A Ferrari belonging to late Hollywood actor Steve McQueen
is set to pick up between $800,000 and $1.2 million at a Christie's auction in
August, according to estimates. The car, driven by the "king of
cool" for a decade from 1963, was unveiled by the famous auction house on
Friday.
McQueen was a race car enthusiast and often performed his own
driving stunts in films. The sports car, boasting a metallic-brown exterior,
is a 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso and is said to be in remarkable condition.
Christopher Sanger, a spokesman for Christie's says, "It's
probably the best example of a Ferrari Lusso that's out there on the
marketplace. Owned by a man who made the automobile and hard driving an
essential component of cool in the 60s and 70s, this Lusso offers a truly
unique opportunity for the collector."
(World Entertainment News Network)
The ex-Steve McQueen 1963 Ferrari 250GT Lusso Chassis #4891
will be the centerpiece of Christie’s auction of Exceptional Motor Cars at the
Monterey Jet Center on August 16th.
In 1963, actor Steve McQueen ordered this car new from Otto Zipper Motors in
Santa Monica, California. Completed to McQueen’s specifications, including the
rare factory color of chestnut brown metallic with a light beige interior, it
joined his garage’s impressive collection and was greatly enjoyed.
Its current owner, Mike Regalia of Thousand Oaks, California, acquired the car
in 1997. Via a complete frame-off restoration, comprised of 4,000 plus
man-hours, Regalia returned the car to its original specifications, including
McQueen’s original license plate. The Lusso has since been featured in Motor
Trend Classic Magazine with Chad McQueen (November 2005) and displayed at
the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. It has also won numerous awards at events,
including Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Cavallino Classic.
Because only 350 Lussos have ever been built, of which this car is widely
regarded as a best example, and with its unmatched provenance by one of the most
iconic figures of the 20th century, this is an unparalleled opportunity to
acquire a very drivable and desirable front-engine V-12 Ferrari. With the
balance of McQueen’s personal collection either in museums or long-term
private collections, this is arguably the most significant celebrity-owned car
ever to come to auction.
