The King Of Cool: A Peek Inside Steve McQueens Multi-Million Dollar Car Collection
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Steve McQueen’s exquisite car collection perfectly complemented his dynamic personality.
Steve McQueen was a legendary actor known for his anti-hero persona in films like Bullitt, The Great Escape, and The Thomas Crown Affair. McQueen epitomized cool masculinity in 1960s and 70s Hollywood with his rugged good looks and passion for racing. At the height of his career, McQueen stood out as one of the highest-paid actors in the world. McQueen’s films grossed over $100 million at the US box office, and his net worth was estimated to be around $30 million at the time of his death in 1980.
Alongside acting, Steve McQueen had a lifelong love of cars and motorcycles. He was an avid racer and collected some of the most sought-after vehicles of his era. Here are the top 10 cars from Steve McQueen's legendary collection.
1953 Hudson Hornet Sedan - $165,000
Steve McQueen purchased the Hudson Hornet 7C Sedan in 1977, and it remained in his possession until his passing on November 7, 1980. The car, known for its Twin H-Power and significant step-down design, underwent an engine rebuild during McQueen's ownership. It received a high-quality repaint to the factory's original color scheme. After McQueen's passing, the Hornet Sedan was sold into private ownership during an estate sale in November 1984. The car sold for $165,000 at a 2019 RM Sotheby's auction.
1961 Cooper T-56 Mark II - $198,000
The Cooper T-56 was one of McQueen's favorite race cars. He bought this lightweight two-seater in the 1960s and competed in numerous races, including Santa Barbara street races. The British sports car's 105 horsepower 1098cc OHV four-cylinder engine epitomized McQueen's preference for spirited small-capacity racers over brawny supercars.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible - $230,000
McQueen bought a cherry red Chevy Bel Air Convertible when he started making it big in Hollywood. The car symbolized his rapid rise to fame and fortune. Under the hood, the 283 cubic-inch V8 engine and two-speed automatic gave the Bel Air decent performance to match its bold looks, which boasted iconic tailfins and chrome accents.
1953 Siata 208S Spyder - $946,000
The curvaceous Italian Siata Spyder was another favorite among McQueen's sports car collections. He bought the car in late 1956, often drove it around Hollywood, and took it racing. The lightweight aluminum-bodied Siata was ahead of its time with all-independent suspension and a 2.0-liter V8 Fiat engine. Apart from its incredible engineering, the 208S Spyder is also one of the rarest cars on this list, with only 35 ever built, according to Hagerty.
1970 Porsche 911S ex-Le Mans - $1.3 Million
This unique, fully loaded slate gray 911S was delivered to Steve McQueen on the sets of Le Mans. The lightweight racer was powered by a 2.2-liter engine, producing an impressive 123 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. According to Top Cars, the 911S could accelerate from 0-62 MPH in 10 seconds and reach an amazing top speed of 124 MPH.
1976 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo - $1.9 Million
The 1976 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo, known for its speed and power, was another highlight of Steve McQueen's collection. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine and a top speed of 156 mph made it one of the fastest cars of its time. The 911 Turbo's distinctive design and high performance made it a symbol of Porsche's engineering prowess.
1956 Jaguar XKSS - $2 Million
The Jaguar XKSS, an exceedingly rare automobile with a production limited to 16 units, is a testament to Jaguar's ingenuity, as per HotCars. This distinguished model emerged in response to the unfortunate fire ravaging several D-Type race cars. Among Steve McQueen's esteemed collection, his black XKSS held a prominent position, boasting a formidable DOHC inline-six engine that delivered an impressive 250 horsepower and a four-speed manual transmission.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso - $2.3 Million
Steve McQueen’s wife, Neile Adams, gifted him an exquisite 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. The 250 GT Lusso was the perfect blend of high performance and comfort that befitted McQueen's star status. The stylish fastback had a race-bred Colombo V12 under the long hood and could hit 60 MPH in just 7 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 MPH. The luxury car fetched a whopping $2.3 Million at a Christie’s auction in 2011.
1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 - $3.7 Million
Undoubtedly, the Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 is one of the most iconic vehicles gracing Steve McQueen's garage. Its legendary status was solidified when McQueen took the wheel in Bullitt's unforgettable car chase scene, forever etching his name as the King of Cool. Beneath the hood lies a formidable 325 horsepower V8 engine, flawlessly mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. This stripped-down Mustang, designed for pure performance, delivered an exhilarating driving experience that perfectly complemented McQueen's charismatic persona.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 - $10.1 Million
In the realm of automotive legends, Steve McQueen's 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 holds a place of honor. This fiery red masterpiece, once the pride of the King of Cool's collection, is a testament to McQueen's renowned passion for all things automotive. The Ferrari, purchased while filming the iconic 1968 film Bullitt, is powered by a six-carburetor V12 engine producing 300 horses, as per Robb Report. After being fully restored and certified by Ferrari Classiche, this classic beauty ignited the RM Sotheby’s auction block in 2014 and fetched a jaw-dropping amount of $10.1 Million.
Steve McQueen's car collection exemplified his passion for motorsports and his love of high-performance automobiles. These top 10 cars, from lightweight European sports racers to muscular American muscle cars, were the ultimate combination of speed, style, and exclusivity - befitting one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars and most famous auto enthusiasts.
Sources - Robb Report, Hotcars, Top Cars, Hagerty
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