New York, April 27, 2007 - Christie's International Motor Cars announced the sale of the 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, chassis number 4891 once owned, driven and raced by Steve McQueen, one of the world's most famous film stars. This highly-desirable car will be sold at Christie's International Motor Cars 2007 flagship auction on Thursday, August 16 at the Monterey Jet Center in California (estimate: $800,000-1,200,000).
"We are thrilled to be offering this seductive car," says Christopher Sanger, Vice President and Head of Christie's Car Sales in the Americas. "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. This was his personal run around - not a film one-off extra - but a car used for the grocery run, as well as trips to the racetrack."
McQueen started car collecting after his first acting paychecks in the early 1950s, purchasing an MG. His interest developed, owning Porsches, a Siata, Jaguar and a Shelby Cobra - and then in 1963, he purchased this Lusso, his first Ferrari.
McQueen special ordered the stunning combination of marrone, a medium-brown metallic paint with an elegant beige leather interior from Otto Zipper Motors in Santa Monica. Balanced against the Borrani wire wheels and a Pininfarina body sculptured by renowned coachbuilder Scagletti, the car is arguably one of the most attractive Ferrari's ever-built.
Enjoying the car for a decade, McQueen traded the Ferrari in 1973 - but left his stamp on the 'McQueen Ferrari Lusso', which was acquired in 1997 by respected restorer Michael Regalia. Mike decided to restore the car back to its original condition, exceeding 4,000 hours of work.
The result is the world's finest surviving example of a 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso - a car that is often referred to as the cousin of the legendary Ferrari 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO. Accepted in to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, along with numerous other awards and trophies, the car and its reception surpassed Mike's original intentions.
Along with the hugely desirable provenance from the King of Cool, this automobile is a truly exceptional motor car and its sale will be one of the major highlights of the long weekend of enthusiast events surrounding the annual Monterey Historic race meeting and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this coming August.
Auction:
August 16, 2007 Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center
Viewing:
April 27 - May 9 & May 24 - 31, Christie's New York
June 1 - 3, Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Connecticut
August 12 - 16, Monterey Jet Center, Monterey, California
For More information visit the Christie's Car Department at www.christies.com/cars
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