The Tao Of Steve. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UefQYjG7rM The guy lived his life on his terms in a lot of ways. Big fan....
1) There is another, possibly overlooked, movie he was in entitled "The Getaway" which features a 68/9 impala with, i presume, a big-block. i think this movie really extudes the virtues of this car---it's very soothing to watch. 2) i think he would generally be disgusted with today's automotive offerings. Possible exceptions: impala ss, taurus sho, G8. 3) As an interesting, non-automotive note, my mom has a b-level actress friend. She was in an upscale bar somewhere in hollywierd in the 60s70's timeframe and Steve Mcqueen was also there and he was hitting on her and she turned him down. The point i'm trying to make is that everyone gets turned down---even Steve Mcqueen, so don't feel too bad. Her loss. Of course, she was heavily into drugs and alcho at the time, so this may have affected her judgment. 4) It's completely cool that he invented the transbrake, but i didn't know he was into drag racing; Why would he need a transbrake?
"Wow, did not know he invented the transbrake!! Very Cool!! " 8ull...thats the only kinda "brake" most Model T's had and he didn't invent them!
Steve McQueen did not do the jump over the fence in "The Great Escape". He not do the vast majority of the stunt driving in "Bullitt". As stated earlier, Bud Eakins did both.
Your need to do a Wikipedia and more search on Steves' great friend and world famous stuntman, the one and only Bud Ekins and that will answer alot of your questions! There are some great stories of the two of them out there! Enjoy the research!
My uncle owned that car for awhile, Got it from the estate, I guess they sold off a few every once in awhile. It was a cool old chev. My uncle sold it because he was afraid that if he kept it he would be tempted to change it. I did get to ride in it, and that was cool knowing the history and seeing it in the movie.
he was a hoodlum growing up, a rebel, a marine, and he loved to drive anything fast he could. Sounds like he would have fit in here great. Wish I could have met him. A mustang isn't traditional, but the scene in Bullit has to be one of the greatest scenes of all time. here's the Wiki, great reading. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen
In Bullitt, Steve was good, the Mustwang was ok, but the real star of that movie was that Black Charger - when the dude with the glasses clicks on his seat belt and lights the tires on the hill, what a moment!
I would think that his invention would qualify him as being someone to mention on a hotrod forum.. US Patent D219584 "the bucket seat" wikipedia also claims he patented the transbrake.. Of course, keep in mind, the wikipedia page could ahve been typed by a 8 year old who doesn't know anthing. the "internet" claims that he invented the transbrake and the bucket seat... Some of the old timers here on the board could tell us if that is true or not.
In his autobiography "Ernie", Ernest Borgnine talks about having met Steve McQueen during the filming of the movie "Convoy". At the time, McQueen was with Ali McGraw who was also in the movie. Borgnine and his stand in double were the only two people at the location at the end of a scene, and they were waiting for someone to come get them when McQueen showed up, looking for his wife. (who was also in The Getaway, an outstanding movie, with a trim Slim Pickens, among others) Anyways, McQueen asked Borgnine and his double if they wanted a ride back to the hotel, and they accepted. Borgnine notes that McQueen was smoking pot, and when he got into the car, started pounding down the beers. The drive back was done at 100+ mph, but Borgnine "knew that he raced cars proffesssionally, but I was still scared shitless"... Back at the hotel bar, he hit his second wind and started drinking even more, where Borgnine bid him a good evening... I cant actually think of a bad McQueen movie. I have some that I like less than others, but over all, he was good at his craft. One movie in particular that I enjoy (Bullet aside) is The War Lover, with a very young Robert Wagner.
Really a regular guy in a spectacular life. My junior high science teacher "hung out" with him in SoCal and rode dirt bikes with him on occasion. Taken too soon.
The Sand Pebbles is a very good movie. For me, the downside is the length of it, but also too, it tells the story, which makes it good.
The Mustang was in the LA Times classifieds no too long after the movie was made.I called, went to see it in a warehouse by the studio's.Didn't buy it 'cause the whole right side had been destroyed during the movie ( during takes when he was racing down that twisty street with the walls on both sides ) They had fixed it but I didn't want a car that had been hit that bad--------------what a dumb ass.I think it was $2500 if I remember right.Probably worth a bit more than that now------ya think?
Here's a link to a 1971 Sports Illustrated cover story on Steve: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1085212/1/index.htm and an even earlier story from 1966: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1078862/1/index.htm And a photo of Steve McQueen behind Canadian (via Australia) Bob McLean at Laguna Seca in 1963.
He didn't necessarily invent the bucket seat but a type of racing seat. Id guess the contemporary Poly style seat and The Sand Pebbles is some of his best work in my opinion.
He always said he thought his cancer was due to removing asbestos in the service , I wonder if he lived so crazy because he always knew he wouldn't be around long. A lot of people who have died relativity young said they always knew, Maby it's something God put in them to tell them , you won't be around too long ,enjoy life while you can. like the song says, live like you are dying,
Don't know how many people are aware of a museum in Miami Oklahoma that has a collection of Steve McQueen items. Several pictures, awards and the Husky motorcycle that he rode in "On Any Sunday". The museum also has a apparel store that stocks a wide range of vintage motorcycle t-shirts. Cool place and it's free.
I liked every movie Mc Queen was in and of course bullitt on the top of the list. He was good in Sand pebbles also and he just lived hard and died the same way. I hated to see such talent go so quick but he did have a good life while it lasted.
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