I received this press release announcing that auction house, Profiles in History will be auctioning Steve McQueen’s screen used racing suit from the film, “Le-Mans” during their “Icons og Hollywood” auction being held December 15th, 16th, & 17th, at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly HIlls, CA.
The pre-sale estimate is $200-$300,00.
PROFILES IN HISTORY BURNS RUBBERWITH STEVE MCQUEEN’S RACING SUIT FROM LE MANS ON THE AUCTION BLOCK
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED ITEMS AT
PROFILES IN HISTORY’S “ICONS OF HOLLYWOOD”
AUCTION AT THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA
IN BEVERLY HILLS, DECEMBER 15, 16 & 17
LOS ANGELES, November 3, 2011- Profiles in History, run by Joe Maddalena is proud to announce a major addition to their already stellar “Icons of Hollywood” auction, Steve McQueen’s “Michael Delaney” screen used Gulf driving suit from, Le Mans, the most influential movie about racing ever made. The two-piece racing suit (jacket and pants) features a zipper and Velcro closure jacket with “Michael Delaney” stitched in blue thread above the right breast zipper pocket, iconic orange and blue Gulf racing stripes as well as Gulf patches on the breast and back. In addition there are United States flag, Hinchman Nomex, Heuer Chronograph and Firestone sponsor patches.
The “Icons of Hollywood” auction is set for December 15, 16 and 17 at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills.When principle filming of Le Mans was completed, Solar Productions donated this suit to the British newspaper, The Observer for a special Le Mans-themed contest in 1971. By answering 3 Le Mans history questions correctly 12 year old Timothy Davies of 
Wolverhampton, England was chosen as the winner and presented with the suit by racing driver Richard “Dickie” Attwood, winner of the 1970 Le Mans race and driver of the Porsche 917K Gulf car during driving sequences in the film. Filmed on location in Le Mans, France, the film’s spellbinding cinematography provides a thrilling glimpse of the sights and sounds of Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s, locked in fierce competition for outright victory. It featured footage from the actual 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans race and remains popular with racing enthusiasts today as it accurately depicted the era with lots of racing and minimal dialogue. The film featured numerous top-level racing drivers of the day for the driving sequences including Derek Bell, Vic Elford, Jacky Ickx, Brian Redman, Jo Siffert and many others. The suit is in excellent condition and without question, one of the pinnacles of motorsport memorabilia and the Holy Grail of racing film costumes. The suit has a presale estimate of $200,000-$300,000. Image of Steve McQueen in Le Mans (©) Solar Productions 1971
These items join the only pair of screen used Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz left on the market. These iconic shoes are from the climax of the film and are estimated at $2,000,000-3,000,000. Also up for auction is Bela Lugossi’s iconic cape from Dracula ($1,500,000 – $2,000,000,) the DeLorean from Back to the Future III ($400,000 – $600,000,) Marilyn Monroe’s wedding ring from her marriage to Joe DiMaggio ($300,000 to $500,000) and a Marilyn Monroe nude painting by Earl Moran ($70,000 to $90,000.) Stay tuned for the announcement of more iconic items up for auction.
*Photos ©Profiles in History, Solar Productions, & Movie Prop Collectors
