We Are Porsche | McQueen
Published on June 23, 2024
An Icon’s Legacy
The undisputed “King of Cool” and an icon of 1960s Hollywood, Steve McQueen pursued motorsport with a passion that matched his love of acting. In this video, learn more about how Steve McQueen's son Chad McQueen and grandson Chase McQueen talk about their family's legacy and how they keep it alive.
"I'm not sure whether I'm an actor who races or a racer who acts," he would note. He financed his racing with the money he earned from acting, and, like many automotive enthusiasts at the time, he was drawn to the performance potential and technical sophistication of Porsches. A black Porsche 356, purchased using his salary from the television western Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958-61), was the vehicle McQueen raced in his first competition in Santa Barbara, California, in 1959. By the 1970s, he was driving at the highest level and would even fund his own racing team through his company Solar Productions.
Porsche would bring McQueen one of the most successful results of his racing career. Competing as an independent team under Solar Productions, McQueen and co-driver Peter Revson drove to a second-place finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1970. This ultimately helped Porsche maintain its lead in the Manufacturers' World Championship, a title the company would go on to win for a second consecutive year. Le Mans, McQueen's 1971 racing epic, was the ultimate expression of the actor's love of motorsport.
Learn More about One of Steve McQueen’s Porsches
1976 Porsche 911 Turbo
Check Out our We Are Porsche Exhibit
Join us for our We Are Porsche Exhibit showcasing a variety of iconic Porsche models from the early 356 to modern 911s, highlighting their influence on car culture, racing, and customization. Come in-person to discover vehicles like the 1954 Porsche 550 Spyder and the 1955 Porsche Continental and learn more about this unique blend of performance, style, and individuality that defines Porsche.
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