THE BIKE SPECIALISTS,
TRADING STANDARD AWARD WINNERS 2021.
Bike ID: #9051
Here we offer the very rare opportunity to own this stunning Metisse Desert Racer, one of just 300 Steve McQueen Foundation endorsed machines to have been produced. Our example is supplied with the all important framed Certificate of Authenticity from Metisse confirming that this bike is chassis number 863 and was originally supplied in 1966 but then reassigned to this bike. The bike is an off road example but is fitted with a rear brake light and is showing 19 miles on the electronic speedometer. For the record Steve McQueen's actual bike was chassis 835.
Metisse started in 1959, and still build off-road machines today. It was half a century ago that Don & Derek Rickman developed a strong, light, elegant chassis for 500cc scrambling which, when fitted with either a Triumph twin or AMC single, out-handled all their contemporary rivals. Metisse manufactured thousands of frame kits; the same product upon which the brothers were winning at international level. It is perhaps no surprise that they attracted dozens of well-known customers, amongst them Steve McQueen, who purchased several examples into which were slotted 650cc Triumph engines that – to his personal requirement – he and Bud Ekins then modified slightly for Desert Racing.
In 2008, Metisse concluded negotiations with the USA-based McQueen Estate for a fully approved production run of 300 Steve McQueen Desert Replicas all identical to Steve's original model, each one finished in his distinctive favourite colour of battleship grey.
This really is a fantastic opportunity to own a bike that does not come up for sale very often, please contact us if you wish to place a reservation deposit or need to know any further information.
