A huge car sale in the US brought in millions of dollars this month. But one car – a Porsche driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans – will be driving home after owner Jerry Seinfeld reportedly turned down a $25-million bid for the car.
According to reports, the $25 million was a record offer for any Porsche, but did not meet an undisclosed reserve at the Mecum sale in Kissimmee, Florida.
Jerry Seinfeld is a billionaire and a car enthusiast, with one of the world’s best collections. He certainly doesn’t need the money, and so a bidding session that started at $15 million ended with the car still available to buy.
McQueen is a major Hollywood icon and was a genuinely skilled driver.
His leading roles included Bullitt (1968), in which he drove during one of the most famous car-chase scenes in Hollywood history.
McQueen during the filming of Le Mans, one of the the HEUER watches he wore on screen madde $1.4 million at auction late last year. Image Solar Productions.
Le Mans was made in 1971 and showed McQueen as a Porsche driver at the legendary 24-hour race.
This car, a Porsche 917K, was used in that film.
Seinfeld reportedly bought the car in 2000 from a collector who had himself acquired it for for $1.3 million at auction in 2000.
Elsewhere, Mecum were able to hang out high-value sold signs.
The Shaguar, a 1967 e-type Jaguar driven throughout the Austin Powers films, took its trademark Union Flag paint job to a new home for $800,000.
A Batman “Tumbler” Batmobile made just short of $500,000.
No fewer than 10 vehicles sold for over $1 million, including a 1966 Ford GT40 MK1 that was the first delivered to a private customer. That car made over $7 million.
Fans of McQueen’s car will have to make Mr Seinfeld a better offer, or wait until it next comes to auction.
