Seinfeld’s/McQueen 917 at Mecum, Got to 25million before bidding was closed Options

[Spoke]

My version of that car didn't set me back that much.

I do have some personal experience with the 917 but not as an adult but as a 13 year old kid.

In 1970 my parents and I camped at Watkins Glen. I knew nothing about the race track or races. There were posters everywhere for the CanAm race that weekend. I begged my dad that I wanted to go so we went to the ticket office and when the person said $25/ticket, my dad was already out the door. We're not going.

That week during a rainstorm, my parents watched a young couple try to set up their tent. Didn't take long for my mom to tell my dad we have to help them. I grabbed my shovel and off we went to help them get set up.

On the morning of the CanAm race, the guy came over to thank my dad for helping saying his father-in-law was sick and couldn't make it. So he gave us 2 tickets. It was fantastic.

At that time after races, people would storm the track and the pits. I was able to stand right beside the 917s in the pits afterwards. Beautiful cars and etched in my memory.

We made the 6-hour endurance and CanAm races at the Glen in '71 and '72.

[mmichalik]

I know it goes without saying but the car is even more impressive in person, particularly when you can get up close to it.
I went to a private car collection two years ago, up in Corona California and the #2 car was there. It was awesome to see.
We weren't allowed to climb on it. He had two original GT 40's that he let us get in and poke around but the 917 was there to look at only.

[930cabman]

My version of that car didn't set me back that much.

I do have some personal experience with the 917 but not as an adult but as a 13 year old kid.

In 1970 my parents and I camped at Watkins Glen. I knew nothing about the race track or races. There were posters everywhere for the CanAm race that weekend. I begged my dad that I wanted to go so we went to the ticket office and when the person said $25/ticket, my dad was already out the door. We're not going.

That week during a rainstorm, my parents watched a young couple try to set up their tent. Didn't take long for my mom to tell my dad we have to help them. I grabbed my shovel and off we went to help them get set up.

On the morning of the CanAm race, the guy came over to thank my dad for helping saying his father-in-law was sick and couldn't make it. So he gave us 2 tickets. It was fantastic.

At that time after races, people would storm the track and the pits. I was able to stand right beside the 917s in the pits afterwards. Beautiful cars and etched in my memory.

We made the 6-hour endurance and CanAm races at the Glen in '71 and '72.

great story, I guess what goes around, comes back around. and here we are 1/2 century later

[930cabman]

My version of that car didn't set me back that much.

I do have some personal experience with the 917 but not as an adult but as a 13 year old kid.

In 1970 my parents and I camped at Watkins Glen. I knew nothing about the race track or races. There were posters everywhere for the CanAm race that weekend. I begged my dad that I wanted to go so we went to the ticket office and when the person said $25/ticket, my dad was already out the door. We're not going.

That week during a rainstorm, my parents watched a young couple try to set up their tent. Didn't take long for my mom to tell my dad we have to help them. I grabbed my shovel and off we went to help them get set up.

On the morning of the CanAm race, the guy came over to thank my dad for helping saying his father-in-law was sick and couldn't make it. So he gave us 2 tickets. It was fantastic.

At that time after races, people would storm the track and the pits. I was able to stand right beside the 917s in the pits afterwards. Beautiful cars and etched in my memory.

We made the 6-hour endurance and CanAm races at the Glen in '71 and '72.

great story, I guess what goes around, comes back around. and here we are 1/2 century later

[GregAmy]

I'd always thought I'd want to drive one of those...right up until around the time I turned 40 and saw one of 'em up close and personal without the bodywork on it. And noted where the driver sat. And noted what was (not) around said driver.

No thanks.

Drivers back then were not particular braver than today's, and engineers didn't want to kill their drivers more back then...but it's just that we didn't know any better.

I got to see - and hear - Donahue Jr driving one of those at Rennsport Reunion 1 at LRP. Fantastic experience.

And that's good enough for me. - GA

[SirAndy]

And how the heck do you cool the inner cylinders on a flat 12. I guess when you hit 240mph on the straights you get enough air flow.

It's got a DTM fan ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_flat-twelve_engine
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[carr914]

My version of that car didn't set me back that much.

I do have some personal experience with the 917 but not as an adult but as a 13 year old kid.

In 1970 my parents and I camped at Watkins Glen. I knew nothing about the race track or races. There were posters everywhere for the CanAm race that weekend. I begged my dad that I wanted to go so we went to the ticket office and when the person said $25/ticket, my dad was already out the door. We're not going.

That week during a rainstorm, my parents watched a young couple try to set up their tent. Didn't take long for my mom to tell my dad we have to help them. I grabbed my shovel and off we went to help them get set up.

On the morning of the CanAm race, the guy came over to thank my dad for helping saying his father-in-law was sick and couldn't make it. So he gave us 2 tickets. It was fantastic.

At that time after races, people would storm the track and the pits. I was able to stand right beside the 917s in the pits afterwards. Beautiful cars and etched in my memory.

We made the 6-hour endurance and CanAm races at the Glen in '71 and '72.

I was there!

[carr914]

It wasn't a good week at Mecom

[GregAmy]

It wasn't a good week at Mecom

So they lifted a gawd-knows-how-heavy car on a four-post without the legs being bolted to the floor?? Or even cross-braced?

Brilliant.

They should be DAMNED glad it didn't kill someone.

[URY914]

Surprised it wasn't a Vette.

[nivekdodge]

Foreman of crew on Fri at lunch: "it's only a display, set it up real quick and let's get back before quit."

His boss the next morning, "Find a car we can put on the lift"

[justme]

I guess Jerry didn't want to sell the 917.

I was with him the day he bought it

I love that you capture so much history with the lense of your eye.
What an amazing journey.
Thanks and please, don't stop!

[VaccaRabite]

You really don't get a feel for those cars through pictures.
They are LOW. They seem large in the movie LeMans but in person its such a different story. They look like they are going 100 mph just sitting on the ground.

I've been lucky to see a couple of them now, and they are just breathtaking cars.

Zach

[ctc911ctc]

As a youngster I would near daily walk by Vasek in Hermosa Beach and drool over the 917. White, a bit dirty - show room was grimy and real. Sometimes the cars tires would be flat......

Where is the Vasek 917 these days?

[JmuRiz]

You really don't get a feel for those cars through pictures.
They are LOW. They seem large in the movie LeMans but in person its such a different story. They look like they are going 100 mph just sitting on the ground.

I've been lucky to see a couple of them now, and they are just breathtaking cars.

Zach

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) And we all thought our 914s were low and small.

[ClayPerrine]

I want enough "f*ck you" money to be able to buy this 917 for multiple reasons.

1. I think Seinfeld is an overrated, egotistic jerk. (Your opinion may vary from mine.)

2. I want to take it to Rennsport or a 914 event just to park it next to Marty's GT.

3. I want to take it to a PCA DE just to watch the fist fight over who gets to be my instructor.


I would love to have the original plans for a 917, including the engine. The spend the money to reproduce one. But do things like CNC machined engine parts. The 917 basically used 2.2L 911 S pistons and cylinders. I want to take a 917 engine and build it out with LN Engineering 4.0L pistons and cylinders. Then use the cam profile from a 3.6 full race engine like a 993 RS. Put that in the 12 cylinder case, and install modern EFI with coil on plug, variable intake runner length and all the high performance, go fast goodies. Build a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that looks like a factory 917 chassis and install huge carbon fiber racing brakes, abs, active suspension, and everything that makes a modern endurance race car. Tie the engine to a modern paddle shifted gearbox.

Introducing the 917 EVO. Paint it in the Gulf 917 colors. Make it fully street legal and register it in Texas so I can drive it on tours and the Tail of the Dragon.

Then get the FIA to let it run at LeMans in Garage 56 or IMSA for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Imagine the sound of an AIR COOLED 8 LITER 917 ENGINE at full song on the banking of Daytona...... that would be a Porsche lovers wet dream.


Betty always says I would be extremely dangerous if I had "f*ck you" money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Betty always says I would be extremely dangerous if I had "f*ck you" money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

You’re probably already dangerous enough as is . . . 4.0L and all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[wonkipop]

I want enough "f*ck you" money to be able to buy this 917 for multiple reasons.

1. I think Seinfeld is an overrated, egotistic jerk. (Your opinion may vary from mine.)

2. I want to take it to Rennsport or a 914 event just to park it next to Marty's GT.

3. I want to take it to a PCA DE just to watch the fist fight over who gets to be my instructor.


I would love to have the original plans for a 917, including the engine. The spend the money to reproduce one. But do things like CNC machined engine parts. The 917 basically used 2.2L 911 S pistons and cylinders. I want to take a 917 engine and build it out with LN Engineering 4.0L pistons and cylinders. Then use the cam profile from a 3.6 full race engine like a 993 RS. Put that in the 12 cylinder case, and install modern EFI with coil on plug, variable intake runner length and all the high performance, go fast goodies. Build a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that looks like a factory 917 chassis and install huge carbon fiber racing brakes, abs, active suspension, and everything that makes a modern endurance race car. Tie the engine to a modern paddle shifted gearbox.

Introducing the 917 EVO. Paint it in the Gulf 917 colors. Make it fully street legal and register it in Texas so I can drive it on tours and the Tail of the Dragon.

Then get the FIA to let it run at LeMans in Garage 56 or IMSA for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Imagine the sound of an AIR COOLED 8 LITER 917 ENGINE at full song on the banking of Daytona...... that would be a Porsche lovers wet dream.


Betty always says I would be extremely dangerous if I had "f*ck you" money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

its a good thing no one has ever given me F U Money.
i would go in a contest with you to see who is the most insane.

i think the truth is i have my 914 because its from the same genius mind that gave us all the 917. pure automotive evil...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

the 917 is really quite a pinnacle.


mind you. i don't mind a GT 40 either in the top of the mountain stakes.

henry ford and his mad offspring children.
and porsche with his. they weren't all great children and grand children but the nut cases popped out in the offspring. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ClayPerrine]

Betty always says I would be extremely dangerous if I had "f*ck you" money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

You’re probably already dangerous enough as is . . . 4.0L and all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Things I live by......

There is no replacement for displacement.

There is never enough horsepower.

Enjoy it now. You can't take it with you.

Dream big.

Do what you love.

Most important... find someone who compliments your crazy and keep her close. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[technicalninja]

I would love to have the original plans for a 917, including the engine. The spend the money to reproduce one. But do things like CNC machined engine parts. The 917 basically used 2.2L 911 S pistons and cylinders. I want to take a 917 engine and build it out with LN Engineering 4.0L pistons and cylinders. Then use the cam profile from a 3.6 full race engine like a 993 RS. Put that in the 12 cylinder case, and install modern EFI with coil on plug, variable intake runner length and all the high performance, go fast goodies. Build a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that looks like a factory 917 chassis and install huge carbon fiber racing brakes, abs, active suspension, and everything that makes a modern endurance race car. Tie the engine to a modern paddle shifted gearbox.

Introducing the 917 EVO. Paint it in the Gulf 917 colors. Make it fully street legal and register it in Texas so I can drive it on tours and the Tail of the Dragon.

Then get the FIA to let it run at LeMans in Garage 56 or IMSA for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Imagine the sound of an AIR COOLED 8 LITER 917 ENGINE at full song on the banking of Daytona...... that would be a Porsche lovers wet dream.


Betty always says I would be extremely dangerous if I had "f*ck you" money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

You're a bit crazier than me...

Still, the above is the ULTIMATE Porsche dream!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

Even Seinfeld would drool!