Seinfeld’s/McQueen 917 at Mecum, Got to 25million before bidding was closed Options

[Ishley]

I watched a replay of today’s action on the 917. A lot of great cars today. This one was the McQueen of the ball.

I’m not sure if it ever sold.

[Ishley]

Went back and reread some of the history of this car and time. Amazing time for race car development. The risks that drivers and manufacturers took… nearly bankrupting their businesses. And how the heck do you cool the inner cylinders on a flat 12. I guess when you hit 240mph on the straights you get enough air flow.

Can you imagine being passed in a 914 by this beast?

[smg914]

Can you imagine being passed in a 914 by this beast?

I experienced that exact situation. It was at the NNJR 48 Hours at The Glen in 1975 or 1976 or maybe 1977. I was in my stock 1973 2 liter, beyond half way down the long back straight going as fast as the car would go. Maybe a little over 100 mph (if I recall, a lot of that long back straight is an uphill grade). This was prior to the install of the bus stop chicane. I checked my mirrors and there wasn’t a car in sight. I relaxed a bit, flexed my hands and fingers and checked the gauges. All of a sudden out of nowhere Chuck Stoddard in his white 917 flew by me just a couple of feet away from the passenger side going in the neighborhood of 200 mph. It was a complete surprise that scared the shit out of me. There was no need for me to wear earplugs in my stock street car but when that 917 passed me at full song just feet from my ears, it was an experience I will never forget. Not to mention that it almost blew my car off the track.