McQueen machines feature in US auction

Selling for US$60,000 (AU$65,000 approx) was a 1968 Chevrolet pickup, that's alleged to have been the first 4x4 constructed by Chevrolet for the Baja 1000 road race in Mexico.

Combining a C10 chassis with C30 cab, the Baja special featured an undisclosed-capacity V8 and Turbo 400 transmission, 16-inch wheels, Goodyear R3 A/T tyres, custom fuel tanks and Corvette bucket seats.

In addition to McQueen, the Chev was reportedly driven by Bud Ekins (McQueen's friend and stunt double) and Mickey Thompson.

Other McQueen vehicles from this auction included a 1952 Chevrolet 3100 custom camper conversion, which bid up to US$75,000 (AU$81,490), but failed to meet its reserve, along with a 1937 Harley-Davidson VL motorcycle and 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross dirt bike, which were also passed in.

A Cadillac station wagon conversion owned by Elvis Presley, ex-Frank Sinatra Jaguar XJ-S, Bette Davis Mustang and Ringo Starr '57 Chevy customised by George Barris also failed to meet their reserves, but 'star cars' from TV show 'My Name is Earl' ('73 Chev El Camino) and the recent 'Green Hornet' movie ('65 Imperial custom sedan) sold for US$8,000 and US$25,000 respectively, while a Ferrari 250 GTO replica from the 1991 John Candy film, Delirious, sold for $35,000.

Full results and further details at www.mecum.com.

Images: Mecum Auctions