Steve McQueen’s Shelby 289 Cobra Up for Auction

Deep-pocketed visitors to this year’s Monterey Car Week will have a unique opportunity to own a piece of both Hollywood history and automotive heritage. Spoiler alert: they are one and the same.

Writing at Road & Track, Stephen Rivers has highlighted the upcoming sale of Steve McQueen’s very own 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster. Even without its celebrity connection, this car would command a high price due to its iconic status in the world of classic automobiles.

Mecum Auctions is managing the sale of the Cobra, which McQueen owned from 1965 to 1967. The original owner of this remarkable vehicle was David L. Wolper, a notable figure in the film industry and producer of L.A. Confidential. After Wolper, the car was owned by Elmer Bernstein, who provided it to McQueen for his use. Bernstein, a famed composer, wrote the score for many films, including the McQueen-starring The Great Escape.

Remarkably, despite being over 60 years old, the Cobra Roadster has only traveled 27,544 kilometers (or 17,115 miles). It retains its original body and engine. Mecum Auctions estimates that the car will fetch between $1.25 and $1.5 million at auction, scheduled for August 16.

This sale perfectly encapsulates McQueen’s well-documented passion for cars. His collection included some of the most enviable vehicles in the world, and he was known to engage in competitive driving. One notable example was his participation in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1970.

If the Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster sells within Mecum’s estimated range, it will indeed be an impressive transaction. However, it won’t set a new record for the priciest McQueen-associated vehicles sold at auction. McQueen’s taste in cars and his ownership of such iconic automobiles continue to fascinate and inspire car enthusiasts and collectors alike.