Steve McQueen's Willys Jeep goes to auction
It might not even be the most interesting lot at Silverstone Auctions' Classic Motor Show sale this weekend...
Even 38 years after his passing (to the day, in fact), the allure and mystique around Terence Steven McQueen shows no signs of abating. 2018 marking 50 years of Bullitt will have helped, of course, but it's hard to imagine a world - especially an automotive one - that doesn't hold McQueen up as an icon.
So news of his Willys Jeep going up for sale is pretty significant. Chassis number MB452936 was built in 1945 and originally owned by the US Army, though Silverstone Auctions - in charge of selling the car this weekend - isn't clear on McQueen's ownership history. Speak now if you're more knowledgeable! What we do know is that the Jeep was registered for road use up until the end of October 1980 (implying it was in use by McQueen until then), and was sold at an auction of the Steve McQueen estate in 1984 for $6,000. It's believed that the current owner is the fourth, after the auction buyer, McQueen and the US Army.
It's going to be in demand then, put very simply, particularly with all its UK taxes paid, an MOT and recommissioning work from Jeeparts UK. Should the next owner want to, the Willys is ready to be used and enjoyed on the road. It's hard to imagine that being the case though, given the car's provenance and status. That, and the fact it's expected to make anything between eighty and a hundred thousand pounds...
There are dozens of additional interesting lots at this weekend's Classic Car Show sale; certainly too many to list here, but a few worth mentioning. There's a collection of ex-Jay Kay cars, including a Volvo 850R, BMW 850 CSI and McLaren 675LT. There are two Lotus Sunbeams, a Mercedes 500E and E500, a Capri Brooklands expected to make more than £30k and even a Volkswagen XL1. There really does appear to be something for everyone at this weekend's sale, so the lots are well worth a look. See the full auction catalogue here; resistance might well prove futile...
On the Jeep, I was surprised it had an MOT seeing as it's exempt (being a 1945 vehicle).However as it's a fresh import, did it need to have an MOT as part of the DVLA import regs? If so I assume it won't be having any more of them.
But there seems to be a demographic of curious middle aged men which has beatified McQueen - you can recognise them easily in their summer plumage of Gulf branded tat .
But there seems to be a demographic of curious middle aged men which has beatified McQueen - you can recognise them easily in their summer plumage of Gulf branded tat .
It had a heart stopping lag on the turbo but man alive it shifted. And it soundedlike hell on earth when it fired up.
As a teenager I was just as impressed with the CD player, which was one of the first in-car players, apparently.
He had to sell it when he was made redundant...he was heart broken as he planned to keep it for me to inherit.
So many happy memories riding in it.
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