A 1970 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series II cabriolet that belonged to Steve McQueen’s chef will go on sale May 13 in Monaco. Offered by the actor as a thank you for his work during the filming of the film Le Mans, the beautiful Englishwoman is estimated between 250,000 and 300,000 €.
On the occasion of the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, from May 13 to 15, Bonhams is having a sale at auction. A masterpiece of English motoring will be offered among the lots: it is a Jaguar Type E Cabriolet. But not just any, of course! The argus tells you the unique story of this model.
A Type E configured by Steve McQueen…
The actor wanted to thank his chef for the good meals prepared during the filming of the film.
The copy, in question here, belonged to Steve McQueen’s production company called “Solar Production”. It was the actor who configured the vehicle and requested that it be delivered on the set of the film Le Mans which was to begin in the summer of 1970. Philip Kantor, director of the automotive division of Bonhams, explains that this Jaguar has a specificity. This is an American version recognizable by its orange indicators. ” The actor would surely have liked to bring her back with him to the United States, once the filming of the film Le Mans was completed “, he explains. Another particularity of this Type E Cabriolet: the passage from three to two carburettors having the effect of lowering the power of the engine from 265 to 170 hp.
… and offered by the actor to his chef
The vehicle was used during filming for the actor’s travels in the same way as a Mercedes SL Pagoda or the Porsche 911S, used in the opening scene of the feature film. At the end of the filming, the Jaguar E-Type Cabriolet, however, did not reach the United States with Steve McQueen. The actor amazed by the work behind the stoves of Fredy Zurbrügg – a young 27-year-old chef who had already worked for the production in Switzerland during the filming of James Bond On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – wanted to thank him for the work done. How? ‘Or’ What ? By offering him one of his vehicles. The chef, who didn’t even have a driving license at the time, set his sights on the English convertible. Following the handover of the keys, Fredy Zurbrügg passed the driving license at Le Mans (which he obtained in his 2and attempt) and returned to Switzerland in October 1970 at the wheel of his racing car.
The Steve McQueen myth
As Philip Kantor recalls, everything related to the late actor has “ an extraordinary attraction “. In 2014, a Ferrari 275 GTB/4 of the “ King of Cool sold at RM Sotheby’s for 10.2 million dollars (about 9.1 million euros), or between five and six times more than a model without such history. This Jaguar Type E 4.2 Series II convertible is no exception to the rule. It is estimated between 250,000 and 300 000 €two to three times more than the amount usually requested for this model.
It should be noted that the beautiful English car is entirely original, unrestored, and has less than 74,000 km on the odometer, having spent 52 years in the hands of chef Fredy Zurbrügg. ” For many years I never imagined owning something so precious said Fredy, now nearly 80 years old. Offered without reserve price, and with its original English plates, this Jaguar should probably drive the counters crazy during the sale. See you in the spring to follow the auctions.
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