![]() The all original “hero car” was sold and resold post production, then driven as an everyday car for some years before going into deep hiding.īoth have recently come to light. The “jumper” stunt car was discovered in Mexico and is being restored, while the other is in highly original, patinated, but complete and running condition. The scrapped car ended up in Mexico and was resurrected as a cheaply rebuilt and hastily painted white street car, before ending up virtually abandoned in someone’s back yard. One of the cars was scrapped after too many crash landings the other survived but has been behind closed doors for decades. ![]() McQueen, friend and double Bud Ekins, plus stunt wizard Carey Loftin did the driving, all shown in real time, as the actor vetoed the notion of any green screen fakery or camera speedups to make the action look fast. Race-car builder Max Balchowsky stiffened the chassis, shortened the exhaust systems, swapped the dampers and welded in camera mounts to prepare the cars for the punishment they would take during filming. Two ’68 Mustang GT390s were used, sequentially numbered cars with four-speed manual transmissions, painted in the now-iconic Highland Green Metallic shade. When pub bets are laid down for the greatest movie car chase of all time, that magical 10-or-so minutes from 1968’s Bullitt wins every time. McQueen’s Machines by Matt Stone with a foreword by Chad McQueen is $26.95 MBI: But he had talent, plus the money and taste for a fleet that would make any museum proud. Not everyone knows how good a racer he was, because stardom got in the way. And who can forget the iconic Bullitt chase scene? McQueen’s desire to make the most realistic motor sport movie ever led to Le Mans in 1971 and for The Thomas Crown Affair he drove both a Rolls-Royce and a custom, sand-jumping dune buggy. He drove buggies in Baja, entered ’bike races as “Harvey Mushman” so he wouldn’t be treated differently and built movies around his love of cars and motorcycles – always with him at the wheel or behind the handlebars. ![]() ![]() In the service he hopped-up a tank to make it go faster and he nearly won the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring in a Porsche 908. He helped to build a hot rod before he could drive. Keep scrolling for 18 of the best classic cars Steve McQueen owned throughout his life.The King of Cool gathered a fine collection of motors in his timeĮven nearly 40 years after his passing on 7 November 1980, Steve McQueen’s legend as one of the world’s most popular actors still burns brightly.īut beyond his status on stage and screen, McQueen was a motorhead of the highest order. His success on camera and as a driver allowed McQueen to amass one of Hollywood's great car collections, and fans of great cars will appreciate knowing that he definitely took them all out and pushed them to their limits. In automotive circles, McQueen is often quoted saying "Racing is life, everything else is just waiting." Whether that statement extends to filming major motion pictures, as well - or at least r acing in major motion pictures like he did in his 1971 passion project, Le Mans - is a mystery that only adds to the Steve McQueen aura. Updated February 2022: If you're a fan of Steve McQueen, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with even more facts about the King of Cool's astonishing car collection.īut many film aficionados may not realize that alongside his on-screen escapades, McQueen's passion for motoring led to a successful career as a race car driver, including competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring, where he finished second behind the legendary Mario Andretti. ![]()
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