Custom McQueen LeMans - The Movie Porsche 908 Camera Car
Jun 7, 2020 16:09:45 GMT -8
2whl, Ben_B, and 2 more like this
Post by Oldtimer on Jun 7, 2020 16:09:45 GMT -8
The year 1970 was big one for Steve McQueen. Among other things, he bought Porsche 908/02 #908-022.
In preparation for a return to Sebring, Florida for the annual 12 hour endurance race, he subsequently entered it in at least two Sports Car Club of America Regional/National races, winning class A-Sports Racing at each meeting. McQueen had been regularly participating in SCCA events since the late 50's.
McQueen had raced previously in the 12 Hour in 1962 in an Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite.
For 1970, he chose Peter Revson as a co-driver, which was an excellent choice, not only an accomplished drive in his own right, but a prior class winner at Sebring as well.
Unfortunately for McQueen, he broke his leg in a motorcycle racing accident, and would compete at Sebring with his leg in a cast.
For the race, Revson would handle the lion's share of the driving, being behind the wheel for 8 hours total, with McQueen performing for the mandatory minimum of 4.
For their efforts, the Revson/McQueen duo was scored second overall (although urban legend suggests a scoring oversight cost them a lap and the win).
The next time that chassis 908-022 would surface was at the LeMans 24 Hour race, in the form of a camera laden competitor, gathering footage for McQueen's pending movie, "LeMans".
The car completed the race, and was 9th overall on the scoring charts, but covered too few laps to be classified as a finisher.
Needless to say, I (as well as a legion of others) am a huge Steve McQueen fan, having an entire corner of my collection dedicated to him, and his iconic movie.
The one model that was missing was a replica of the camera car. Just this past week, that void was filled, as I bought my first Dennis Koleber (dennymini on eBay) custom.
In preparation for a return to Sebring, Florida for the annual 12 hour endurance race, he subsequently entered it in at least two Sports Car Club of America Regional/National races, winning class A-Sports Racing at each meeting. McQueen had been regularly participating in SCCA events since the late 50's.
McQueen had raced previously in the 12 Hour in 1962 in an Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite.
For 1970, he chose Peter Revson as a co-driver, which was an excellent choice, not only an accomplished drive in his own right, but a prior class winner at Sebring as well.
Unfortunately for McQueen, he broke his leg in a motorcycle racing accident, and would compete at Sebring with his leg in a cast.
For the race, Revson would handle the lion's share of the driving, being behind the wheel for 8 hours total, with McQueen performing for the mandatory minimum of 4.
For their efforts, the Revson/McQueen duo was scored second overall (although urban legend suggests a scoring oversight cost them a lap and the win).
The next time that chassis 908-022 would surface was at the LeMans 24 Hour race, in the form of a camera laden competitor, gathering footage for McQueen's pending movie, "LeMans".
The car completed the race, and was 9th overall on the scoring charts, but covered too few laps to be classified as a finisher.
Needless to say, I (as well as a legion of others) am a huge Steve McQueen fan, having an entire corner of my collection dedicated to him, and his iconic movie.
The one model that was missing was a replica of the camera car. Just this past week, that void was filled, as I bought my first Dennis Koleber (dennymini on eBay) custom.
