Skip to main content

After turning down $25 million, Jerry Seinfeld finally sells his Steve McQueen signed Porsche 917

Jerry Seinfeld sells his Porsche 917 signed by Steve McQueen

Porsche 917
Mecum / Mecum

It wasn’t long ago that we reported that beloved comedian Jerry Seinfeld set the autoverse ablaze this past fall when the comedian announced his decision to part ways with the legendary race car, chassis 022 of the 917K, famously driven by the charismatic Steve McQueen in the 1971 classic film *Le Mans*, during Mecum Auction’s prestigious Kissimmee 2025 sale.

Enthusiasts were not only caught off guard by the prospect of the renowned Porsche aficionado relinquishing one of the brand’s most iconic models, but they were also curious about his choice of Mecum Auctions for the sale. Unlike the more traditional avenues of RM Sotheby’s or Gooding & Company—known for handling high-end European sports and classic cars—Mecum is predominantly recognized for its strong ties to American muscle cars, which made it a somewhat unusual choice of venue for an iconic European car like this.

Porsche 917
Mecum / Mecum

But despite the unusual circumstances, Seinfeld unveiled the exciting news that he has successfully sold his iconic Porsche 917K during a captivating guest appearance on Spike Feresten’s “Spike’s Car Radio” podcast, as detailed by Road & Track. This revelation comes on the heels of an intense bidding war just weeks earlier, where Seinfeld made headlines by turning down an eye-popping $25 million offer for his epic racecar.

Porsche 917K
Mecum / Mecum

During his conversation with Feresten and co-host Paul Zucker, Seinfeld shared insights into his decision-making process, recounting an influential meeting with Dana Mecum, the founder of the auction house. Mecum painted a clear picture of how he envisioned the auction not just as a sale but as a strategic marketing opportunity to elevate both the allure of Seinfeld’s prized 917K and the profile of Mecum Auctions itself.

Porsche 917K
Mecum / Mecum

This intriguing proposition so thoroughly convinced Seinfeld that he admitted he hardly kept a close eye on the auction, where bidding eventually soared to a staggering $25 million. As the discussion ventured into the psychology of high-end collectors, Seinfeld highlighted a crucial aspect of the luxury car market: buyers of rare treasures like the Le Mans 917K often seek the comfort of discretion and prefer to fly under the radar over the chaotic spectacle and public scrutiny of a live auction. “Some people don’t want to engage in the frenzied atmosphere of an auction,” he commented thoughtfully. “They prefer to engage in negotiations behind closed doors after the public show.” This strategic approach ultimately paid off, as it helped this private sale, which met both of these collectors’ preferences.

Porsche 917K
Mecum / Mecum

While the comedian chose not to disclose the name of the new owner of the 917K or the exact sale price, he did indicate that it fell somewhere within the somewhat ridiculous $25 million range. If that price is true, this sale would set a new record, catapulting the 917K into the status of the ‘most expensive Porsche ever sold,’ easily shattering the previous record of $14.08 million achieved by another example—chassis 024—that was also used in the filming of *Le Mans* and sold in 2017.

Recommended Videos

Regardless of the final price tag, it is pretty clear that Seinfeld turned a substantial profit on a vehicle that he originally acquired from Frank Gallogly in 2001 for an undisclosed amount —just a year after Gallogly himself purchased it for a relatively pedestrian $1.32 million. Such a trajectory underscores not only the timeless allure of the Porsche 917K but also the dynamic and sometimes surprising world of collector cars.

Porsche 917K
Mecum / Mecum
Lou Ruggieri
A lifelong lover of cars, Lou contributes to Motor Trend, Hot Cars, Auto & Truck Connection, and the PowerAutoMedia Group.
Aston Martin unveils Palm Beach Edition DB12 Volante
Q by Aston Martin Palm Beach Edition DB12 Volante
aston martin unveils palm beach edition db12 volante  14

Aston Martin Palm Beach has joined forces with Q by Aston Martin to craft an extraordinary vehicle: the Palm Beach Edition DB12 Volante. This stunning car beautifully merges the unparalleled artistry of British craftsmanship with captivating design elements inspired by Palm Beach's vibrant lifestyle. Each aspect of this limited-edition model is meticulously designed to celebrate the charm of its surroundings while amplifying the elegance of Aston Martin’s high-performance 670 horsepower open-top Super Tourer.

The highlight of the Palm Beach Edition DB12 Volante is its striking Frosted Glass Blue exterior paint, a color that pays homage to the rich and varied blues of the Atlantic Ocean. The innovative use of glass flakes within the topcoat creates a dazzling shimmer that evokes the warm rays of the South Florida sun, making it a real head-turner on the road.

Read more
The Ford Ranger Raptor may actually be the perfect “third car”
Don't buy one for the practicality, it's built for fun.
Ford Ranger Raptor 3/4 view in snowy woods

Pickup trucks like the Ford Ranger Raptor are traditionally practical vehicles designed to perform hard work and take a bit of a beating. But in recent years, they’ve gotten larger, more luxurious, and less industrial. This has led to utility vehicles tumbling into entirely new categories, with some being decked out like borderline limousines and others kitted out for street racing.

Over the winter, I took a Ford Ranger Raptor for a spin and made an interesting discovery while doing so. It wasn’t the vehicle’s prowess as a pickup truck that snagged me—in fact, I think there are far better options in that department—but the almost childlike sense of enjoyment I got from ripping around in this ridiculous beast. I decided I would actually have one given the chance, but as more of a toy than anything else. Allow me to explain.
What is a third car anyway?

Read more
F1 fashion: limited edition movie merch and Cadillac F1 team partners with Tommy Hilfiger
F1 teamware lets fans show support for real and fictional teams
F1 Movie merch sampler.

There were two announcements related to F1 teamware this week, both related to F1 teams that aren't in the 2025 season. Teamware is a big deal with Formula 1 racing fans who show their support by wearing team colors at Grand Prix races worldwide, where grandstands are packed with spectators sporting hats, shirts, and all manner of apparel in Ferrari red, Red Bull blue, and McLaren orange. Mixing media and reality, building on the trend, F1 recently started selling limited edition apparel with the APXGP logo of the fictional F1 team in F1 The Movie,  due to launch later this month.

In a related note, fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger announced on X a new apparel partnership with the upcoming 2026 Cadillac F1 team. Hilfiger has a long history of partnering with F1 teams.
Limited edition merch from F1 The Movie

Read more