‘It’s the realm of legend’, iconic sportscar driven by Hollywood actor & F1 legend goes on the market for £4.5MILLION
AN ICONIC sportscar driven by a Hollywood ace will be sold at auction, and is expected to rake in a massive £4.5million.
The rare motor – a 1969 Porsche – was driven by Steve McQueen in the 1971 racing movie ‘Le Mans’.
The eye-catching car’s full name is a 908/02 Langheck Flunder Spyder, and is said to have redefined the sportscar’s aerodynamics.
It was featured during the filming of Steve McQueen’s cinematic epic “Le Mans”, cementing its place in popular culture.
Porsche legends, including Vic Elford, Richard Attwood, Dr. Helmut Marko, Gérard Larrousse, and Rudi Lins, also piloted it during its illustrious racing career.
The car’s consistent speed and aerodynamically designed body secured its historic win, along with winning the Index of Performance in the epic 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours, ensuring a 1-2-3 podium sweep for Porsche in one of the era’s defining motorsport events.
During its racing life, this model scored more than 50 major victories and more than 100 podium results from 1969 through 1972, making it one of the most successful Porsche race cars of them all.
It’s being sold off by auction house Broad Arrow, which expect it to sell for £4.5 million.
Car auctions: What to know
Car auctions are a way to sell vehicles based on a bidding system with the highest offer securing the deal.
Auctions aren’t restricted to the rich and famous as thousands of cars are sold at motor auctions in the UK each week.
Here’s what you need to know before attending an auction:
- Be prepared: Do your research on the car you would like to purchase beforehand.
- Check the car: Cars will usually be lined up before the start, so make sure to arrive early to inspect the desired car thoroughly.
- Have a back-up: Be ready for disappointment as your desired motor may be sold to someone else and select a few back-ups.
- Be realistic: Realise that there won’t be a “perfect” car at an auction and adjust expectations accordingly.
- Set a budget: It is easy to overspend in the heat of the moment during bidding. Ensure you have set a budget and do not go over it.
Key phrases to look out for:
- ‘No major mechanical faults’ – suggests that there shouldn’t be any issues with the car’s drivetrain, gearbox, suspension, or engine.
- ‘Specified faults’ – the auctioneer will read out specific faults.
- ‘Sold as seen’ – the vehicle is sold with any and all problems it may have. The auction company will rarely entertain complaints regarding the mechanical or cosmetic condition of these vehicles after sale.
- ‘Sold with a warranted mileage’ – The car is being offered based on the report, which confirms the mileage through an independent check.
On its site, the listing reads: “This sports legend also competed successfully in many of the other keystone World Championship events of its day, including the Sebring 12 Hours, Nürburgring 1000 Kms, Spa 1000 Kms, BOAC 1000 Kms, amongst others.”
Sensior car specialist for the firm, David Swig, said: “The 908/02 Langheck Flunder Spyder is one of the true icons of Porsche motorsport.
“Its competition career spanned some of the most celebrated races in the history of motor racing.
“The stories this car could tell are in the realm of legend; it is without question one of the most important Porsches in existence.”
Broad Arrow’s auction will take place with Air|Water on Saturday, April 27 in Orange County, California.
It’s the second time the rare car has been sold, after it was initially snagged from a relative of the original owner.
At the time of the last sale, in 2022, it was sold for around £3.3million.
In the last two years that price has risen by more than £1million, meaning it could be a decent investment for a new owner, earning an additional £500,000 per year if the valuation pattern continues.
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