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1970 Porsche 911S Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 91103 01502
Steve McQueen longed to unite his acting and his passion for automobiles. More than anything, he longed to bring to the screen the drama and the almost imperceptible emotions of motor racing, particularly those emotions surrounding one of the biggest races in the world. For the enthusiast, Le Mans would be such the cinematic achievement that anything even remotely having to do with the movie would become highly coveted.

The largest character in the movie Le Mans would be Le Mans itself. The dialogue would be sparse, but the sights and sounds on the screen would more than tell the story of the 24 hour race. Indeed, McQueen would be just one of a myriad of characters interwoven and constantly in motion throughout the film. It seemed even the most inconsequential element would have an import role to play at some point in the film.

One of those rather ambiguous players would actually end up introducing Steve McQueen's character, Michael Delaney, to the audience. Michael Delaney would be introduced to the audience driving a 1970 Porsche 911S. It would be this car, and the first few minutes of the film, that would literally be the vehicle in which the past and present history of McQueen's character would be revealed. It would be used to set everything up that was needed to be known about Delaney's role. In its own right, it was a supporting actor in the movie.

The very same 911S that would introduce Michael Delaney to the world would have an opportunity to reprise its role, in all its cinematic glory, not to merely introduce Le Mans and Steve McQueen, but itself. Chassis number 91103 01502, the very car used personally by McQueen off the set and in the movie would be up for auction at RM Auctions' event in Monterey in August.

The Porsche 911S that would star alongside McQueen in the early sequences of the movie was a heavy-hitter in its own right. The 'S' model was the first highly-tuned performance Porsche made available for the street boasting of 200 hp from its 2.1-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Combined with a five-speed manual transmission and front and rear independent suspension, the 911S didn't just perform well in a straight line either.

This special and iconic 911S would be delivered by Porsche directly to Le Mans for Steve's use and for use in the movie. The car would arrive with its Slate Gray finish with black leather interior. The 911S would not only be the perfect means by which McQueen's character would be introduced in the movie, it was also a fitting alter ego to the 'King of Cool'.

After its appearance in the movie, the car would return to Porsche where it would undergo some modifications. The car would receive limited-slip differential and updated gear ratios before it would be shipped to Los Angeles. Unknown to many as to why, but McQueen would go on to sell the car. It would end up being purchased by an attorney and would be kept, practically in secret, for more than thirty years. It would be resold in 2005 and again some time later to a noted Porsche collector until being presented in RM Auctions' Monterey event.

In spite of all the complexities and engineering nightmares, McQueen had managed to pull off a cinematic masterpiece. The epic that is the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be captured in a way that could only be trumped by an actual presence at the event. He would successfully bring to the screen the passion, the drama and the unexplainable draw of motor racing. It would be not only an action film about motor racing, but a trip into the psyche. And the vehicle that would be chosen to begin the journey would be the very 911S up for auction.

Forever linked to Le Mans, this is one Porsche 911S that is matchless, not for its own uniqueness, but because of its uniqueness, its presence, and what it would mean for the film in which it would star. Therefore, it is of little wonder this piece of automotive and cinematic history was expected to command between $950,000 and $1,350,000 at auction.

At auction, the lot was sold for the sum of $1,375,000, including buyer's premium.

Source:
'Featured Lots: Lot No. 148: 1970 Porsche 911S Steve McQueen Le Mans Movie', (http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r105&fc=0). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r105&fc=0. Retrieved 19 August 2011.

By Jeremy McMullen

2011 RM Auctions at Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $950,000-USD $1,350,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,375,000

1970 Porsche 911S Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Porsche 911S

(Data based on Model Year 1970 sales)
1970 Porsche 911S 2.2-Litre Targa
Chassis#: 9110310479
Sold for USD$170,173
  2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
 
1970 Porsche 911 S Coupé
Chassis#: 9110301590
Sold for USD$128,331
  2023 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz
 
1970 Porsche 911S
Chassis#: 9110301083
Sold for USD$264,000
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
1970 Porsche 911S image  
1970 Porsche 911S
Sold for USD$145,750
  2021 Mecum : Indy 2021
 
1970 Porsche 911 2.2 S
Chassis#: 9110301049
Sold for USD$148,400
  2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1970 Porsche 911 2.2S Targa
Chassis#: 9110310513
Sold for USD$152,393
  2019 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
 
1970 Porsche 911 2.2L S
Chassis#: 9111300396
Sold for USD$118,797
  2019 Artcurial : Retroobile
 
1970 Porsche 911 S Coupe
Chassis#: 9110301049
Sold for USD$193,200
  2018 RM Sothebys : The Porsche 70TH Anniversary Auction
 
1970 Porsche 911S 2.2 Coupe
Chassis#: 9110301037
Sold for USD$198,240
  2018 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction
1970 Porsche 911S image  1970 Porsche 911S image  
1970 Porsche 911 2.2 S
Chassis#: 9110301243
Sold for USD$209,000
  2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1970 PORSCHE 911 TARGA
Chassis#: 9110111733
Sold for USD$52,800
  2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale
 
1970 Porsche 911 S 2.2
Sold for USD$35,952
  2016 RM Sothebys : Duemila Ruote
 
1970 PORSCHE 911 TARGA
Chassis#: 9110111119
Sold for USD$58,300
  2015 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas
 
1970 Porsche 911 2.2S Coupe
Chassis#: 9110301504
Sold for USD$204,402
  2015 Silverstone Auction - Race Retro Classic Car
 
1970 PORSCHE 911S 2.2-LITER COUPE
Chassis#: 9110300054
Sold for USD$165,000
  2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
 
1970 Porsche 911S 2.7-Litre Targa
Chassis#: 911 0310607
Sold for USD$40,126
  2013 The Beaulieu Sale, Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
 
1970 Porsche 911 2.2 S Targa
Chassis#: 9110310178
Sold for USD$143,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
 
1970 Porsche 911 Coupe
Sold for USD$36,000
  2012 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
 
1970 Porsche 911S Steve McQueen Le Mans Movie Car
Chassis#: 91103 01502
Sold for USD$1,375,000
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1970 Porsche 911S image  
1970 PORSCHE 911 S SERIE C TARGA
Sold for USD$48,645
  2011 Rétromobile
 

Porsche 911Ss That Failed To Sell At Auction

1970 Porsche 911S's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1970 Porsche 911 2.2S91103015042020 Silverstone Auctions : The NEC Classic Live Online Auction   
1970 Porsche 911 S 2.2 Coupé91103009172020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, The European Summer Auction $100,000$125,000
1970 PORSCHE 911 2.2 S91103011652019 Coys Schloss Dyck   
1970 PORSCHE 911S TARGA91103106422019 Coys Techno Classica, Essen   
1970 Porsche 911S 2.2 Coupé991103009802017 Silverstone Classic   
1970 Porsche 911S 2017 Mecum : Houston$120,000  
1970 Porsche 911S 2017 Mecum : Kissimmee$160,000  
1970 Porsche 91191101222142016 Motostalgia Auction Watkins Glen VGP $48,000$65,000
1970 Porsche 911 2.2 S Targa91103105582016 Coys : Monaco $150,000$170,000
1970 Porsche 911S Coupe52262016 Russo & Steele : Arizona   
1970 Porsche 911S Coupe 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall$145,000  
1970 Porsche 911S Coupe 2015 Auctions America California$190,000  
1970 Porsche 911S91103016442015 WorldWide Auctions Houston Classic Auction $190,000$200,000
1970 Porsche 911S91103002922015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select   
1970 Porsche 91191101011622015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select   
1970 Porsche 911 2.2 S Targa91113106852014 Silverstone Auction NEC Classic Motor Show 2014 $70,000$85,000
1970 Porsche 91191101209092014 Mecum : Anaheim$22,500  
1970 Porsche 911S 2.2-Litre Targa Coupé91103105582014 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival $95,000$115,000
1970 Porsche 911S Targa91103100332014 The 7th Annual Auburn Auction $135,000$175,000
1970 Porsche 911S Coupe 2.2L, 5-Speed 2014 Mecum Kissimmee$130,000$140,000$180,000
1970 Porsche 911 S 2.2 Coupe911 030 03312013 RM Auctions Monterey$120,000$140,000 
1970 Porsche 911S 2.2 Coupe91103012432013 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction $150,000$180,000
1970 Porsche 911 2.2 S Coupe91103003312012 Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, Fl $110,000$140,000
1970 PORSCHE 911 S COUPE 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$24,500  

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1970 Porsche 911S Vehicle Profiles