First Porsche I ever drove was this year and model. At age 14! I was a junior golfer and caddied for a guy that was completely into Porsche's - his was signal orange and a "european version" with the rear wiper and driving lights. Driving back from Monterey CA he pulled over and said, "let's switch". I already knew how to drive a clutch from sneaking my Dad's Karmann Ghia out of the garage when my parents went out. What an unbelievable feeling of power and supreme engineering - and the amazing sound of the engine! I was hooked and have been for life, now at 56.
When British TV used to show the film 'Le Mans' they used to cut the intro and come in with the car park title shot, it wasn't until I bought the DVD that I saw the drive to the track, the best part of the film. That is exactly when to get the best drive, very early on a June morning. I have a 911 2.2 S but in right hand drive and 'light ivory' not that subtle grey ( thats gray to some people) , also McQueen had the wheel arch and rear trims. The auction price was amazing, mine priceless.
Precisely. I was watching this very scene on the flight from Brisbane to Perth last Friday. That's the thing about those old cars - you don't have to go warp speed to appreciate a higher percentage of the car's overall performance. And given their snap-spin drop throttle oversteer, maybe 80-85% is plenty enough.
Does anyone know where exactly the 2nd scene in the original movie was shot? The one where Delaney drives his 911 down a narrow road surrounded by trees before he arrives in Fillé
I had that car model and year. It did not start smiling and breathing easily until topping 100 mph. I recall once between NY and Pennsylvania one evening a driver in a large Buick pressed me. I left him in the dust and glancing back, noticed his engine began to smoke after a while.
I have had numerous early 911S cars. It isn't about the 100mph speed, it is about the high rev'ing short stroke motor and the handling thru the turns that makes the early cars special. Yes, the car could do 140mph in favourable conditions. But the feeling of the engine and grip of the car going thru a mountain curve at speed is what makes the car so special.
You know I was just thinking about that the other day when I was thinking about the Cannonball races.... which ended in '79 when he got sick and couldn't work with Brock Yates on the movie..... and yah Peter Gregg checked out right after that. Thanks for that, wonder if it could have been an SC but I remember the conversation......
@4shacks1house THAT's a goddamn Porsche. I touched Steve McQueen's '85 Carrera, it was bought by a guy in Greenwich, CT. Google "Steve McQueen + KingCast" for the story, it was kind of funny how it happened and the crossing guard's reaction, dude was like "oh, it's okay that you're holding up traffic....."
For being such a sportscar freak, Mcqueen really loaded down this car with a lot of options: sunroof, a/c (which weighs a lot and the compressor belt draws on the motor (at least 5-10 hp loss), electric windows. His 2100lb car with 180hp ended up being around 2200lbs and 165-70hp. Still fun but not as fun as the low option cars. In addition, mcqueen ordered the car with the standard bus seats, rather than the sportseats which were much firmer in harder turns. In short, the Mcqueen car was outfitted for leisure driving.
And if you consider his main ride for the weekend was a 917, well, maybe you want a little relaxation when you're not going full bore. I'd happily take that 911S even with all the extras and the comfy seats. But with boomers jacking up the price of everything they can possibly flip (houses, cars, etc), I'll have to settle for a 996 or 997, or maybe a first gen 991 at best.
His main ride on the weekends was not a 917. The 917 was street legal only in the sense that it had turn signals, brake lights, headlights, a horn and a spare tire and jack. These were requirements in order to allow the cars to qualify for the Les Mans race. Outside of that, nothing about the 917 was a street car. Even back when they were new, the 917 was a very expensive car, that was never intended or built for the street use. Furthermore, Those cars were loaned to McQuen's company "Solar Productions" only for the filming of Les Mans. And Porsche loaned them specifically on the understanding that Porsche would win the race in the film...
This is not nearly as Professional of a presentation for such a Fantastic P O R S C H E as it should be. It only has mild IMPACT. Particularly from such an organization as RM ~
First Porsche I ever drove was this year and model. At age 14! I was a junior golfer and caddied for a guy that was completely into Porsche's - his was signal orange and a "european version" with the rear wiper and driving lights. Driving back from Monterey CA he pulled over and said, "let's switch". I already knew how to drive a clutch from sneaking my Dad's Karmann Ghia out of the garage when my parents went out. What an unbelievable feeling of power and supreme engineering - and the amazing sound of the engine! I was hooked and have been for life, now at 56.
I hope you've been able to get a Porsche of your own
You are the man ! I owned a 911S 2200 as well: 180 raw bhp and truck like reliability.
None cooler then Steve McQueen!! Loved that 911s Love Le Mans, always will be classics.
I've been there (for a motorcycle race), the city is also nice to visit.
When British TV used to show the film 'Le Mans' they used to cut the intro and come in with the car park title shot, it wasn't until I bought the DVD that I saw the drive to the track, the best part of the film. That is exactly when to get the best drive, very early on a June morning. I have a 911 2.2 S but in right hand drive and 'light ivory' not that subtle grey ( thats gray to some people) , also McQueen had the wheel arch and rear trims. The auction price was amazing, mine priceless.
Precisely. I was watching this very scene on the flight from Brisbane to Perth last Friday. That's the thing about those old cars - you don't have to go warp speed to appreciate a higher percentage of the car's overall performance. And given their snap-spin drop throttle oversteer, maybe 80-85% is plenty enough.
Does anyone know where exactly the 2nd scene in the original movie was shot? The one where Delaney drives his 911 down a narrow road surrounded by trees before he arrives in Fillé
I had that car model and year. It did not start smiling and breathing easily until topping 100 mph. I recall once between NY and Pennsylvania one evening a driver in a large Buick pressed me. I left him in the dust and glancing back, noticed his engine began to smoke after a while.
I have had numerous early 911S cars. It isn't about the 100mph speed, it is about the high rev'ing short stroke motor and the handling thru the turns that makes the early cars special. Yes, the car could do 140mph in favourable conditions. But the feeling of the engine and grip of the car going thru a mountain curve at speed is what makes the car so special.
Wonder the disposition of this fine slice of automotive history?
He never had an 85 Carrera because he died in 1980.
I don't know about the 85 Carrera model but the 911 have been produce since 1964.
You know I was just thinking about that the other day when I was thinking about the Cannonball races.... which ended in '79 when he got sick and couldn't work with Brock Yates on the movie..... and yah Peter Gregg checked out right after that.
Thanks for that, wonder if it could have been an SC but I remember the conversation......
@4shacks1house THAT's a goddamn Porsche. I touched Steve McQueen's '85 Carrera, it was bought by a guy in Greenwich, CT. Google "Steve McQueen + KingCast" for the story, it was kind of funny how it happened and the crossing guard's reaction, dude was like "oh, it's okay that you're holding up traffic....."
Was Chad McQueen driving? If so that's awesome.
Is this the same RM that is in Chatham Ontario Canada??
Even got the original Stuttgart license plate.
Yes, well technically our address is Blenheim...
For being such a sportscar freak, Mcqueen really loaded down this car with a lot of options: sunroof, a/c (which weighs a lot and the compressor belt draws on the motor (at least 5-10 hp loss), electric windows.
His 2100lb car with 180hp ended up being around 2200lbs and 165-70hp. Still fun but not as fun as the low option cars. In addition, mcqueen ordered the car with the standard bus seats, rather than the sportseats which were much firmer in harder turns. In short, the Mcqueen car was outfitted for leisure driving.
Maybe Porsche just gave it to him as a gift and he didn't get to pick anything.
And if you consider his main ride for the weekend was a 917, well, maybe you want a little relaxation when you're not going full bore. I'd happily take that 911S even with all the extras and the comfy seats. But with boomers jacking up the price of everything they can possibly flip (houses, cars, etc), I'll have to settle for a 996 or 997, or maybe a first gen 991 at best.
His main ride on the weekends was not a 917. The 917 was street legal only in the sense that it had turn signals, brake lights, headlights, a horn and a spare tire and jack. These were requirements in order to allow the cars to qualify for the Les Mans race. Outside of that, nothing about the 917 was a street car.
Even back when they were new, the 917 was a very expensive car, that was never intended or built for the street use. Furthermore, Those cars were loaned to McQuen's company "Solar Productions" only for the filming of Les Mans. And Porsche loaned them specifically on the understanding that Porsche would win the race in the film...
He did care when he was ill in 1980.
27th..what is 2.7?..
I know, but smoking didn't help for sure.
@cosmicdingo
He even Smoked while sleeping.
Nice
Class Act.
0:36
I think its cool to see him smoking... he just didnt care... ;-)
This is not nearly as Professional of a presentation for such a Fantastic P O R S C H E as it should be. It only has mild IMPACT.
Particularly from such an organization as RM ~
Pnut.. I am a Pcar nut.. C Co. Knotts.. Mac Nutt! A Scout like Jojemar
XXVIII