Steve McQueen‘s ‘star’ shines as brightly as ever these days, and the man is still relevant some 30 years after he left us. You will see his image on the pages of glossy lifestyle magazines promoting sunglasses, wristwatches, jackets and motorcars. Steve’s fan base is global and we know this from experience: when great McQueen property is offered, the telephones light up from Japan to Australia, from Britain to the United States.
While many of his contemporaries slip into obscurity, why does McQueen continue to hold our interest? Well, he starred in some of the most memorable movies of the Twentieth Century, he was an accomplished racecar driver, he was a great shot, he flew vintage aeroplanes, and he was also something of a hit with the ladies. McQueen could ride a motorcycle too; in fact he was bloody good — so good that together with pals Bud and Dave Ekins, Cliff Coleman and John Steen he represented the United States of America at the 1964 International Six Day Trials (ISDT).
the ISDT 1964 would take place in the Communist Eastern bloc during the height of the Cold War. On September 5, 1964 in a packed hall in Erfurt, East Germany complete with a large picture of Walter Ulbricht the then leader of the German Democratic Republic, McQueen — in what has been reported as one of the proudest moments of his life — carried the ‘Stars and Stripes’ for the US team at the opening ceremony.
I’ve got a box full of my old outdated racing licenses probably worth a grand total of £0.00 but Steve’s license a folded piece of card the size of a cigarette packet, Steve’s sold for US$ 42,700 …. the price and value of fame eh!
Photo of Steve McQueen’s FIM race license from 1964 (Courtesy Bonhams)
Photo of Steve McQueen’s FIM race license from 1964 (Courtesy Bonhams)
Many of the great and iconic pictures of McQueen will be seen with motorbikes, many most associating him with the daring motorbike leap across / into a high Barbed wire security fence in the Motion picture ‘The Great Escape’ a world war 2 prisoner escape adventure movie. Part of the stunt crew included his ISDT team colleague Bud Ekins.
In 1964, McQueen substantially funded a team of Americans to travel to Europe to form the first official Team USA to attend the ISDT. McQueen a well qualified racer in his off set time was more than capable as a scrambler and desert racer and easily adapted to the more technical discipline of enduro / trials.
Image of scanned article announcing the plans for a US team to attend the 1964 ISDT in Motorcycle Journal 16 July 1964.
Photo. The US team often shared their time and tea with British Riders. In this photo Steve McQueen is sitting with some green helmeted Brits, one of whom is Arthur Bates, Green Helmet under arm, who is from Rhayader in Mid Wales and part of a dynastic family who have done much to promote the sport. Arthur was the architect of modern Welsh Enduro and for many years was the Clerk of Course for the Welsh International Two Day Trial – ISDT 1964
Photo – Steve visits the Triumph factory in Meridan to pick up his team bike.. note the British registration plate mounted across the fork legs. [BNX 822B]
Photo of McQueen out testing his ISDT ride on the streets of the Midlands clad in his desert boots, denim jeans and a white t-shirt, helmet-less weaving through city traffic with number plate mounted on front mudguard.
Below are some of the many iconic images that abound on the ‘net of his appearance at the ’64 event. I will complete this by classifying and titling them over the next few weeks. The majority however were taken by the great french photographer François Gragnon, these images and many more of his photos of the famous can be viewed here.
Photo of the US Team all blazered up for the opening ceremony ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Team USA wait their place for their place in the opening ceremony ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQueen flying the flag for team USA ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Team USA in the parade ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQueen smartly dressed in team blazer as part of the Team USA ceremony uniform ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Team USA with McQueen finally join the other teams on the podium ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Team USA in the ceremonial hall ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve and the team head back to the team area no doubt to check the bikes over ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – The Parc Ferme, secured storage area for bikes restricting access for repairs to the approved maintenance periods only ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Another fantastic view of the Park Ferme now with other bikes in view #242 – H Lenart 485cc Puch #276 – C Coleman 623cc Triumph #277 – Johnny Giles 650cc Triumph GB Trophy Team #278 – Steve McQueen 333cc Triumph #279 – Ken Heanes 649cc Triumph GB Trophy Team ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – 3 very clean bikes preparing for the start #267 – B Nash 284cc AJS #270 – Arthur Bates 550cc AJS [BGC 978B] GB Vase Team is being prepared whilst #278 – Steve McQueen’s stands with his Triumph for the USA Vase Team ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – #278 Steve – McQueen with his immaculate 333cc Triumph [BNX 822B] ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Under some scrutiny #278 McQueen is pushes his now dirtied Triumph ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – #278 Stee McQueen pushing his clean triumph to the start of a days riding ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Helmet and Barbour International Jacket both showing the evidence of the wet weather of the event with water beading on surfaces ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
If ever there is any doubt in the value of a great star its how they thrive after death. Here McQueen is seen wearing his Bell Helmet featuring the classic blue colour with white skunk stripes of team USA. Bell have re-released the helmet as a replica and you will pay up to £300 for the pleasure, almost twice the price of competitive off road racing helmets. The Barbour McQueen range is a whole new scene. Once working motorcyclist, farmers and huntsmen used to roll around in the mud in this gear but today its more familiar on the streets of Chelsea or Madrid than its original home and a McQueen range to be frank has not only given us multiple renditions of the classical International jacket for him, her and the kids in a variety of treatments there are plaid shirts and comfortable knitted cardigans and jerseys as well as the ubiquitous man bag bearing the McQueen ISDT 1964 logo. Its such a sting brand I’ve seen adverts for rival brand Belstaff bragging McQueen wore their Trialsmaster jacket too. I am seriously surprised Triumph have yet to make a McQueen replica retro six day styled off roader for the US Market.
Photo – A clean Steve McQueen prepares his mind for the days riding ahead of him ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen’s Triumph now showing marks of use with the worn tank where his knees gripped the tank for stability in technical going ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – One of the iconic images of the ISDT #278 Steve McQueen quite unrecognisable has a breather as he reaches a checkpoint in the ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
This photo is widely considered one of the iconic images of the ISDT and Steve McQueen and in particular as an image of one of the great Triumph twins. The image became the subject of an authorised limited edition print by the renowned Motocross artist Rob Kinsey and the print can be seen below. A limited edition print run copies are still available at Rob Kinsey’s Online Gallery.
Image – painting of Steve McQueen ISDT 1964
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen cornering on loose earth puts out a stabilising leg ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen making significant pace on sealed roads watched by spectators ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen grips a bit too much throttle as his Triumph takes advantage to lift its front wheel ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo of Steve McQueen drifting the big Triumph on a climb, leg extended for stability ISDT 1964
Photo of USA Team Triumph Riders #278 – Steve McQueen and #276 – Cliff Coleman ISDT 1964
Photo of #278 Steve McQueen in a paper cutting ISDT 1964
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen checking the time as he sets off in ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen takes a moment on course to sit down and have a rest with his Barbour suit showing how it excels in holding back the dirt ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQueen seated on the ground at a rest point ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQueen seated in riding clothes ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – A rest point for Steve McQueen and the US team ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve on a tea break lies on the ground with other riders ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQuuen discussing the days happenings ISDT 1964
Photo – Steve McQueen seated with other riders, probably english speaking with a GB registered bike [BUE 110B] behind him ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQueen concentrates on the talk from other riders ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – Steve McQueen queues in line with other riders ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Photo – At the end of the day Steve had to od all his own mechanical work which today remains part of the ethos if the ISDT / ISDE for riders to look after themselves, in the background are two Greeves, #127 – RT Snelling of Holland who dropped out on day 3 and #137 – Tristan Sharp of Britain who picked up a gold medal ISDT 1964 (François Gragnon)
Some more images recently submitted by a blog follower
![photo - #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] with [BNX825B] rests before start of event ISDT 1964 (Photo. Dieter Demme)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sm8-isdt1964.jpg)
photo – #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] with [BNX825B] rests before start of event ISDT 1964 (Photo. Dieter Demme)
![photo - #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] rests before start of event ISDT 1964 (Photo. Dieter Demme)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sm9-isdt1964.jpg)
photo – #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] rests before start of event ISDT 1964 (Photo. Dieter Demme)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen ISDT 1964 (Photo: Dieter Demme}
![photo - #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] ISDT 1964 (Photo. Dieter Demme)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sm6-isdt1964.jpg)
photo – #278 Steve McQueen Triumph [BNX822B] with #276 Cliff Coleman having their seals checked at the end of a days riding ISDT 1964 (Photo. Dieter Demme)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen with #276 Cliff Coleman ISDT 1964 (Photo: Dieter Demme)
![photo - #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] ISDT 1964 (Photo: Dieter Demme)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sm5-isdt1964.jpg)
photo – #278 Steve McQueen Triumph 333 [BNX822B] ISDT 1964 (Photo: Dieter Demme)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen ISDT 1964 (Photo: Dieter Demme)
Photo – #278 Steve McQueen ISDT 1964 (Photo: Dieter Demme)
![photo - #278 Steve McQueen stands alongside Bud Ekins sat sideways on his Triumph 650 [BNX825B] ISDT 1964](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sm7-isdt1964.jpg)
photo – #278 Steve McQueen stands alongside Bud Ekins sat sideways on his Triumph 650 [BNX825B] ISDT 1964 (Photo Dieter Demme)
Photo of Steve McQueen ISDT 1964(Courtesy FIM / Paris Match)
Photo of Steve McQueen with a young Brit MX Star Dave Nicholl on the left, US riders Bud Ekins behind and Cliff Coleman with 2 British ISDT greats Roy Peplow and Johnny Giles to the right ISDT 1964 (Courtesy FIM / Paris Match)
Image of scanned cover ‘Modern Cycle’ featuring Steve McQueen ISDT 1964
Much of the recent revitilisation of the image of Steve McQueen as an ISDT entrant has been driven by the Barbour Jacket company who realise a good marketing device when they see one so as they have plundered all the pedigree they can get out of the traditional International jacket’s association with the ISDT they have identified riders and developed branded components to associate their products with the authority these riders give. Early campaign included Roy Peplow and Olga Kevelos as well as Steve McQueen, below are examples of some of the material this campaign has released
Photo – Barbour brochure image of McQueen walking across the parc fermé and providing an opportunity to see many of the bikes that took part in the event. ISDT 1964
Photo – The Triumph 333 #278 ridden by Steve McQueen in the ISDT 1964
Photo from Barbour Brochure with a view of his International jacket
Photo and a rare glimse of a different view of a famous time check stop where riders awaiting for their time to arrive to enter the check usually stop to chat, tinker with bikes and relive sketchy moments they just avoided. To the left of the picture is #276 – Cliff Coleman and #270 – A Bates AJS of Britain who waits for his minute to come up to get his card stamped. ISDT 1964
Where is it now?
Photo of #278 US Vase Team Triumph Trophy of Steve McQuuen presumably taken during its post event storage
Photo of #278 on display in Johnson Motors shop window Pasadena
Steve McQueen’s ISDT Triumph Trophy is still alive and well and is living in the USA and here seen on display in the window of Johnsons Motors Inc, Californian Triumph dealers since 1937.
photo of #278 in a Steve McQueen display in the Petersen Auto Museum, California
A team from Ace Classics set about restoring a Triumph Trophy as a Steve McQueen replica and a very good job they have down too here is a finished image
Photo – Ace Classic’s replica of the Steve McQueen ISDT Triumph at Stafford on the Barbour stand
Photo – Ace Classic’s replica of the Steve McQueen ISDT Triumph
Photo – Ace Classic’s replica of the Steve McQueen ISDT Triumph
Photo – Ace Classic’s replica of the Steve McQueen ISDT Triumph getting the once over from ISDT Ace – Johnny Giles
The Ace Classic’s web page dedicated to this replica appears to have vanished.. if we ever find it again!
Steve McQueen had a great love of British products which can be seen in his loyalty to Triumph and has come around in full circle with Barbour’s almost cult addiction to naming a range after him.
I certainly will not forget his Triumph Trophy TR6 specially prepared for filming of the great escape 1963
THE GREAT ESCAPE, Steve McQueen, 1963…Mandatory Credit: Photo by Courtesy Everett Collection / Rex Features
Another great escape shot
photo – original film poster for the Great Escape featuring Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen with Solihull’s finest ever chariot – Landrover Series IIa in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Californis May 1963.
Steve and Bud with Steve’s bike pick up
Washing down the dust from desert racing
For more on the history of these images and about Steve McQueens Motorcycling years go check out these links
Photo – original cinema poster for ‘On Any Other Sunday II, featuring Steve McQueen
DVD’s featuring Steve McQueen
The iconic 70’s movie dedicated to motorcycle sport in the USA features Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen
On Any Sunday 3 Disc Box Set [1971] [DVD]
This is the 3 DVD edition of the above
Books on Steve McQueen featuring his bikes
McQueen’s Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon
Speed Track Tales 
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Growing up there was not a single fellow that I knew that didn’t think the Mcqueen was as cool as cool can be.
fully agree….
Reblogged this on The Selvedge Yard and commented:
I’ve never reblogged a post in my life, but I happened across a real gem of a site dedicated to the International Six Days Trials event & the history of Motorcycle Reliability Trials, and thought you all would appreciate the rich content, history, and imagery on this amazing site called Speed Track Tales! I hope you enjoy it!
Yep, Steve was the man to my pals and me too! Not a glamour-boy, but the real deal.
Wonderful!!! Steve, Paul, and James, were and still are inspirations to those from my era who love bikes, and fast cars .
My Dad had a BSA, and later a Triumph. He was a librarian. In LA when he was the head librarian at the Hollywood Branch he took his bike to Bud’s shop. When he got to be the city librarian in Richmond,CA he lived in Berkeley, and used Dick Mann’s shop. He took me to some motocross races. I got to sit once with Dick Mann, Rodger DeCoster, my Dad and Bud Ekins as they had beers after a race at Corriganville in the 60s. I wasn’t old enough to drink beer, and and maybe barely enough to recognize greatness.
great memory there being shared with us, thanks for passing by and I hope our pages bring back memories of cool days bench racing .. even if only with a bottle of pop 🙂
Really good photos and stories. Thanks……….
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Excellent blogpost! I’m planning to do a ride to Erfurt with my trusty Triumph on the anniversary in 2014. Just a one small correction. The portrait in the hall is not Lenin it is of Walter Ulbricht, the East German DDR Leader.
thanks fixed the text, have a good ride’ I’d be pleased if you care to drop me a small report before and after. it would be great to read your expectations and experiences from the trip
Yes indeed it’s Ulbricht not Lenin, nice catch
It was 33 years ago today Steve passed away at 50 years old… how the hell he fitted so much into such a relative short life, he’s younger than me now… just and it still feels like I was only born a few seasons ago… where does all the time go… RIP Steve McQueen
Thank you so much for the amazing blog post.
brilliant…My dad was lucky to meet Steve when he came
over to England the year before the ISDT to do some “scrambles” (motocross) to sharpen up for the 64 event.
Reblogged this on Robkinseyart's Blog and commented:
Great blog on Steve McQueen at 1964 ISDT.
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i happened to buy a harley davidson from a gentleman named ernie boyd. for you older mxers does this name ring a bell?
Cool dude , but sure looked old in 1964 when he was only 34 years old!!!
you are right there.. I had never noticed that… must be the fast living
“I am seriously surprised Triumph have yet to make a McQueen replica retro six day styled off roader for the US Market.”
You must have missed the intro of the Scrambler back in 2006. Red and white, though the wrong way round. There were accessory number plates you could buy that had 278 printed on them.
I know what you are saying Steve but to answer I will make a comparison .. this – https://speedtracktales.com/2012/09/09/bmw-r68-isdt-tribute-gelandesport-racer-midamerica-auctions/
and this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Triumph_Scrambler_2.JPG.
After 30 years the reconstituted British motorcycle industry sometimes show how little they have learned. Simply regurgitating past ideas splattered with patriotism does not make succesful cool retro. The Scrambler is a bike I’d hope never to have to ride off a sealed surface.
However – http://www.bikeexif.com/tridays-triumph-scrambler although less is always more – http://www.bikeexif.com/mule-triumph-scrambler
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You ought to do a write up on the Penton brothers, that would also be very interesting.
I have magazines with pics of James Garner in the Baja 500 and one of the Ekins brothers winning a 500 mile desert race on a 98cc Zundapp.
We certainly should and will not to mention King Dick Burleson and Malcolm Smith, still need a bit more material and a whole lot of time, I’ve got a whole book shelf here crammed with stuff from the 30’s 40’s and 50’s that needs writing up and a few old riders to get to interview too..
Hi there,
How can I contact you?
I’m researching for a film project and would love to have a chat.
This site is incredible.
Thanks,
Fraser
Heres my email: fraser @ grainmedia.co.uk
I’ll be in touch shortly
What a great collection of ISDT pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks I am glad you like, hope you enjoyed the rest of the ISDT pages
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There’s a guy on a mopar site i go on, who won a medal for the US in Italy, on a 175 Hercules. His name is Mike Rosso.
Please tell him where we are and if he can visit tell us some of his experiences…
I messaged Mike, he’s had a look and said he will stop by when he’s got more time and post something up.
I got it wrong when i said he medalled in Italy. He had 3 silvers and 3 golds. That would have been 4 golds if the french guy hadn’t put his card in upside down, causing him to run over time costing him 60 points and relegating him to silver.
I will let Mike tell you about the rest of his exploits.
thanks I’m looking forward already, may be one for 2014
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Hello
I’m interested in finding out who the photographer was of the below image featuring Steve McQueen and Cliff Coleman featured in your ‘The price of fame: Steve McQueen and the ISDT’ post.
[IMG]https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/isdt-1964-stevequeen.jpg[/IMG]
Do you have any information on who the photographer was or who owns the image?
Many thanks,
Beth
Hi Beth,
Thanks for taking the time to make contact with your question, It’s a hand coloured version of the photo – https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sm2-isdt1964.jpg – which was taken by Dieter Demme who is a pro photographer based in Erfurt and contact details can be found via Google.
As you are from Barbour, I have contacted your press and media people several times hoping for help with sight of and use of any archive material of Barbour relating to the ISDT, beyond the McQueen focus, and have never had an acknowledgement or response. Could you draw the attention of this blogsite to your archivist and ask if they are able to help with such material that they may think is of general ISDT interest.
Thanks
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http://www.thegreatescapelocations.com
Best thing I’ve ever seen on the Internet! Never desired to respond to anything or comment on anything. This article and accompanying photos made my day.Ride on!!
Fantastic article, many thanks! You state that Steve’s ISDT bike was 333cc though? Is that right? I didn’t think Triumph made a Trophy model that small? I Own a 3TA.
Cheers!
not a typo, my error when I slavishly copied the programme when I was writing it…. I thought I had previously corrected it
Great story about the man, but where did all those incorrect bike capacity numbers come from? 333cc Triumph? Only one piston in it?
I thought I had fixed it .. the data came from the original event programme… I think you pointed it out originally to me thanks B
Trying to find information of AJS BGC 978B no 270 riden by Arther Bates
In 1964 isde
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