For 13 consecutive seasons, Walter Payton was the star attraction for the Chicago Bears. Payton’s extraordinary career is most readily explained by the stats: 16,726 rushing yards, 110 ten touchdowns, 492 catches. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 and has been described by former player, coach and TV commentator Mike Dikta as the greatest player he had ever seen. Taking multiple rushing yard records in a glittering career that culminated in Super Bowl victory in 1986, Payton is remembered as one of the greatest running backs in the NFL’s 100-year history. But Payton was also a car guy. And his pride and joy for most of his adult life was a 911 Turbo. Sadly, Payton passed away in 1999, having suffered from a rare form of liver disease. He sold a number of exotic cars before his death, but one he could not part with, and would ultimately leave to his young son Jarrett, was his silver-on-black 1979 3.3-litre 930 Turbo.

Jarrett, now 37, vividly recalls his father’s fondness for his Porsche. As Payton senior’s successes compounded, he was able to add more and more cars to his collection, but the Turbo was treated like royalty. Where most were driven regularly, the Turbo was the one he kept tucked away at the back of the garage, lovingly tended to and only driven on special occasions. Payton bought the car new in 1979, the final scheduled model year for the US market for Porsche’s coveted flagship. He was a mere 25 years-old, but with a steady head on broad shoulders, he saw a value in his Turbo that transcended the mere financial. It was both a symbol of his hard work and success to date, but also a reminder to keep on striving. For Walter Payton, the 911 Turbo was a symbol of his hard work

The condition of the car only serves to reinforce Jarrett’s memories. Showing just 9,950 miles on the odometer, with gleaming fresh paintwork and unmarked leather upholstery, it is a warp-speed time capsule, perfectly preserved by father and son. Although immaculate in every respect, Payton’s 930 is not entirely original. The running back added some subtle personal touches over the years, including a RUF intercooler, chrome Gotti wheels and carbon weave detailing to the interior. When Walter Payton died he bequeathed the Turbo to his son with the caveat that the title could not be transferred until the then 19 year-old reached the age of 25. Since inheriting the car, Jarrett has cared for it just as his father did. It has been carefully stored and driven only on occasion, sometimes with Jarrett’s own son, 6-year-old Jaden. Now 37, Jarrett has had the car for 12 years, and wishes to pass it onto someone who will cherish it the way he and his father have.

The car will be offered at Mecum’s Chicago auction in Schaumburg, Illinois on October 25th.