Christie’s International Motor Cars has 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 important acting icons. This highly-desirable car will be sold at Christie’s International Motor Cars 2007 flagship auction that takes place on Thursday, August 16 at the Monterey Jet Center in California (estimate: US$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. 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 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 by the car collecting community illustrate that Mike’s original intentions were well surpassed. 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.

The Lusso has since its restoration 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.

Christie’s is the longest continuous name in the collectors’ car market, having held auctions devoted solely to motor cars since 1972. Christie’s remains the choice of the individual who wishes to sell a unique and rare motor car or collection. Uniquely placed in the market, Christie’s International Motor Cars concentrates on quality rather than quantity. The Department consists of seven specialists based in London, Brussels, New York, Texas and California, devoted to network of sale sites that include Paris, Le Mans, Monterey and Connecticut.