Steve McQueen's Porsche Sells For Over $1m.

A Classic Porsche 908 and Steve Mcqueen

Steve McQueen's love affair with what we now appreciate as classic cars, inspired him to consider becoming a professional racing car driver. McQueen won the 3 litre class in the annual 12 Hours of Sebring motor sport endurance race in 1970 driving his Porsche 908 with co-driver Peter Revson. Mcqueen somehow completed this race with his foot in plaster following a motorbike accident a fortnight before. Just 23 seconds behind overall winner Mario Andretti and his partner in a 5 litre Ferrari, it was pretty clear McQueen was blessed with a choice of professions.

A few days back, the 1970 Porsche 911 used in the film Le Mans and once owned by McQueen sold for $1.367 million, which translates to a hefty £832,800. The auction took place in Monterey, California and was a world record for a 911. Quite sobering to think that the price of a 911 in 1970 might be around $8,000.

In typically 1970's understated slate grey, this was Porsche's 200th automobile sold at auction for over a million dollars. And remember, if you own a similar vintage vehicle, Performance Direct can provide you with all your high performance classic motor insurance needs.

Steve McQueen Loved Classic Motor Cars

McQueen also owned a Porsche 356 and a Jaguar D-Type XKSS among many others, and it has been reported that the car he really wanted – the Ford Mustang GT 390 that he drove in the film Bullitt (remember that engine sound as it moved through the gears?) - he never managed to get hold of. One of the two being scrapped after being badly damaged and the other vehicle was simply not for sale.

The need for speed permeated throughout the actor's life. He also was known for his love of motor bikes, owning a BSA Hornet and deftly riding a TT Special 650 Triumph, which was painted olive to look like a German wartime BMW, in the film The Great Escape. Indeed, cars and motorcycles featured in many of his films; Dodge Charger & Mustang in Bullitt, Beach Buggy in The Thomas Crown Affair and Porsche 911 and 917 in Le Mans.

In 1966 he test drove eight of the world's best Grand Touring cars for a nine page spread in Sports Illustrated magazine.

McQueen, who once said “..I'm not sure whether I'm an actor who races or a racer who acts..” first showed a love for cars at age 12, building a “hot rod” with a pal from a Ford 60 engine and a Model -A frame.

Not just an actor who raced nor a racer who acted, Steve McQueen put his all into both acting and racing. I somehow think it rather a deserved compliment that this Porsche 911 sold for silly money.