LE MANS 1 9 7 1 – THE FI LM: FI VE THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

1 Although it is now regarded as a cult classic, especially with motor sport fans, when launched in the cinemas in 1971, despite Steve McQueen, star of box office smashes Bullitt and The Thomas Crown Affair, heading the cast, Le Mans was a box office flop.

2 The actual Gulf Porsche 917K which starred in the film, after restoration in Switzerland, sold at Pebble Beach, California, in 2017 for $14 million. Making that particular car both the most iconic and expensive Porche of all time. The car was originally used as a test car at Le Mans before acquiring its Gulf livery. It was sold to Porsche driver Jo Siffert, and was kept in a French warehouse until his death in 2001.

3 The Pixar Films animated comedy, Cars, released in 2006, distributed by Disney, was tenuously inspired by the film Le Mans. The lead animated character was called Lightning McQueen. 4 The entire filming of Le Mans, the film, was shot on location at the French circuit between June and November 1970.

5 Much of the live race footage featured in the film Le Mans was shot during the mid-June 1970 24-hour race. Steve McQueen intended to enter the 24-hour race in a Porsche 917K, together with British racing legend Jackie Stewart. McQueen had previously co-driven a Porsche (908/2) to second place in the 12-hours of Sebring race, which McQueen achieved while racing with a broken foot! Despite which, McQueen’s entry to the 1970 Le Mans was declined. It has been speculated that those responsible for financing the film had at hand in McQueen’s application being refused.