Steve McQueen’s Daily Driver is up for sale after spending 19 years in a museum.
RM Sotheby's
The latest car news and reviews, without the fluff
Our daily newsletter provides the most important stories directly to you, every weekday.
Actor and iconic figure Steve McQueen is closely linked to the 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback from Bullitt and the Porsches featured in Le Mans. However, when he was running errands, heading to church, or going to the airport, he frequently drove this 1952 Hudson Wasp. Since 2006, the car has been housed at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles and is now up for auction at RM Sotheby’s. Aside from its celebrity association, it’s a wonderfully designed car with impressive details showcased in the auction house’s extensive photo gallery.
The full designation is the 1952 Hudson Wasp Twin H-Power Two-Door Brougham. It will be sold at Sotheby’s Hershey auction in Hershey, Pennsylvania (yes, the home of chocolate) on October 9. Bidders can also participate online or via phone. It's Lot 246 for anyone interested, with an estimated selling price between $40,000 and $60,000. Hudson Wasps in decent condition typically sell for around $20,000 to $40,000, but this one is certainly a remarkable collectible.
A candid shot of McQueen washing vehicles at his private hangar at Santa Paula airport, with the Hudson visible behind him. Barbara Minty McQueen/RM Sotheby’s
I must confess that I haven't thought about Hudson cars since rewatching Cars 1 a few years ago on a flight. In the film, “Doc Hudson” is a Hudson Hornet, which is slightly longer, but the overall design is quite similar to the Wasp. And that design is genuinely appealing. It exemplifies the classic '50s diner streamliner look, emphasized by the unique covered back wheels. At the same time, the large bumpers lend it a practical feel, grounding the overall design. The interior exudes class—again, very much a diner vibe, with a bench seat that looks inviting for relaxation.
Under the hood is an inline-six engine equipped with a Power Dome cylinder head and Twin-H Power carburetor setup. It features a Hydra-Matic Drive transmission with a column shifter.
As you browse the images, you'll see that the car is clean but not perfect. It has 63,537 miles on the odometer (quite high for a car from the ‘50s!) and shows various dings and rust spots. The paint on the roof is damaged. Take a look at the slideshow here:
I would leave it exactly as it is; it looks well-used, which I find perfect. Although I’m not a superfan of McQueen, I would certainly enjoy driving around in his old “Sunday-go-to-church-car.”
Have a tip? Reach out to us at [email protected].
Other articles
Technology for Solar-Powered Highways May Be Monitoring Americans | Carscoops
The government has recently issued a warning about the discovery of concealed cellular radios in equipment manufactured abroad.
The New BMW 3-Series Is Set to Address the Grille Critics | Carscoops
The ICE and i3 will feature similar designs, even though they are built on different platforms.
Ram Has Just Eliminated Their F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV Competitors | Carscoops
Stellantis has scrapped the launch of its 1500 REV EV, rebranding the range-extended Ramcharger as the new REV with updated specifications.
Steve McQueen’s Daily Driver is up for sale after spending 19 years in a museum.
This 1952 Hudson Wasp served as McQueen's “Sunday-go-to-church car.”