Image of Steve McQueen in Le Mans (Solar Productions 1971)
You may not be able to walk in Steve McQueen’s shoes, but now you can wear his suit. Just not to the office.
The racing suit worn by McQueen in the movie “Le Mans” is being offered at the Profiles in History “Icons of Hollywood” auction being held in Beverly Hills in December.
Decked out in period sponsorship patches from Gulf, Heuer and Firestone, the two-piece white suit also bears the name of McQueen’s on screen character, Michael Delaney. An image of McQueen suiting up before the race has become almost as iconic as the actor himself, and used to advertise Tag Heuer watches designed in tribute to the film.
The film was a labor of love for the life-long auto enthusiast. A commercial disappointment at the time of its release, "Le Mans" has come to be known as one of the most revered films in history thanks to its groundbreaking cinematography and meticulously accurate depiction of the rigors and dangers of endurance racing.
In August, a Porsche 911 once owned by McQueen and driven by him in the prologue to the film sold at auction for $1.375 million. It was the highest price ever paid for a 911.
Read: Porsche Once Owned by Steve McQueen Sells for $1,375 Million
After filming of the movie was completed, the producers gave away the suit through a contest held by the British newspaper The Observer, which was won by a 12-year-old boy. It has changed hands several times since and is currently being offered by an anonymous owner.
Profiles in History estimates the value of the suit between $200,000 and $300,000. In 2006 a pair of sunglasses said to have been worn by McQueen in the film "The Thomas Crown Affair" sold for $70,000.