SoCal Villa | Summer is upon us here in the Midwest, though the cooler days with a foggy fret off the Lake would make you think otherwise. Here’s Steve McQueen maintaining a cool look, as always, in the courtyard of his Beverly Hills home on a Triumph Matisse runabout’. His ’57 Jaguar XKSS which he called The Green Rat is parked in the background. He makes that faded denim shirt and jeans ensemble with Turkish slippers look stylish.
Pillion Who? | We’re not sure who this is as passenger with Mr Steve McQueen… but if he’s racing around the Hollywood Hills like the two-wheeled fanatic he was then this gent had better hold on! Answers on a postcard to BBC TV Wood Lane London W12 8QT
Stay Cool | Effortlessly is how Steve McQueen maintains his aplomb attitude. White shirt, black tie and Persol shades. The Viceroy cigarette barely hanging to his lower lip is pure effect.
Cooler King – slim chinos, cut down sweatshirt, cigarette and Persol shades: he epitomizes Cool. A Triumph TR-6 dresses up to look German hits the mark too.
Belanglos reden – today we see out pal Steve and Bud in German Wehrmacht grey uniforms on some alpen meadow discussing tactics for the infamous chase scene in TGE. The Bikes are Triumph TR6’s dressed up to look like the R75 BMW’s that the Heer forces utilized.
Shootin’ the Breeze – here is Steve McQueen and what looks like Bud Ekins talking off road maneuvering whilst sitting astride a pair of Triumph desert sleds. Steve is wearing his Hilts top that he wore in The Great Escape so this is around 1963. Great photo.
‘Frisco Cool – as the weekend draws to a close let’s chill out with a spot-on photo of Steve McQueen scooting up the hills inThe City by the Bay. From his sharp attire this was taken during the filming of the classic movie Bullitt.
Family Values – The McQueens looking good on one of dad’s Triumphs. Chad, Steve, Terry & Niele.
Hilts – March 24th . Today would have been Steve McQueen’s 88th Birthday. The Great Escape is my favorite film.
The Driver – today is primo stunt driver Bill Hickman’s Birthday. Born in 1921 he is most known as the assassins getaway driver in Bullitt. Driving a ’68 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum R/T through the streets of San Francisco whilst being chased by Steve McQueen in his Highland Green ’68 Ford Mustang 390 GT . Here is Bill keeping an eye in the rearview mirror for Frank Bullitt. Considered one of the greatest car chases in moviedom it could never be achieved in this day and age as modern action scenes are created with unreal CGI tomfoolery. The second greatest chase is in William Friedkin’s 1971 The French Connection which was also helmed by Hickman.
Hickman was friend and driving master to James Dean. Being was first on the scene to Deans fateful crash in his 550 Spyder, and sadly the one who was at his side when he died.
On Any Sunday (1971) by Bruce Brown, who passed away yesterday at the age of 80, is considered the very best documentary that covers motorcycle racing action in Dirt Track, Road Race, Moto Cross, Hill Climbs, Bonneville Salt Flats World speed records and more. The movie stars Steve McQueen (who also backed its production), Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawill and Gene Romero. At nearly 50 years old, it still remains as a “MUST SEE” required viewing if you have anything to do with motorcycling.
Wednesday Wheelie- we need a bit of Harvey Mushman leaping out of the screen to see us into the latter part of the wee. “Number 14! Give ‘er some wellie!”
Sled – Glory Motor Works owner Justin Kell standing with a ’64 500 Triumph. Found in a dusty south California aircraft hangar it was determined to be one of Steve McQueen’s desert racers. There is talk of restoring it; I would hope they’d keep its aged patina and stop further corrosion, wipe the engine down with an oily rag, get the engine sorted to run like a champ, new Dunlop tires, and take it to the Mojave.
The Dudley Dude – a factory fresh Triumph TR6 being taken for a cruise around the Streets of London. To mark Steve McQueens Birthday here he is in his element looking cool: desert boots, jeans and Triumph tee-shirt. This moto was his number 278 steed for the upcoming ISDT that was held in East Germany. Year is 1964. B reg plate. NX designates Dudley registration.
