Steve McQueen’s bike sells for almost $100,000

A 1940 Indian Chief used by Steve McQueen as his ‘Hollywood’ bike has been sold at auction for $99,450 (£59,167).

The 1000cc bike was one of McQueen’s favourite machines and was restored for him by pal and marque expert Sammy Pierce.

It has had just three owners since it was sold following McQueen’s death in 1980 and remains in pristine condition.

A number of other McQueen owned Indians, including a 1919 Daytona Twin Racer with sidecar and a Boardtrack racer failed to sell at the Bonham’s sale in California.

Although the McQueen bikes proved too expensive for buyers, one collector was happy to shell out $95,940 (£57,000) for a 1968 Egli-Vincent by Godet.

The rare machine has done just 660 miles from new – meaning it is not even fully broken in yet.

It was built by world famous Vincent specialist, Frenchman Patrick Godet, under special licence from Fritz Egli, who designed its tubular frame to tame the way wood handling of his Vincent v-twin racer.