VIN: Steve McQueen's Porsche 356 A Speedster chassis 84855

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History of chassis 84855

Chassis 84855 was a 356 A Speedster purchased new by legendary actor and noted motor racing enthusiast, Steve McQueen.

Having spent three years in the US Marines, which he joined shortly before his 18th birthday, McQueen took up acting lessons in New York. During this time, he earned money by competing in local motorcycle races.

In late 1955, at the age of 25, McQueen left New York for Hollywood. He was soon noticed by agent. Hilly Elkins. who managed McQueen’s girlfriend (and first wife), Neile Adams.

McQueen began to pick up roles in B movies and subsequently got his first big break in the western series Tales of Wells Fargo during 1958.

Towards the end of 1958, McQueen purchased the black on black Speedster from Porsche main dealer, Century Motor Sales in Alhambra, California. It was his first brand new car.

Around the same time, McQueen also acquired a second-hand Jaguar XKSS that he had coveted for several years (chassis 713).

In addition to optional Rudge wheels, McQueen had 84855 equipped with a cigarette light clamped to the steering column.

The 356 was not the first high performance sports car McQueen owned; it followed a used Siata 208-S that the actor had purchased through McAfee Motors during 1956.

A few months after 84855’s arrival, McQueen decided to take it to the tracks. The Speedster had been created with weekend racers in mind and was the perfect entry for Production class events.

Although McQueen was an experienced motorcycle racer, the outing at Santa Barbara in late May of 1959 was his first auto race. The contest, which took place around the 3.5km Santa Barbara airfield track in Goleta, was organised by the California Sports Car Club.

McQueen and his 356 debuted in the Novice race where he was up against a 48 car field of other Porsches, Austin-Healeys and Alfa Romeos.

Following a convincing win in the eight lap race, McQueen was entered for the Preliminary which served as a qualifier for the 15 lap main event held the next day. Unfortunately, technical problems towards the end of the Preliminary dropped him down to eleventh and 84855 was withdrawn from any further action that weekend.

Three weeks later, McQueen ran his 356 in a 15 lap event which took place at Hourglass Field which was a 2.9km circuit around a US Navy auxiliary landing field just outside San Diego. On this occasion, McQueen finished third overall behind Jay Hill’s similar Porsche and the Morgan of Willie West.

Now hooked on competition, McQueen soon purchased a Lotus Eleven which he raced for the duration of 1959.

McQueen kept 84855 until the late 1960s when he sold the car to local collector and real estate magnate, Bruce Meyer.

Around seven years later, Meyer agreed to sell the 356 back to McQueen.

The little black Porsche stayed with the McQueen family after Steve’s death in 1980 and is today owned by his son, Chad.

Notable History

Sold to Steve McQueen, Hollywood

Registered PNC 232

30/05/1959 CAL Santa Barbara Novice (S. McQueen) 1st oa, 1st EP class (#160)
30/05/1959 CAL Santa Barbara Preliminary (S. McQueen) 11th oa, 11th EP class (#160)
31/05/1959 CAL Santa Barbara (S. McQueen) DNS (#160)

21/06/1959 CAL Hourglass Field (S. McQueen) 3rd oa, 2nd DP class (#71)

Late 1960s sold to Bruce Meyer, Beverly Hills

Mid 1970s sold back to McQueen

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed