911 Carrera

Make
Porsche
Segment
Coupe

Appearances can be deceiving. Take the Porsche 917 you see here, for example. While it may look like the iconic 917 racecar, it's actually a slot car track - one of the best we've ever seen, in fact.

Offered for sale on Bring a Trailer, this superb creation is an extravagant tribute to Le Mans, the classic 1971 film starring Steve McQueen. Housed in the bodywork of this Gulf-liveried 917 is a 1:32 scale dual-slot track inspired by the raceway from the movie.

The replica is a beautiful recreation and features exquisite detailing, such as faux exhaust outlets, working headlights and taillights, and an assortment of sponsor decals. Even the black center-locking wheels have been wrapped in racing slicks that depict wear from motorsport use.

But the party trick lives within; flick a switch, and the clamshell body moves away to reveal the miniature track.

Fashioned out of wood, the hand-painted track features period sponsor signs and displays, including the Dunlop bridge and the Martini barn. The course comprises of two hairpin turns, a main straight, and a series of bends, all aimed at making races more challenging and exciting.

It's a beautiful environment, made even better by the detailed grandstand (filled with figurines), realistic Armco-style railings, greenery, and various trackside structures, including crew stations. The piece comes with 19 slot cars, including a Ferrari 512 Coda Lunga, Lola T70, and several Porsches, including a classic 911 and a 917 finished in the Gulf livery. There's even a GT40 camera car, thrown in for good measure.

The track comes with a pair of stools and two analog race controllers. Two cars can race around simultaneously, and thanks to trackside lightning, the fun can continue even when the sun goes down - much like Le Mans itself.

As you'd expect, it's quite a large piece. Measuring 13 feet long and six feet wide, you'll need quite the entertainment area or garage to house this display. And a healthy bank account, too. With just days to go, the current bid sits at $82,000. To put that into perspective, that's a great deal more than a base model Cayenne.

Then again, it was crafted by Detroit-based Slot Mods, known for creating incredible slot car tracks. Last year, the company previewed a slot car replica of the Fiat Lingotto factory, known for its famous rooftop racetrack. The build took two years and cost the owner a whopping $225,000. Compared to that, this Le Mans piece seems like a bargain.

Save for the anachronistic McLaren MP4-12C parked on the sidelines, this is the perfect addition to any gearhead's lair and should bring hours of joy, whether from playing or simply soaking in the beauty.