McQueens 1970S in Excellence

[Bummler]

I knew Steve casually through my flying years. I met him at Santa Paula Airport where I took my Bellanca Viking to Screaming Eagle Avaition for annual inspections.

Had a friend with a Super Viking, nice airplanes, great performance.

I still ride my motorcycle to Santa Paula with friends at least once a month for breakfast at Logsdon's coffee shop. Still a very neat little casual airport. They have an open house first Sunday of the month and everyone rolls out ther "stuff " to put on display. Reg Pridmore (first superbike champion riding on a BMW) has two hangars there and has all manner of cool stuff.

Anyone within the SoCal area I suggest a visit you won't regret it.

[tfiv]

[QUOTE=Bummler]One of my favorite photos from where I picked it up I do not know...[/QUOT

I can't imagine what his XKSS would be worth!

[Fritter]

Very cool car.

But... I guess I'm crazy because I don't understand the extreme McQueen worship. It's all so desperate. At least if LE MANS had been a good movie. Or a popular movie. Or a movie that anyone went to see when it was released. I mean, millions more people have seen the 928 from RISKY BUSINESS than that slate grey 911. (Sure. Not as cool a car. But a perfect movie.) But clearly I am alone in these thoughts as everyone worships all things McQueen. Still would like to know who spent the $60,000 on his old sunglasses. Wow.

It's just that people like to live vicariously through Steve on a superficial level, the coolness, the cars, the women, etc....everyone has a little Steve McQueen in them.

From what I've read, it seems deep down he had some pretty bad problems though....but people tend to remember the good stuff.

[Bummler]

Steve's XKSS resides at the Petersen Museum now.

I had the pleasure of sitting in it when I was a docent there. The curator Leslie Kendall and Mr P, when was alive, were the only ones allowed to drive it.

[Varooom]

The best 4 pics of McQueen and his XKSS.











Steve Var.
______________
67S
66 912

[tfiv]

I'll bet the speedster gathered dust after he got that thing (when it was running).

[a911s]

Who was it that said "There is strong shadow where there is much light"...

I think it was Baron van Hanstein.

Everyone I know who is interesting has major problems.


Great article - Congrats to Matt Stone and Hal Thoms!

[Bummler]

The only thing that might have been even better would have been a side by side comparison of his 69S and the 70S

[a911s]

Turns out the original quote is Goethe.

I should note that "problems" is relative. Mainstream America would probably think most of us have a major problem!


I suppose this is a fitting shot for the thread (taken at RRIII).

[W Scott Shores]

...At least if LE MANS had been a good movie. Or a popular movie....

It's true that Le Mans is not a "good" movie. But it's like a bad movie that features Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba naked in most scenes. That bad movie would still be a great movie.