This Porsche 908 first created a sensation in Florida during the 1970 edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Upon a suggestion by journalist Gérard Crombac, advisor to Steve McQueen for "Le Mans," the American actor entered the car at Sebring under the banner of Solar, the producation company he had started two years earlier. His teammate was Peter Revson, one of the best American drivers at the time. The first dramatic turn: Steve McQueen headed to Sebring with his left ankle in a cast following a motorcycle tumble! In the race, the immaculate No. 48 Porsche 908 finished second behind the Ferrari of Nino Vaccarella, Ignazio Giunti and Mario Andretti. Called to the rescue after his own car was forced to retire, Andretti prevented the actor from winning the race after the last hour.

For the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 908 changed livery (from white to blue with yellow trim). It was also greatly modified to film the cars on the track, then all the racing scenes were edited for the movie, which took place over the course of more than four months after the 38rd edition of the 24 Hours. It was equipped with three cameras: one on the front hood and two others at the rear, mounted above the gearbox. During the race, his drivers Jonathan Williams and Herbert Linge, fulfilled their mission in full and made it to the checkered flag. But they figured amond the nine unranked competitors for insufficient distance driven. And for good reason: the 908 Solar had to stop every 15 minutes to reload its cameras! Steve McQueen watched the race from the sidelines after his insurers prohibited him from taking the start. "We spoke briefly about the car and how it was handling, remembers Jonathan Williams. He was friendly, but I got the clear impression that I was making him a bit jealous. I was driving HIS car and I was sure he would have greatly preferred to be a competitor rather than a spectator." But the images filmed by the 908 Solar still figure as some of the most stunning of any existing motorsports movie.

To check out this unique car, head to the exhibition between Feburary 3rd and 7th: 1,300 m2 on the gangway between Hall 1 and Hall 2.2 in the Paris Expo space at the Porte de Versailles.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Quotation from the book, "A French Kiss with Death: Steve McQueen and the Making of Le Mans" by Michael Keyser and Jonathan Williams.

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 13-14 1970. The aerodynamic bumps protecting the front and rear cameras are quite visible on Solar Productions' Porsche 908.