Le Mans Dreams: Gulf Porsche 917K Consigned to RM Sotheby’s Monterey

Monterey Car Week is known for bringing out heavy-hitting auction consignments — and RM Sotheby’s has announced a big one for its 2021 sale on August 13 and 14.

The 1970 Gulf Porsche 917K coupe, s/n 917-031/026, ran in the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans with Hailwood and Hobbs, cresting over 200 mph on the Mulsanne Straight as car number 22. The car ran for 49 laps that year, before Hailwood hydroplaned in wet conditions and crashed out of the race. Footage of the car was featured extensively in Steve McQueen’s “Le Mans.”

After the crash, the car was repaired at the Porsche factory and renumbered ‘031.’ At that point, the car was a spyder, and it ran in the 1971-72 European race series in that configuration with Ernst Kraus. It was retired from competition in 1974 and joined the Chandon Collection, where it stayed until 1988. 

The current owner bought the car a decade ago and most recently had it restored to its Gulf racing days. The car is reportedly on the button, with its 12-cylinder boxer engine ready to run to full revs once again.

Learn more about the car, and the sale, here.

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Jim Pickering

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