steve mcqueen

World's Most Expensive Porsche Sells for $4 Million in Monterey

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A rare 1970s Porsche racecar just fetched $4 million at Bonhams' sale in Monterey, setting a new world record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction. The stunning and historic car, the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder, neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe (above), was hammered down after fierce bidding. The car is similar to the famed model driven by Steve McQueen in Le Mans. Many other strong prices were attained for Bonhams' rarest offerings, including a 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter SS Tourer for $2.5 million, and the ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe for $800,000. Earlier we reported on the nine Ferraris which each fetched over $1 million at RM Auctions' own Monterey sale.

Tags: Bonhams, California, classic cars, Ferrari, Le Mans, Mercedes-Benz, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, Porsche, Porsche 917, racecar, RM Auctions, Steve McQueen, world record, worlds most expensive

TAG Heuer Limited Edition Split-Seconds Stopwatch

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As part of its ongoing 150th anniversary celebrations, TAG Heuer is releasing a limited edition stopwatch that has a big dose of Steve McQueen style. Harking back to Heuer's racing heritage and evocative of the Heuer instruments on McQueen's Siata Spyder or "Little Ferrari". The STH810 Limited Edition Split-seconds Stopwatch features a 55mm chrome-plated brass case weighing in at 120g, or roughly equivalent to a standard TAG Heuer watch case (without bracelet). The movement encompasses 9 jewels, and features a tough anti-magnetic spring and reasonable shock protection. It records time to within 1/5^th of a second, and has a split action timer measuring start, stop, and time-out.The crystal is made of Plexiglass. Each stopwatch comes in a leather presentation box and has limited edition numbering on the back, and the series is limited to 1,860 pieces worldwide - the year the brand was founded with Edouard Heuer's first pocket watch.

[via Watch Happening]

Tags: Heuer, motor racing, racing, Steve McQueen, stopwatch, TAG Heuer, watch

Sammy Davis Jr.'s Heuer Monaco at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping

Steve McQueen made the Heuer Monaco famous in 1971's racing film Le Mans, but does Rat Pack-er Sammy Davis Jr. deserve credit for adopting it before the King of Cool? A 1969 Monaco (above) that belonged to Davis Jr. and which he wore on a trip to Vietnam to entertain the troops is being offered for sale during Antiquorum's Important Collectors' Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks sale in New York on June 10. The classic square-faced chronograph designed for motor racing was recently re-introduced by TAG Heuer in celebration of the model's 40th anniversary. Last year McQueen's own Monaco sold at auction for a world record $87,600. Davis' watch carries an estimate of only $4,000 – $6,000, but will probably fetch much more than that.

Tags: Antiquorum, Heuer, Heuer Monaco, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve McQueen, TAG Heuer, watches

Porsche Cayman Interseries Kicks off in Georgia [Video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Video

This past weekend, Porsche's newly formed Cayman Interseries staged the second race of the inaugural season at the famous Road Atlanta racetrack n Braselton, Georgia. Established in 2009 by Napleton Porsche of Westmont, Illinois, the Cayman Interseries is North America's only auto racing championship featuring the exclusive use of the 320 hp Porsche Cayman S. Sanctioned by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), the Cayman Interseries is conducting its first official season in 2010 and will crown a pair of champion drivers in both the sprint and endurance racing formats. Races will be run on legendary circuits such as Daytona, Sebring, Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta and other premier venues. Every competing Porsche Cayman S is exclusively supplied and prepared by Napleton Porsche and each car competes with an assigned and specific heritage livery themed after a famous Porsche racecar from the past, such as Steve McQueen's Le Mans racer. Check out the video for details on the new Cayman spec-series, interviews with the series founders and on-track footage of the heritage livery-themed 2010 Porsche Caymans.

Tags: auto racing, Daytona, Georgia, Porsche, Porsche Cayman, Porsche Cayman S, race, racecar, racing, Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen Style: 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Luso for Sale at $1.6 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

In honor of the 80th anniversary of Steve McQueen's birth, global online luxury marketplace JamesList is offering a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso for sale nearly identical to the one owned by the legendary actor. The "King of Cool"'s own 1963 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, the jewel in his collection of exotic sports cars, was sold at auction in 2007 for $2.3 million; this one is priced at about $1.6 million. In production for barely 18 months, only 350 of the coveted cars were built, making it one of the most sought-after of all Ferrari's front-engined V-12 powered gran turismos. The Berlinetta Lusso on offer was owned by world famous conductor Herbert von Karajan and was built in 1964. Originally introduced at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, the Lusso combined the best features of the 250 GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta and the 250 GTO in one beautiful, refined, quick, responsive, luxurious package, wrapped in one of Pininfarina's most attractive designs. The car on offer, finished in silver with a red leather interior, was completely restored by the Modena-based specialist Brandoli in 1985 and remains in pristine condition.

Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GT, Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, JamesList, Pininfarina, Steve McQueen

Driving in Style: Alluring Autos 1930 - 1965

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Books

In conjunction with an exhibition titled The Allure of the Automobile which just opened at Atlanta's High Museum of Art, SkiraRizzoli will publish a book dedicated to the entrancing vehicles featured in it later this month. The Allure of the Automobile: Driving in Style 1930–1965 traces the evolution of the artisan-crafted luxury motorcar. Embodying speed, style, and elegance, the carefully selected vehicles first broke records on racetracks and won awards at prestigious classic car events around the world. Examining the contrasts between European and American design, the influence of the decorative arts, and the significant changes in automotive styling before and after World War II, the book highlights eighteen of the world's rarest and most coveted cars manufactured between 1930 and 1965.

In addition to the legendary Porsche Type 64, the exhibit and book features Steve McQueen's 1957 Jaguar XK-SS and Clark Gable's 1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster, as well as a classic Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Bugatti Type 57S and more. Ronald Labaco, curator of the exhibition, provides historical context and pays homage to these remarkable machines that can be seen as fine art, sculpture, and the embodiment of an industrial craft to be remembered for generations, while extensive entries by noted automotive historian Ken Gross consider each masterpiece and Peter Harholdt's photography stunningly details the custom-built designs that were created for the privileged few. See the gallery for images.

Gallery: The Allure of the Automobile

Tags: Allure of the Automobile, Atlanta, classic cars, High Museum of Art, museums, Porsche, Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen's "Little Ferrari" for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The 1953 Siata 208S Spyder (above) that actor Steve McQueen affectionately dubbed his "Little Ferrari" is being offered for sale by California's Fantasy Junction for $1.295 million. The Italian roadster, one of only 35 built, was one of the first foreign sports cars acquired by the King of Cool who came to be famous for his stable of exotic autos. Featured in the 2007 book McQueen's Machines, it was formerly part of the Cars of Steve McQueen exhibition at The Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles.

Bruce Sand, the doctor and former UCLA Medical School student who acquired the car from McQueen, recounts that the actor had removed the Siata's front nose badge, put a Ferrari shield on it, and called it his "Little Ferrari". In addition to a 2.3 Litre 8-cylinder Fiat engine, the car features a very rare set of TAG Heuer racing instruments (watch and stop-watch), which are affixed to the dashboard. Painstakingly restored to perfection with the engine completely rebuilt, the car has won honors at several concours d'elegance.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Steve McQueen's 1953 Siata

Tags: California, convertible, Ferrari, Siata, Steve McQueen, TAG Heuer

Bonhams Sale Celebrates 150 Years of TAG Heuer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions, Charity

As we noted in this week's Classicist column, famed Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion Bonhams will auction the Haslinger Collection of fine and rare Heuer watches on December 15 in London. The museum-quality single owner collection was built up with the aim of representing the very best of Heuer timepieces. Comprising over 100 lots, it includes many of the most iconic models such as the Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Daytona and Monaco (above), made famous by Steve McQueen. The watches range in value from £1,500 to £15,000. TAG Heuer have also created a one-off watch especially for this auction. Based on the newly launched Silverstone model, the dial incorporates Jack Heuer's signature. Proceeds from the watch will be donated to the Green Cross International charity. Arno Haslinger will also donate his original Silverstone to be auctioned for this cause and Bonhams will add a further 20% to the hammer price and an additional £5,000 in support of the charity. Prior to arriving in London, a selection of highlights from the collection will be on display as part of the TAG Heuer 150th Anniversary world tour.

Gallery: 150 Years of TAG Heuer at Bonhams

A fine and rare Autavia chronograph. Ref. 2446 M.

Tags: Bonhams, Green Cross International, Heuer, London, Steve McQueen, TAG Heuer

Steve McQueen's 1940 Indian Chief at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Steve McQueen's magnificent 1940 Indian Chief motorcycle, one of the most prized among his collection, is being auction off on Nov. 14 during Bonhams & Butterfields' Classic California sale at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The King of Cool was pictured with the beloved bike on the cover of the book Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. The actor had the classic moto meticulously restored by Southern California's Starklite Motors in the '70s and used it to zoom around the Hollywood Hills. It's estimated at an extremely reasonable $55,000 - $65,000. Also on offer is McQueen's original condition 1949 Chevy pickup which he used to travel incognito around Beverly Hills, wearing sunglasses and a big cowboy hat to dodge the paparazzi; it's estimated at $20,000 - $30,000.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: Bonhams, Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsButterfields, celebrity, Indian motorcycles, IndianMotorcycles, Los Angeles, LosAngeles, motorcycle, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen

Triumph and TAG Heuer Honor Steve McQueen With Special Bonneville

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Triumph Bonneville Heuer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Triumph and TAG Heuer have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind Bonneville Heuer motorcycle. Inspired by Steve McQueen and the Porsche 917k that the famous actor, racecar driver and motorcycle rider piloted in the classic film Le Mans, the Bonneville Heuer is painted up in the classic Gulf Oil blue and orange scheme and will be used for promotional purposes.

McQueen famously wore a Heuer Monaco watch in the aforementioned race film and was a renowned Triumph enthusiast. Says Neil Morley, Triumph's Head of Brand Communications:

We are delighted to play our part in this exciting project. The Triumph Bonneville and TAG Heuer Monaco are both timeless masterpieces, celebrating their respective 50th and 40th anniversaries this year. We also both have a natural connection with Steve McQueen, who famously wore a Monaco watch in the film Le Mans and was renowned for his love of our bikes, making this a very natural collaboration.

As much as we'd like to tell you this will be an optional color choice for the production Bonneville, that's not currently the case. If you like it as much as we do, perhaps a phone call to your local Triumph dealer is in order.

Gallery: Triumph Bonneville Heuer

[Source: Triumph]

Tags: bonneville, bonneville heuer, BonnevilleHeuer, heuer, steve mcqueen, SteveMcqueen, tag heuer, TagHeuer, triumph, triumph bonneville, triumph bonneville heuer, TriumphBonneville, TriumphBonnevilleHeuer

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Custom "Thomas Crown" Steve McQueen Persols

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

High end online optical boutique Eyegoodies has come out with limited edition customized Persol sunglasses modeled on the ones Steve McQueen wore in 1968's classic The Thomas Crown Affair. The super stylish shades are made using Persol's 714 folding model, the one favored by McQueen recently re-introduced by the famed Italian eyewear firm and shown in our Essential Summer Style feature. To make the Thomas Crown edition (above), Eyegoodies' Frank Scious removes the lenses and replaces them with top quality French optical lenses manufactured by Essilor, custom tinted to the perfect shade of blue like the ones made specially for McQueen to wear in the movie. Scious also offers the bespoke blue lenses for another classic Persol style worn by the King of Cool, No. 649. The Thomas Crown edition shades cost $389 - not bad considering a similar pair from Mcqueen's personal collection was auctioned off in 2006 for $70,000.

Tags: Eyegoodies, Persol, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, sunglasses

Duncan Quinn's Killer Looks for Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

Duncan Quinn, the London-born, New York-based menswear designer whose Savile Row-with-a-twist togs are favored by the likes of Sean Combs, Entourage star Adrien Grenier, LeBron James and alt-rockers Green Day, has come out with a new collection of killer looks for fall. Quinn's inspiration for the season "comes from a misspent youth and perennial love for the gentleman, the rogue and the gentleman rogue," the designer notes, citing as influences Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair and Peter O'Toole in How to Steal a Million. Suits are made from the finest fabrics, in chalkstripes, sharkskin, mohair and cashmere, woven in England to Quinn's specifications in understated colors like black, charcoal and gunmetal. Above is a bespoke gunmetal wool and mohair suit with a ticket pocket ($5,000), worn with a pink cotton herringbone french cuff shirt, "gangster chic" motif silk tie, fleur-de-lys enamel and sterling silver cufflinks and a bespoke wool and cashmere overcoat, photographed outside Robert de Niro's Greenwich Hotel.

Tags: bespoke, Duncan Quinn, DuncanQuinn, Greenwich Hotel, GreenwichHotel, menswear, Peter OToole, PeterOtoole, Savile Row, SavileRow, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, suits

Steve McQueen Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Steve McQueen didn't live too long in this 15-acre ranch in Santa Paula, California but it does reflect a bit of the spirit of the King of Cool. McQueen and his third wife, Barbara Minty moved to the ranch in 1979 and were married in the home's living room in January 1980, sadly, McQueen died later that year. This ranch includes an 1892 house with unique details like stained glass windows and vintage fireplaces. The home has been updated since McQueen's time at the ranch and has a new kitchen and wine room. Some rooms, however, still look in need of a bit of a refresher.

The ranch's property includes three acres of Syrah vineyards, fruit trees, an equestrian facility and an airplane hanger where McQueen once kept his extensive car and motorcycle collection and his biplane. This property is listed at $1.95 million.

[via the LA Times Hot Property]

Gallery: Steve McQueen Ranch

Source

Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, ranch, steve mcqueen, SteveMcqueen

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EXCLUSIVE PHOTO FEATURE: Essential Summer Style, Starring the Jaguar XK Convertible

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Gadgets, Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Cosmetics and Fragrance, Shoes, Books, Men's Style

Click above for high res image gallery and full credit info. Photographed by Adrianna Ault for Luxist.

Welcome to the first in a new series of exclusive photo features showcasing seasonal style essentials inspired by classic icons of elegance, sport and design, photographed with the most beautiful and coveted cars on the road. The emphasis is on luxury of course, but of the timeless variety as opposed to mere extravagance.

In our recent Classicist column on the 2010 Jaguar XK convertible coming out this August, we remarked on the sleek new cat's stylistic heritage dating back to 1948's XK120, as driven by the likes of Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable, as well as later models like the D-Type (or XK-SS) made famous by the great Steve McQueen. The first in our new series of exclusive shoots is inspired by them and stars the XK in homage to these stylish icons, both man and automotive (read all about the new XK here).

In particular, the influence of Gable (with his XK120 in 1954, top right) and McQueen (with his XK-SS, center right) can be seen in the summery style essentials we've assembled for this shoot. For the pastoral setting we drew on another classic Jaguar reference, an image of writer Truman Capote in a Jaguar XK-E, the model most closely aligned with the new XK, in the Hamptons in 1965 (bottom right).

In the spirit of summer we've chosen a classic combination of navy and white, popular as fashionable resort wear for a nearly a century and still going strong in the right circles. While navy blazers of the type shown here originated as part of English cricket club scenery and other elegant sporting occasions such as the Henley Royal Regatta, without gold buttons it needn't be unnecessarily nautical or costume-y.

The jacket shown here, in tropical weight wool with soft shoulders by the dashing Italian house of Etro, references its sporting antecedents with grosgrain tipping on the lapels, pockets and cuffs; however, since it is finished in the same color as the jacket the effect is a subtle one, while the slim cut updates the look with Italian flair. A cream linen camp shirt by Paul Stuart and white linen pants by Polo Ralph Lauren round out the rest of the ensemble.

As an alternative on cooler days or evenings - which we've certainly had plenty of this summer - we've also included a variation of the navy blazer by Brooks Brothers made of butter-soft goat suede with spiffy sporting details including a throat latch, stand-up collar, action back and pure Irish linen lining, which calls to mind the jacket worn by Gable above.

While a polka dot foulard silk scarf by the venerable British clothier Turnbull & Asser (shirtmaker to the Prince of Wales) provides not only another classic touch and added dose of sprezzatura, it also protects against the elements while piloting the XK with the top down at serious speeds. A hefty dose of McQueen meanwhile can be seen in the rakish cap, sunglasses and watch. For the feet and the road, a pair of pebble-sold leather driving moccasins by Tod's keep the haute Italian vibe going.

The checked linen driving cap - this model is made by Brooks Brothers - of the type favored by McQueen has no brim to collide with a car's headrest, and is infinitely more elegant than a baseball cap. Also on view: iconic Italian Persol sunglasses, in particular the model made famous by McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair. Starring in this feature are a foldable version of McQueen's faves, as well as a couple of other killer Persol models; all are available at Ilori. Also included is a pair of shades by Paul Smith. The watch is a classic and vintage stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II, available at Tourneau, of a similar design to the Rolex Submariner model favored by McQueen (and which recently fetched a record price at auction). Read on for details of the rest of the accessories after the jump.

Gallery: Essential Summer Style 7/09

Tags: Adrianna Ault, AdriannaAult, Brooks Brothers, BrooksBrothers, camera, Clark Gable, ClarkGable, classic cars, ClassicCars, convertible, Duke of Windsor, DukeOfWindsor, Etro, Floto Imports, FlotoImports, hats, Ilori, Jaguar, Leica, lighter, Paul Smith, Paul Stuart, PaulSmith, PaulStuart, Persol, photography, Polo, Prince of Wales, PrinceOfWales, prosecco, Ralph Lauren, RalphLauren, Rolex, S.T. Dupont, S.t.Dupont, scarf, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, summer, summer style, SummerStyle, sunglasses, teNeues, Tods, Tourneau, Truman Capote, TrumanCapote, Turnbull Asser, TurnbullAsser, Via dei Mille, ViaDeiMille

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The Classicist: Cruising in the New 2010 Jaguar XK Convertible

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, The Classicist

A few years back we went on one of the best road trips ever at the wheel of a Jaguar XK convertible. So we literally leapt at the chance to take the brand new one for a spin. Jaguar roadsters have always held a place of honor in the pantheon of stylish sports cars, dating back to the legendary XK120, forerunner of the current model - although stylistically the new XK owes more to the XK-E (E-Type) with its oval mouth. The XK120 referred to the car's top speed; when introduced in 1948 it was the world's fastest standard production car, with killer looks to match. It acquired an instant aura of glamor and cemented Jaguar's reputation forever when Gary Cooper, Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart cruised Hollywood in their XK120s like stylish gods. (We'll develop on this theme further in a later installment).

The XK120 evolved into the famous race-winning XK120-C, or C-Type, that in turn led to the wicked D-Type, made famous by Steve McQueen, and eventually the iconic E-Type, which as noted the current model most closely resembles. First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the E-Type's legendary power to attract the opposite sex was phrased best by American motoring writer Henry Manney III, who dubbed it "The greatest crumpet-catcher known to man." Not a bad precedent for its more recent relation. While we didn't actually catch any crumpets with the new XK, it wasn't the car's fault as we were more interested in zooming down the road than cozying up to the local flora and fauna. Also there are a lot more outlandish-looking autos on the road these days; compared to these the XK exudes an elegant aura of restrained power that behooves its feline namesake; very British in a sense.

For 2010 the aluminum-bodied XK available as of this August is kitted out with an AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0-liter engine capable of delivering 385 hp and 515 Nm of torque (a supercharged version produces 510 hp and 625 Nm of torque). With these numbers the naturally aspirated version hits 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Some subtle, sporty updates over previous models have been made to the exterior without detracting from the car's stylistic heritage, including a new front end, new rear lights fitted with LED technology, a new rear body valance, body-colored side power vents, chrome-detailed inserts, and sleek alloy wheels.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XK Convertible