Given the astonishing news that Steve McQueen's 1969 Porsche 917K, that featured in Le Mans (1971) and is currently owned by Jerry Seinfeld, did not sell at the recent Mecum Kissimmee event despite a $25 million bid, we thought we’d take a look at seven of McQueen's magnificent machines that have successfully sold at auctions over the years.
1969 Porsche 917K failed to sell in January 2025
Photo: Mecum
For the first three minutes and forty seconds of the 1971 film Le Mans, Steve McQueen shares the spotlight. His co-star in the opening scenes is not the Porsche 917K, but a Slate Gray 1970 Porsche 911S - delivered new to McQueen on set. This dynamic duo sets the tone for the film, with tranquil shots of McQueen navigating the snarling 911 through the serene French countryside. The imagery—McQueen reflecting on the intricate balance of life and death in competition—stands in sharp contrast to the intense racing action that later unfolds. .
1970 Porsche 911S sold by RM Sotheby's for £1.37m in 2011
Photo: Darin Schnabel @ RM Sotheby's
At the same Sotheby's auction, another exotic European sports car was put on the block. The Siata 208S Spyder, chassis BS523, was originally sold new in Los Angeles by Ernie McAfee. Around 1956, the car was purchased from McAfee by the rising acting star Steve McQueen, who added Ferrari badges and affectionately called it his "Little Ferrari."
1953 Siata 208S Spyder sold by RM Sotheby's for $946,000 in 2011
Photo: Winston Goodfellow @ RM Sotheby's
By 1963, Steve McQueen had achieved global superstardom and was ready to upgrade from his "little Ferrari" to a "big Ferrari"—a 1963 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta. The history of this car, especially during McQueen's ownership, is exceptionally well-documented through the memories and photographs of William Claxton, a close friend of McQueen and a professional photographer who once served as the Art Director of Motor Trend magazine.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta sold by Christie's for $2.3m in 2011
Photo: Christie's
In 2020, a Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the movie “Bullitt” became the most valuable Ford Mustang ever sold at auction, fetching $3.7 million at the annual Mecum Kissimmee sale in Florida. The previous record was held by a 1967 Shelby GT500 that sold for $2.2 million at the same event the previous year. The seller was happy with the result:
“This didn’t have anything to do with money,” said Sean Kiernan, whose late father Robert Kiernan purchased the car for $3,500 in 1974. “It had to do with breaking records and we did that.”
1968 Ford Mustang GT sold by Mecum for $3.7m in 2020
Photo: Photo 12
In 1967, Steve McQueen acquired another "big Ferrari," a 250 N.A.R.T. Spyder—the same model featured in The Thomas Crown Affair. Unfortunately, shortly after taking delivery, the car suffered significant damage when someone rear-ended it. Frustrated with the N.A.R.T. being out of commission, McQueen swiftly purchased another Ferrari—a 275 GTB/4—delivered to him on the set of "Bullitt".
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti sold by RM Sotheby's for $10.175m in 2014
Photo: Darin Schnabel @ RM Sotheby's
Steve McQueen drove a 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow in The Thomas Crown Affair. It was a two-door sedan specially built to individual customer order by the company’s in-house coachbuilder, H J Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd., but when he was off-duty he drove a beach buggy.
In a period documentary about the making of the film, McQueen told the story of the one-off dune buggy that so clearly demonstrated his love of cars and his driving ability: "Crown lives at the beach, and he has a sand dune buggy. I helped 'em design it, so I'm kinda proud of that. It's set on a Volkswagen chassis, with big ol' wide weenies, big wide tires on mag wheels, Corvair engine stuffed in the back...It's very light, you know. It's pulling about 230 horses, and the vehicle weighs about 1,000 pounds."
1967/68 Meyers Manx Dune Buggy sold by Bonhams for $456,000 in 2020
Photo: Bonhams
Last, but by no means least of the Magnificent Seven is a truck that Steve kept as part of his private collection of ten vehicles stored at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel during his residency there. Described by Barbara McQueen as "Steve's Baby," it was his favourite, enhanced with the signature "McQueen" touch under the hood, transforming it into a true "wolf in sheep's clothing." Steve frequently drove the truck around Beverly Hills, and it bore the registration number "MCQ3188," a nod to his student identification number at the Boys Republic reform school in Chino Hills, California.
1958 GMC Series 101-8 Pickup sold by Bonhams for $92,000 in 2012
Photo: Bonhams