Steve McQueen’s Iconic Mustang & Motorcycle Garage
Steve McQueen was more than a Hollywood icon—he was a racer, a rider, and a connoisseur of machines. With a garage full of purpose-built motorcycles, high-performance sports cars, and one of the most recognizable Mustangs in cinematic history, McQueen’s collection wasn’t just impressive—it was personal. Here’s a detailed look at 20 legendary machines that rolled through the “King of Cool’s” garage.
The Bullitt Mustang – 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 Fastback
The car that launched McQueen into car culture immortality. The 1968 Mustang GT 390 Fastback, painted Highland Green, packed a 6.4L V8 rated at 325 HP with a top speed of 125 mph. McQueen drove it hard in Bullitt’s iconic chase through San Francisco. Two cars were used—one disappeared for decades, and the other resurfaced and sold for over $3.7 million.
David Merrett from Daventry, England, Wikimedia Commons
1969 Porsche 911 S
McQueen loved Porsche for its precision. His personal 1969 911 S came in Slate Gray with a 2.2L flat-six engine pushing 190HP. With lightweight handling and a top speed of 150 MPH, the 911 S was a frequent choice on road trips and made an appearance in the film Le Mans.
Steve McQueen driving Porsche 911S - Le Mans intro, Bib48_MovieClips
Porsche 908/02 Spyder
During the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring, McQueen co-drove a Porsche 908/02 despite having a cast on his foot. The car featured a 3.0L flat-eight engine with 350HP and topped out at around 200 MPH. Remarkably, he and co-driver Peter Revson finished second overall—against professional teams.
Detectandpreserve, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche 917K – The Le Mans Hero
The 917K was one of the most powerful race cars of its era. Used in Le Mans (1971), it boasted a flat-12 engine that produced 620HP, with a blistering top speed of 240–250 MPH on the Mulsanne Straight. Though McQueen didn’t race it himself, he helped immortalize it in film.
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta
McQueen’s 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso was one of the most elegant cars he owned. With a 3.0L Colombo V12, it offered 250HP and a top speed of 150 MPH. He drove this car regularly in L.A. traffic, proving that sophistication and performance could coexist.
Jaguar XKSS – 1956 British Racing Green
A road-legal version of the D-Type race car, the XKSS was stunning and rare. Only 16 were built before a factory fire halted production. McQueen’s example featured a 3.4L inline-six producing 250HP and a top speed near 150 MPH. He nicknamed it the “Green Rat.”
1951 Hudson Hornet
This big-bodied American sedan was a sleeper. With its “Twin H-Power” inline-six engine, the Hornet made 170 HP and could reach 106 MPH. McQueen’s appreciation for this underdog classic revealed his taste for both beauty and brute force.
Bengt Oberger, Wikimedia Commons
1951 BSA C11 Motorcycle
One of his earliest motorcycles, the BSA C11 had a 249cc single-cylinder OHV engine that made around 12 HP. Its top speed of 60–65 mph was modest, but it sparked McQueen’s enduring passion for motorbikes.
The original uploader was Piero at Dutch Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons
Triumph TR6 Trophy – The Great Escape Bike
While Bud Ekins performed the iconic jump in The Great Escape, McQueen did most of the riding. The bike was a disguised Triumph TR6, a 650cc twin with approximately 50 HP and a top speed of 100 mph—perfect for off-road escapism.
Portlandjim, Wikimedia Commons
1963 Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled
Built for rugged off-road races like Baja, this modified Bonneville delivered 50–55HP from a 650cc engine. McQueen used it to compete in grueling desert events, including the Mint 400. Its top speed was approximately 105 MPH.
Made to Ride: A Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled Story, Ride Journal
Métisse Desert Racer
Designed by Bud Ekins and built by Rickman Métisse, this dirt bike used a tuned 650cc Triumph twin and a lightweight custom frame. Producing around 50HP and 100+ MPH top speed, it was McQueen’s personal favorite for desert racing.
Ronald Saunders, Wikimedia Commons
Husqvarna 400 Cross
In 1970, McQueen switched to the Swedish-built Husqvarna 400 Cross. It had a 396cc two-stroke engine producing 40 HP and could reach 85–90 MPH. This nimble bike was featured in On Any Sunday (1971), the documentary McQueen helped finance.
1969 Husqvarna 400 Cross 8 Speed Iconic Classic, KAPLAN AMERICA
1967 Mini Cooper S
Proof that McQueen didn’t only love large-displacement monsters. His Mini Cooper S was compact but feisty, with a 1.3L inline-four making 76HP. With a top speed of 95–100 MPH, it was his go-to for quick errands in L.A. traffic.
1970 Chevrolet Blazer K5
McQueen used the Blazer for off-road adventures and towing motorcycles. Powered by a 5.7L V8, it made 255HP and could reach 105 MPH—fast for a 4x4 utility vehicle of the era.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
This classic American cruiser had a 4.6L small-block V8 producing 220–270HP, depending on trim. McQueen’s version paired elegance with muscle, offering a top speed of 115 MPH and styling worthy of a Hollywood boulevard.
1956 Ford F100 Pickup
Sometimes a man just needs a truck. McQueen's F100 was a no-nonsense ride with a 4.4L V8 producing 167HP. It wasn’t built for speed—top speed was around 90 MPH—but it hauled gear, motorcycles, and attitude in equal measure.
1970 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum (Owned Briefly)
Ironically, McQueen briefly owned a Charger like the one that chased him in Bullitt. Its 6.5L V8 made 375HP with a top speed of 145 MPH. Though he didn’t keep it long, it was one of the few cars faster than the Bullitt Mustang.
1961 Cooper T56 Formula Junior
McQueen raced this open-wheeled single-seater during his brief but serious foray into competitive driving. The car featured a 1.1L engine producing 75–100HP, with a top speed of 125–130 MPH. It showcased his precision driving skills.
1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial
A stunning art deco machine, the Airflow boasted aerodynamic styling ahead of its time. With a straight-eight engine making 130HP and a top speed of 95 MPH, it wasn’t fast—but McQueen appreciated its design innovation and rarity.
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, Wikimedia Commons
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Owned briefly by McQueen, this V12-powered Ferrari featured a 3.3L engine producing 300HP. With a top speed of 160 MPH, it combined Italian craftsmanship with fierce speed—embodying everything McQueen loved about driving.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
The Soul Behind the Wheel
Steve McQueen didn’t just collect cars—he lived with them, raced them, and pushed them to their limits. His garage reflected not only a passion for speed but a respect for mechanics, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Whether it was the raw roar of a Mustang or the surgical handling of a Porsche, each vehicle tells a story of rebellion, style, and relentless drive. And together, they remind us why McQueen will forever be the King of Cool.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
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