Steve McQueen was an American actor and cultural icon, often referred to as the “King of Cool” for his charismatic on-screen presence and rugged charm. Known for his roles in classic films such as “Bullitt,” “The Great Escape,” and “Le Mans,” McQueen was an avid car and motorcycle enthusiast. His passion for racing and high-performance vehicles was well-documented, both in his film roles and personal life. McQueen’s influence in the classic car world is profound, as his ownership and association with specific cars, like the Ford Mustang GT from “Bullitt” and the Porsche 917 from “Le Mans,” have made these vehicles legendary.
McQueen’s cars are a big deal when they come up for sale and the 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster that will be offered by Mecum at their Monterey auction next month is no exception. It is worth noting that while this was very much a car enjoyed by Steve McQueen, it was actually loaned to him by its second owner, a composer and friend of McQueen.
CSX 2161 - Not Just Any Shelby Cobra
We’re not going to bore anyone with the history of the Shelby Cobra – that’s pretty well established and if you’re reading this then you likely know all you need about the car that started the legend of Carroll Shelby. Instead, let’s focus on this specific 289 Cobra.
It was first owned by David L. Wolper, a well-known film producer whose credits include “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” as well as “L.A. Confidential.” He kept the car until 1965 when he sold it to noted composer Elmer Bernstein.
Bernstein was close friends with Steve McQueen – close enough friends that he essentially bought CSX2161 and handed it over to McQueen right away. That’s the sort of friend we could all use!
McQueen enjoyed the car from 1965 until late 1967, several months after Bernstein sold the car to its next owner, Richard A. Mathis. It must have been tough to say no to McQueen at the height of his stardom, so he was allowed to keep the car for “several” months following Mathis’ purchase.
After it changed hands a few more times over the following years, CSX2161 was shipped off to Switzerland in 2003, at which point it was repainted black and the driver’s roll bar was installed along with FIA Halibrand wheels, plus the hood scoop and chrome rear quick jacks. It eventually found its way to the UK in 2006, where it remained until this year.
A copy of its UK registration is included in the sale as well as homologation paperwork, MOT certificates, an AC Club owner’s card, and a CD containing images of the car during its restoration.
Originality is Key
CSX2161 retains its original engine and body, featuring a patina that shows the car has been enjoyed but also well-maintained. That being said, the interior could stand to have a little work done as those seats look their age, and not in the best way.
At the end of the day the value of this car will really depend on what the next owner intends to do with it. If it’s heading straight for a full restoration, then that will take some of the value off the top. But if the next owner wants to keep it as-is, then the McQueen association will likely play a bigger role in the final price.
How Important is McQueen?
It’s becoming more difficult to find people outside of the collector car world who know who Steve McQueen was, at least under a certain age, so although it doesn’t seem like we’re quite at this point yet, one day in the future the associate with McQueen will become much less important to a potential buyer. So it’s likely the right time for the seller to offload this to someone who will still appreciate the significance of McQueen’s custodianship. How much that bumps the price over any other 289 Cobra in similar condition is an open question, but it will likely sell for $1,000,000 – $1,200,000 all-in.