Dilapidated Trans Am Used in McQueen’s Final Film Sells for Nearly $100K
Bill Shea is at it again. The Massachusetts collector, who specializes in automotive, movie, and World War II items, is the winning bidder for a very rough 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that was used as a stunt vehicle in Steve McQueen’s final film, The Hunter.
The dilapidated Poncho set Shea back $99,750 including fees, which is about six times the average value of a similar model in #4 (Fair) condition, proving once again the power of McQueen’s stardom—and Shea’s love for Hollywood icons. In 2011, he paid more than $500,000 for a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 that appeared in all three segments of the Back to the Future trilogy.
“I’d buy more,” Shea said in a six-year-old YouTube video about the DeLorean, “but I like being married.”
Shea, who owns several McQueen motorcycles, wrote “HELL YEAH BABY!” in the comments section when the McQueen Firebird auction closed and he was declared the winner. Congratulatory messages from other users followed, as did notes of surprise from some about the amount that Shea was willing to pay for a car in that state, McQueen-adjacent or otherwise. This is just the latest sale among many that shows how strong the McQueen factor can be—as we’ve noted in the Hagerty Power List. This Trans Am was, after all, the last special car associated with the noted-car-guy actor; The Hunter was released in August 1980, and McQueen died three months later.
According to Bring a Trailer, VIN #29N100008 remained in the Pontiac Motor Division show car fleet following its assembly in November 1978, but it was sold a year later to Paramount Pictures and used as a stunt vehicle in the McQueen film. It was one of two cars used for an explosion scene, explaining its condition (including missing body panels and burns to the passenger side of the dashboard), and it was gifted to a farmer in Illinois as compensation for aiding the crew in the production of the movie. The Firebird was stored in the farmer’s barn for nearly 40 years before it was obtained by the seller in 2018.
Among the car’s features are a non-running 403-cubic-inch V-8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and Safe-T-Track limited-slip differential, along with the WS6 Special Performance Package, which added power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, a quick-ratio steering box, and a larger sway bar.
The Firebird’s camel-colored vinyl dash features a 100-mph speedometer, a 6000-rpm tachometer, auxiliary gauges, inset analog clock, and a five-digit odometer that shows 1300 miles. The Firebird also has bucket seats and snowflake-style, 15-inch wheels with gold accents and 225/70 Goodyear Polysteel Radial white-letter tires. (The seller notes that the front right tire does not hold air, though we expect that’s not a major concern.)
Originally painted Nocturne Blue, the car was repainted black for The Hunter; the factory paint is visible on the rear fascia. The frame rails were modified with slides, hooks, and chains at the firewall to prepare for the explosion scene. After filming was complete, the car was stripped of its rear spoiler, side mirrors, wheel center caps, and badges. Other defects include a damaged three-spoke steering wheel (which is missing its adjustment lever), rust holes in the floor, and rodent damage to the rear bench seat. The car is also missing side panels, carpeting, overhead lighting, seat belts, and AM/FM radio. Of course, these are all likely of little concern, as restoration is probably not on the docket for this car.
Sale of the Firebird includes the build sheet, a copy of the original window sticker, documentation from Paramount Pictures and Pontiac Historical Services, a 30-foot-long dual-axle trailer, and large vinyl banners and cardboard cutouts of McQueen, which the previous owner displayed at car shows.
The Firebird does not have a title, but it likely won’t need one, since its “as-is” movie condition is likely of considerable value to Shea, who is clearly thrilled with his new acquisition. “We love our movie crash cars!” he wrote, to which one BaT commenter joked, “Good luck with your wife.”
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At the very same moment that Bill Shea was writing, “HELL YEAH BABY!”, visitors to the Mountain Grove Cemetary in Bridgeport, Connecticut were startled to hear, “TOLD YA – ONE EVERY MINUTE!” emanating from P.T. Barnum’s gravesite.
Exactly right!
I could not agree more. There’s probably a car almost exactly like this at Pick-a-Part that you could buy for about $500. “More money than brains” was my first thought.
For Sale – 1979 Firebird Trans Am – may need some bodywork. “very rough” (an understatement if ever there was!)
Huh. A documented car from Steve McQueen’s last film at a Pick-a-Part?
OK – whatevs.
Ya, that hunk-o-junk was the last cool car used by, probably the coolest guy who ever lived
Why was McQueen so cool? As far as I can tell, it rests on 3 things:
1) The car chase in “Bullett” (an otherwise dreary slog of a movie)
2) Racing at Lemans and making a movie on the same topic, which was mediocre at best. (On the other hand, Paul Newman’s racing career…)
3) Hacking around SoCal in cars and cycles with guys like Bud Elkins. (OK, that part is cool.)
So, I can’t see how this adds up to a roughly 19,900% premium over this junker’s actual value.
I’ll bet the purchaser was British. The cult of McQueen Cool is even more inexplicable over there.
Whatever makes you happy.
But that trailer would be nice to have when you find it.
You got that right. I’d take the trailer. More useful and worth more.
Do you mean like the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people that spend a hundred grand on an old C-10 or an old car that even when finished is only with 30 grand? That is just what car people do.
Sounds like a lot of people would like to have more money.
SOMEONE WITH TOO MUCH MONEY
I wondered what happened to this car, I recall when it was found and expect it would show up restored at some point.
I think it would be counter-productive to restore a car that is only ‘valuable’ because it was blown up in a movie. However, this guy appears to have more money than brains, so you’re probably right……..
What a bunch of crap. Just because it was a Steve McQueen movie car. I wouldn’t have paid $5k for it. But some other person will probably pay even more at some point.
Crush the POS.
Never understood this. This is a 2 thousand dollar car.but a certain humans turd cutter sat in it he thinks it’s worth 100 grand!?
More money to spend than brains…. It is still a ’79 TA. I dig McQueen and all, but the car is, well I wouldn’t even call it a car anymore, just a pile of weathered parts.
Another BaT overspending exercise or egged on by their bots and insider bidders to bid or spend more.
Some people have more freaking money then common sense and I don’t really give a rats backside if Steve McQueen did owned it or used it in a movie. Ok let the hate mail start .
What do you even do with a car like this? If you restore it, do you devalue it because it isn’t the car it “originally” was? Or do you leave it as a crappy pile of rusted, broken parts and imagine some day someone offering you an even more insane amount of money for it?
Remember, at an auction, it takes two people to bid up the price. One idiot won this auction, but now there’s only one more idiot that would have paid near this much. 😆
Absolute insanity.
Looks a bit rough for 1300 miles on the clock. Probably turned over at least once…
Really? Did you not read the article? The car is a ‘79, and was destroyed in a movie that was released in 1980.
If anything, the dash cluster with 1300 miles is worth a few bucks.
I think he meant the whole car turned over at least once…
Yeah!’ That !!😆
Dave, Dave, Dave, does dry humour always go over your head?
What a great find and a very good value this purchase is, as it is a very iconic car from McQueens final movie!!
Steve McQueen is The King Of Cool. Because of his screen presence and the number very cool car movies that he made, including Bullitt, the movie with best car chase in movie history will keep Steve McQueen and the cars that he drove in real life and in the movies that he made at the top of the pricing game any time one of these cars comes up for auction!!!
Fortunately, or unfortunately, only people with a functioning brain will be able to understand the real value of this very special car!
Yeah I don’t really understand all the arrows being shot at this either. If you are into star-owned or star-used cars, then a McQueen Bird has to be one of the top on your list, even if it is all beat up. After all, there are movie stars, and there are famous drivers, but how many were both? I can think of only one. And none any cooler, for sure.
I agree with you on this. Had I been chosen by the universe to have gobs of money with my already loving all things Steve McQueen, I would have bought it!
I absolutely agree with you Jennifer. Preserving the history of an iconic actor as Mr McQueen and of course the last car he drove a Trans Am with its own notoriety and will be of interest in any collection.
I was looking for one good part, maybe the wheels.
I can think of MANY more things I’d spend $100,000 on…if I had $100,000.
Roger Ebert summed up the movie, “The Hunter”……and this car purchase…..quite well: “it’s a complete flop”. No one but rabid McQueen fans ever even heard of this awful movie, and fewer yet would walk across the street to see a car (mis)used during its production. The only people happier about the purchase than the new owner, are the family of the “old farmer”, who made out like “bandits” (an allusion to the movie that put Trans Am’s on the map).
I liked the movie.
People collect weird stuff…tea cozies, finger nails, used undergarments. I guess if you have the means and the desire, then have at it. Personally, I would love a nocturne blue WS6 TA in driver condition. I might have to sell my fingernail collection for that though.
Mr. Shea,
I respect your purchase. We only live once. I assume this is a collection/ hobby for you and you should enjoy.
When I was a kid, my elderly neighbor collected dolls. Frankly, they were creepy to me. She is now dead. Her doll collection never impacted her family life or food on the table. Good for her.
I don’t understand low riders. But I respect others who do. Good for them.
You bought something you wanted. As long as you own it, may you enjoy good health and it make you happy. GREAT FOR YOU.
Don’t let others dampen your enthusiasm. I respect you doing your own thing.