Steve McQueen's Husqvarna 400 Cross sells at auction for $186,500

A 1970s Husqvarna motocross bike owned by The Great Escape star Steve McQueen has sold for $186,500 (£157,919) at an auction in California.

The 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross is said to still be in the condition it was when ridden by McQueen. It has not been started since being sold in the 1984 Steve McQueen Estate Auction after his death, and still has all the dents and scratches from his use.

Powered by a 396cc two-stroke single, the favoured Husky was sold with a certificate of authenticity, plus the bill of sale given to the buyer back in 1984. Since that time, it’s had three owners, with the latest keeper enjoying it for the past 11 years.

The 400 Cross formed part of The Quail Auction on August 19, which took place at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California. Nestled amongst a 137-strong line-up of rare and collectable cars, it was one of three motorcycles at the event.

Joining this was a 1950 Vincent Rapide Series C Black Shadow, and a 1954 Norton Big 4. These sold for $51,750 and $11,500 respectively.

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Steve McQueen’s ‘On Any Sunday’ Husky to be Auctioned

First published on 18 July 2018 by Ben Clarke

Bonhams Los Angeles is selling a 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross owned and ridden by Steve McQueen in the film On Any Sunday.

The bike, which featured in the cult film about America’s relationship with the motorcycle will be sold at auction on Saturday, October 6 at the Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Included with the bike is a trove of documentation including McQueen’s ownership card from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, his entry form for the 1970 Saddleback 500 Senior Race, and a lucky penny found tucked away between the engine and frame. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qoEKHkvJIkQ

1949 Vincent Black Lightning

The same auction will also see the sale of a Vincent Black Lightning, one of only 30 ever made.

Sometimes called the ‘Ferrari GTO of two wheels’, this beautiful example (the second one built) is expected to fetch between £300,000 – 380,000.

Ordered new in 1949 for Swiss NSU factory team racer Hans Stärkle, it has a full ownership history and is the earliest most original example in existence.

If you’ve got a slightly smaller budget, try MCN Bikes for Sale.

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Steve McQueen’s 1970 Husqvarna up for auction

First published on 16 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

The Husqvarna 400 Cross ridden by Steve McQueen in ‘On Any Sunday’ will be auctioned off by London-based Bonhams in Las Vegas in January.

McQueen became associated with the Swedish brand in the early seventies, quickly becoming his preferred mount, and subsequentally featured in many of his movies and photoshoots.

On Any Sunday created thousands of first time bikers in the US and worldwide, and esploded sales for Husqvarna overnight.

The last McQueen bike sold at auction, also a 400 Cross, alebit a 1971 version, set a world record when it sold in 2011 for $144,500 (£91,000).

The Bonhams auction, which takes place on 10th January at Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas, includes a number of ultra-rare bikes, including a 1902 Model B Rambler in original condition.

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McQueen’s Husky sells for £90k

First published on 16 May 2011 by Phil West

An ex-Steve McQueen 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross has sold for a whopping $144,500 (almost £90,000) at auction in California at the weekend.

The bike is reckoned to be the best known of all McQueen’s Huskys with a well-documented provenance – the original bill of sale included with the lot clearly shows it was bought by Steve’s private company, Solar Productions, in 1971.

It was the star item at Bonhams sale of Exceptional Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia held in Carmel on Saturday.

For more details go to: www.bonhams.com