IDENTIFYING STEVE MCQUEEN’S FERRARI

STARTING POINT
The starting point of the research was an undisputed historical fact: Steve McQueen owned a Ferrari 275 GTS. The aim of the investigation was therefore to establish with certainty which specific chassis corresponded to the car used by the actor and to document its history through verifiable sources. At the same time, the restoration of the car required a precise understanding of its original configuration and technical characteristics. For this reason, the ownership initiated a detailed historical and technical investigation of the individual chassis, with the objective of reconstructing both the provenance of the car and the consistency of its components.

RESEARCH
The research began with the systematic examination of photographic archives in order to obtain period images of the car and secure the rights for their use. Numerous archives were contacted, often requiring extensive correspondence in order to identify and acquire a limited number of relevant photographs. In parallel, foundations and institutions connected with the life of Steve McQueen were consulted. These organisations preserve important memorabilia and documentary traces relating to the actor, many of which were originally donated by his wife. Further investigation involved the consultation and review of period American newspapers. These sources proved essential for tracing the subsequent ownership of the car after McQueen.All the material collected during the investigation was catalogued, classified and organised in chronological order, allowing the information derived from photographic archives, press sources and documentary records to be brought together into a coherent historical reconstruction. Alongside the historical research, the car’s technical specifications were also examined in order to support the restoration carried out under the supervision of specialised professionals. Each component was carefully assessed to determine its originality and the appropriate conservation, restoration or replacement. Particular attention was given to preserving historical consistency, as in the case of the double layer of paint—initially black and later covered by red. The restoration process was documented in detail by the restorers, within the limits of professional confidentiality.