Gulf-branded Porsche ExCeLs at BBC event
McQueen movie honoured at Top Gear Live
2011 represents the 40th anniversary of the iconic ‘Le Mans’ movie starring Steve McQueen. In celebration, the BBC organised a VIP Gala dinner as part of its ‘Top Gear Live’ event which took place at the Docklands’ ExCeL London from 24th-27th November featuring presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
The film is one of the most realistic racing movies ever produced and two of the world’s great brands, Gulf and Porsche, feature heavily throughout. McQueen’s character, Michael Delaney, driving the Gulf-branded Porsche 917, eventually finishes the drama-packed 24 hour race in second. His teammate, Larry Wilson, takes first.
As part of the celebrations, Gulf Retail helped the BBC to secure the use of an original Porsche 917 for display at the event. The car was one of the ‘celebrities’ alongside Chad McQueen, son of the great actor, Le Mans legend and five-time winner, Derek Bell, and sports car ace David Piper, who lost a leg following a crash on the set of the film.
Interestingly, Richard Attwood, the actual winner of the 1970 race on which the film was based, was also in the audience.
“When we realised that the event might not have an original Porsche 917 in powder blue and orange, we decided to lend a hand,” explains Keith Jewers, Gulf Retail. “We are most grateful to Porsche and, in particular, its wonderful museum in Stuttgart for making this possible. As you would expect, the car was one of the stars of the show.”
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