Steve McQueen's bike set to go on sale in Stafford
He is the iconic actor who jumped his motorcycle over a barbed wire fence to evade German Nazis in The Great Escape - and now one of Steve McQueen's prized former bikes is to go on sale in Stafford.
While it is not the Triumph T6 that the American actor rode in the famous scene that is up auction, the 1934 Indian Sport Scout bike is said to be one of the late film star's favourites.
The 750cc model has been valued between £55,000 and £65,000 and will be among a prestigious collection of former Top Gear presenter James May's bikes on offer later this month.
James Stensel, from Bonhams hosting the upcoming auction at the county showground, said: "McQueen's cars and motorcycles were the envy of many a collector, yet Indian was believed to be his favoured marque, and the 1934 Indian 750cc Sport Scout - now offered at estimate of £55,000-£65,000 - was one of Indian's most successful models of the 1930s.
"Few machines boast such impressive ownership history, I can think of few other machines I personally would wish to own more."
As well as being regarded as one of the most iconic actors of his time, McQueen's love for motorcycles was equally famous.
He once said: "I'm not sure whether I'm an actor who races or a racer who acts."
Four of James May's personal collection will also be on sale including a 1967 Honda CB450 Black Bomber estimated at £4,800 to £5,600, a 1973 Honda XL70 Trail valued between £2,000 and £2,500, a 1970 Honda PS50 Sports Moped worth from £1,800 to £2,400 and a 1967 Honda P50 Moped expected to fetch around £500.
The sale will be part of The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show held over the weekend of October 17 and 18.
