**Hollywood Icon Steve McQueen’s Favorite Car Now Up for Auction**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 11:29 AM*
Hollywood legend Steve McQueen’s beloved 1952 Hudson Wasp Brougham coupe is set to go under the hammer this October. The late actor, who passed away in 1980, drove this classic car regularly, making it a treasured piece of automotive and Hollywood history.
### A Nostalgic Connection
While Steve McQueen is famously associated with vehicles like the dark green V-8 Mustang, the Gulf orange and blue Porsche 917, and the Jaguar XKSS, he also had a fondness for 1950s American cars. Among these was the Hudson Wasp, a stylish coupe that stood out for its performance and design.
The 1952 Hudson Wasp is a smaller sibling to the NASCAR-winning Hudson Hornet, equipped with a robust straight-six engine and the impressive “Twin H-Power” setup. This package features dual intake manifolds and carburetors, delivering serious power for its time.
### McQueen’s Diverse Automotive Collection
Steve McQueen was an avid car enthusiast, owning an eclectic range that included Ferraris, Porsche 911s, and several Hudson models such as a 1953 Hornet and a 1950 Custom Commodore Six convertible. The 1952 Hudson Wasp held a special place as his everyday ride, often dubbed his “Sunday-go-to-church” car.
Despite some minor dents and signs of age like paint crazing, the car remains well-preserved, with an odometer reading just over 102,000 km.
### Auction Details and Legacy
Following McQueen’s death, the Hudson Wasp was sold at his estate sale in 1984. It later became part of The Petersen Automotive Museum’s collection in Los Angeles, where it resided for 19 years.
Now, RM Sotheby’s will handle its upcoming auction, with the car expected to command a mid-five-figure price. While significant, this is a relatively modest estimate compared to McQueen’s original Mustang from the movie *Bullitt*, which famously sold for a record-breaking $3.74 million five years ago.
For collectors and fans alike, this auction represents a rare chance to own a piece of Steve McQueen’s automotive legacy.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/auto/steve-mcqueen-s-favorite-car-to-be-auctioned/story
