Author: Aoife Moriarty
The stunning vehicle is expected to fetch at least $9 million – three to four times what it would be likely to make without the iconic McQueen tag – according to motoring experts.
Ordered during the filming of The Thomas Crown Affair, the car was the only Ferrari in the actor’s stable for almost five years.
Delivered to the Hollywood legend on the set of the film Bullitt, the auto was lightly customised by McQueen. Originally coming in metallic gold, he had it repainted in classic Chianti Red. The car was also fitted with the Borrani wire wheels from his beloved 275 GTB N.A.R.T. Spider, which he had previously crashed. It also included a custom-designed rear view mirror, retractable radio antenna and custom seat trim.
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The car passed through a small number of owners – the first of which was fellow actor Guy Williams in ’71 – before its current owner commissioned a full restoration to McQueen’s specifications in 2010. It had been on display at Ferrari’s museum in Maranello, Italy since March of last year.
The impressive auto is expected to be the star of the show at RM Auction’s Monterey event, which will also feature a one-owner 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione and a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT N.A.R.T Spider.
“When it comes to cars with celebrity provenance, it doesn’t get any better than a Ferrari owned by Steve McQueen,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Auctions Europe.
“The vehicle we have on offer ticks all the boxes when it comes to collectability: it is one of the ultimate Ferraris ever built, it was recently restored by Ferrari themselves and it was delivered new to none other than the ‘King of Cool’.”
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RM Auction’s Monterey sale takes place August 15 – 16 2014 in Monterey, California
