STEVE MCQUEEN PORSCHE SELLS FOR US$1.375 MILLION

As part of a wide variety of classic, race, rare and vintage vehicles consigned with RM, the 1970 model 911S was tipped to make around the US$1 million mark prior to the auction, but the US$1.375 it eventually closed at surprised all who attended. The McQueen provenance was no doubt a factor in its high final price, as regular 911s from this periodareonly worth a fraction of this price.

The Slate Grey 911S is McQueen's co-star for the subdued opening sequence of Le Mans and featured extensively in publicity stills from the film. Fully equipped from the factory, the Porsche was delivered new to McQueen on the set of of the movie.The Slate Grey colour was supposedly a favourite of McQueen's, as he owned several examples of Porsche's iconic rear-engined sportscar in this colour, including an almost identical 1969 model.

The auctioned lot was the top-of-the-line available for 1970, the "S" variant denotingmore power and torque than the "E" and "T" versions of the 911. The McQueen carhad also been heavily optioned, which meant items such as air-conditioning, muffler apron, tinted glass, a Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio, the Comfort Group (which includes leather upholstery and other interior upgrades) and front fog lamps were fitted. Sometime after the initial purchase by McQueen's Solar Productions, the 911S went back to the Porsche factory to also have a limited slip diff and revised gear ratios fitted.

McQueen had the Porsche shipped back to the US in 1971, and chose to sell the car sometime later, allegedly putting the newer car on the market- instead of his 1969 car - as the older 911 had been fitted with a costly stereo system that he didn't want to part with. The second owner, based in Los Angeles, kept the car for over three decades before selling it in 2005. It's most recent owner was an anonymousPorsche collector.

Refurbishments in the hands of these past owners include one repaint in the factory color, reupholstered front seats, new shock absorbers and a fresh windshield. The engine and transmission were original, with no rust or accident damage, indicating that the car had been well looked after. It still wears its original, and correctly sized, factory-installed Fuchs alloy wheels, and upon its sale at Monterey, the odometer indicated less than 12,400 miles. (Total mileage is believed to be around 112,400 from new.)

Billed as the world's best known, most significant non-racing Porsche 911, there was at least one person who agreed, given the 911's stellar price!