Steve McQueen is known to some in the automotive world as Mr. Cool. He was a good actor, with good looks, and had a passion for cars. In fact, he even did some movies that were car-centric. His popularity in the automotive world is such that years after he passed away, anything related to him that shows up at auction still tends to do well. That brings us to the news that a custom camper that belonged to him is coming up for auction.

Who is Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen is a former Marine turned actor. While his acting career was taking off, it was not uncommon for him to spend a weekend racing a motorcycle or car. Eventually, in 1968, the role of Detective Frank Bullitt came to him. This movie contains what would go down in history as arguable one of the best automotive movie chase scenes. It has a Dark Highland Green Ford Mustang fastback chasing a Dodge Charger through the streets of San Francisco. Later, in 1971, Mr. McQueen also made the movie, Le Mans. That movie would also become well respected by automotive and racing enthusiasts. 

To say that Steve McQueen is a respected actor and racer is an understatement. His fans follow any news regarding him or his estate with almost religious fervor in some cases. So, when something of his comes to auction, it garners a lot of attention. The new lot at Bring A Trailer is also expected to get many eyeballs on it.

McQueen’s camper at auction

Auction lot number 35990 is a Forest Green 1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup truck. According to the listing, the truck is powered by a 235 cubic inch straight-six. The rear was converted into a “Dust Tite” camper by a firm in California. They created a space with “a double-size bed, drawers, shelves, a roof platform, and a diamond-plated rear bumper.” 

Mr. McQueen did not own the camper new. It came into his possession in the late 1970s from a farmer. His estate sold it in 1984. Somewhere along the lines, in 2016, the camper came into the current dealer’s hands in Ontario, Canada. It still has the McQueen Certificate of Authenticity and California registration information showing the link to Mr. McQueen. It will be provided with the auction sale.

The truck itself is described as, 

“The longbed, stepside body is finished in Forest Green and features a five-window cab, a body-color windshield sun visor, extended side mirrors, and a white front bumper. Other equipment includes three five-gallon gas cans mounted to the running boards, a driver-side spotlight, and two lockable tool boxes. Black steel wheels feature chrome hubcaps and are mounted with Tornel bias-ply classic truck tires sized 7.50-17.”

Seven days left for the auction of the camper

The auction listing still has 7 days left. It also includes a 1972 Husqvarna CR250 motorcycle, made up to look like something Mr. McQueen rode on in another one of his movies, On Any Sunday. The current bid. for the lot is sitting at $14,000. But, it will likely increase rapidly on the last day. It should be interesting to watch the bids fly that day.