary 1971 movie Le Mans. Decked out in the famous Gulf livery, the car became an on-screen icon, representing the height of Porsche’s racing engineering.
(image credit: Gooding & Company)
After Siffert’s unexpected death in 1971, the 917K vanished from the public eye. Unknown to most, it was stored in a warehouse outside Paris, seemingly forgotten for over two decades. Despite its dormant years, the car remained largely untouched, preserving its original condition with features such as the Gulf paintwork, a handwritten tag with fuel injection settings by Porsche factory driver Herbert Linge, and its original space-saver spare tire. This “lost” Porsche continued to sit in obscurity until 2001, when it was rediscovered, generating immense excitement within the automotive and collector communities.
Once retrieved from its long hibernation, the 917K underwent a careful restoration, where specialists replicated its magnesium frame for track use while maintaining as much of its authenticity as possible. When this incredible piece of Porsche and cinematic history finally went to auction at Gooding & Company in 2017, it sold for $14 million—a record price at the time that many collectors considered a bargain for such a well-preserved example with a storied history.
(image credit: Gooding & Company)
The rediscovery of the 917K barn find highlights the enduring appeal and mystique of Porsche’s legacy in racing. With its blend of film fame, historic racing pedigree, and years hidden away in a French barn, this 917K remains one of the most iconic and beloved automotive finds, a time capsule from Porsche’s glory days in endurance racing.
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Nick Aylieff | Classic Motors For Sale | sales@classicmotorsforsale.c
