Steve McQueen was never just a car collector. To him, cars weren’t museum pieces to be dusted; they were tools to be used, abused, and driven to their absolute limit. But even the “King of Cool” needed a place to power down—a place where the only cameras were the ones he brought himself.
While he kept a home in Hollywood, his heart—and his machinery—resided in a secret, gritty hideout north of Los Angeles: The Santa Paula Airport.
This wasn’t just a storage unit. McQueen literally lived in a hangar here, waking up to the smell of aviation fuel and coffee on the tarmac. He wasn’t alone; for decades, this “anti-Hollywood” airfield has been the hush-hush sanctuary for stars like Harrison Ford and Cliff Robertson, a place where A-listers trade red carpets for runways to escape the spotlight.
Today, that legacy is being reborn. With the upcoming Chaparral AeroLofts—a new, exclusive car condo community rising on this very same ground—modern enthusiasts will soon be able to own a piece of the tarmac where McQueen roamed.
But to understand the sanctuary, you first have to understand the metal that lived there. From the streets of Mulholland Drive to the dusty runways of Santa Paula, this is the definitive list of the machines that defined the man.
STEVE’S CLASSIC CAR ICONS
1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster 1600 Super
If there is a genesis point for McQueen’s dual identity as an actor and a racing driver, it was this “1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster 1600 Super”. Steve McQueen helped make the 1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster an iconic sports car, and today, another rare example is owned by none other than comedian Jerry Seinfeld.
This is Steve McQueen’s black 1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster 1600 Super. Bought fresh with his The Blob paycheck, he added Rudge wheels and raced it to victory at Santa Barbara. A true 4-speed manual legend that started it all.
Purchased new as his acting career began to gain traction, this wasn’t just a weekend cruiser; it was the tool he used to learn the art of speed. McQueen didn’t just drive it; he campaigned it, entering SCCA races in 1959 and proving immediately that he had natural talent by winning his class at Santa Barbara.
Chad Steven McQueen was an American actor, film producer, martial artist, and race car driver. He was the only son and last living child of actor Steve McQueen
Aesthetically, the car was a masterclass in understatement. Ordered as a rare ‘Super’ model (meaning it packed more horsepower than the standard 1600), he specified a triple-black finish that looked menacing on the track. It was optioned with rare Rudge knock-off wheels, essential for quick pit work, and a cigarette lighter for his off-track habits.
Though he sold it as he moved on to faster machinery, his emotional connection to this specific chassis was so strong that he hunted it down years later to bring it back into the family fold.
Today, the McQueen original 1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster 1600 Super is owned by his son, Chad McQueen, who has preserved its originality and uses it for events, keeping it in the family legacy rather than selling it publicly.
- Chassis & Model: #84185; 1600 “Super” Speedster (late production)
- The “McQueen Spec”: Triple Black (Paint, Interior, Top) with Rudge knock-off wheels
- Racing Provenance: McQueen’s first SCCA race car (1st in Class, 1959)
1956 Jaguar XKSS “The Green Rat”
While the Porsche started his racing career, the Jaguar XKSS defined his reputation as the “King of Cool” on the streets of Los Angeles.
“Steve McQueen’s Favorite Daily Driver”
This was no ordinary sports car; it was essentially a Le Mans-winning D-Type racer with a windshield and a passenger door, barely civilized for public roads.
McQueen at his Laurel Canyon home with the “Green Rat,” a 1956 Jaguar XKSS. One of just 16 built, this 3.4L inline-6 was originally white over red. McQueen paid just $5,000 in 1958, buying it from Bill Leyden (ex-James Peterson car). He repainted it British Racing Green, customized the interior black, and drove it hard. He famously sold it, missed it, and bought it back to keep forever.
Visceral, hot, and incredibly loud, it terrified passengers and attracted police attention wherever it went—McQueen reportedly collected enough speeding tickets in it to nearly lose his license twice. McQueen bought it for $5,000 from its original owner.
McQueen nicknamed this vehicle “The Green Rat,” a term of endearment for a car that was rough around the edges but mechanically brilliant.
Unhappy with the original white paint and red interior, McQueen customized it to his taste, respraying it British Racing Green and retrimming the interior in black leather. It became his favorite daily driver and was later a permanent resident of his hangar at Santa Paula.
Steve McQueen’s famous 1956 Jaguar XKSS, nicknamed the “Green Rat,” is currently housed and displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, though it occasionally goes on loan or is used for special museum events and rides.
- Chassis: #713 (Converted from D-Type XKD 569)
- Customization: Repainted British Racing Green with a custom black interior by Tony Nancy
- Performance: A road-legal Le Mans race car with a 3.4L straight-six engine
Steve McQueen’s 1956 Jaguar XKSS, chassis #713, hasn’t recently sold at a major public auction; it was sold in a private transaction in 1984 for $148,000 to his friend Richard Freshman, and then acquired by the Petersen Automotive Museum in 1999/2000, where it resides today, valued at tens of millions. It is often estimated to be worth over $30 million today.
1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback ‘Bullitt’
This is the machine that cemented Steve McQueen in the public consciousness. While McQueen didn’t own the car during filming, the Highland Green Mustang was an extension of his character, Detective Frank Bullitt.
McQueen was instrumental in the car’s look; he insisted on stripping it of all badging, chrome, and fog lights to give it a “lived-in,” stealthy appearance that contrasted sharply with the flashy cars of the era.
The King of Cool immortalized this Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback in Bullitt. Packing a 390 V8 and 4-speed, McQueen himself thrashed this “Hero Car” through San Francisco in cinema’s greatest chase scene. It wasn’t just a prop; it was a co-star. Sold for a record $3.74 million, it remains the ultimate symbol of McQueen’s raw, authentic style and the film that defined a generation.
Record Selling Price: Steve McQueen’s iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (Serial #8R02S125559), known as the “Bullitt” hero car, was sold at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, on January 10, 2020, for a hammer price of $3.4 million (totaling $3.74 million with buyer’s premium), setting a new record for the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction.
The result was a car that looked mean, sounded angry, and handled the abuse of the legendary San Francisco jumps thanks to heavy-duty suspension upgrades.
McQueen grew so attached to the “Hero Car” (#559) that he spent years trying to buy it from the Kiernan family to restore it to its movie condition, but was famously refused.
The Holy Grail of Mustangs. Steve McQueen’s actual Highland Green 1968 GT from Bullitt. Robert Kiernan bought it for just $6,000 in 1974 and famously refused to sell it back to McQueen! After decades in hiding, it surfaced at Mecum Kissimmee 2020, sparking a bidding war that ended at a record $3.74 million. A 390 V8 legend that proves the “King of Cool’s” touch is priceless.
Steve McQueen’s 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback ‘Bullitt’ is the most recognizable movie car in history among car collectors!!
- Serial Number: #559 (The surviving “Hero Car”)
- The Look: Highland Green paint, debadged grille, and American Racing Torq Thrust wheels
- Legacy: Sold for a record $3.74 million in 2020; inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register
- Read More
The “King of Cool’s” Steve McQueen’s Ferrari Collection:
Steve McQueen, the “King of Cool,” was never just a Hollywood star posing in a cockpit. He was a genuine gearhead with a racing license and a relentless thirst for mechanical perfection.
Unlike the vast majority of collectors who treated cars as static investments, McQueen bought them for one reason: to drive them hard.
In this regard, he was cut from the same cloth as his friendly rival, Paul Newman. While Hollywood saw them as leading men, the paddock knew the truth: both men shared a dangerous addiction to speed that no movie script could satisfy. They were racers first, actors second.
The “Bad Guy” car! McQueen posing with the Ferrari 512 S from Le Mans. Enzo Ferrari refused to supply cars because the script had Porsche winning, so McQueen’s team bought them anyway! A 550hp V12 beast bought just to lose.
But McQueen’s relationship with Ferrari was unique. It was intense, personal, and defined by a specific taste for “understated aggression.” He didn’t want flash; he wanted performance. While he flirted with other marques, his Ferraris were special—serving as both daily drivers and custom projects that reflected his rugged, uncompromising persona.
**Below is the story of the most significant Ferraris to pass through his legendary hands.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso (McQeens Beloved Daily Driver)
For his 34th birthday in 1964, McQueen’s first wife, Neile Adams, gave him a gift that would become his most cherished Ferrari: a 1963 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso.Purchased from Otto Zipper Motors on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, this car was the epitome of Italian grand touring elegance.
Pure class! McQueen’s 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso in rare “Marrone” was his daily driver. Gifted by his wife, he hammered this 3.0L V12 beauty on the street. Sold for $2.3M, it’s widely considered the most beautiful Ferrari ever built.
McQueen in the driveway with his Bull Terrier, Slippers, and the 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso. He daily-drove this rare “Marrone” 3.0L V12 beauty. A perfect snapshot of the King of Cool: exotic cars and loyal dogs.
- Chassis: 4891
- Engine: 3.0L Colombo V12 (Type 168U)
- Designer: Pininfarina (Coachwork by Scaglietti)
- Color: Marrone Metallizzato (Metallic Brown) over Beige Leather
The “Lusso” (Italian for Luxury) combined a race-bred 3.0-liter V12 engine with a luxurious interior, making it one of the most beautiful and drivable Ferraris ever made.
McQueen finally traded the car in 1973. Decades later, it was rediscovered and painstakingly restored by Michael Regalia.
Record Auciton Sale: The car’s provenance proved legendary when it crossed the block at Christie’s Monterey auction in August 2007, selling for $2.31 million—nearly double its estimate and setting a world record for the model at the time.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta
- Chassis: 10621
- Engine: 3.3L Colombo V12 (Four-Cam)
- Designer: Pininfarina (Coachwork by Scaglietti)
- Original Color: Nocciola (Hazelnut)
- McQueen Color: Chianti Red
If the Lusso was his elegant daily driver, the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 was his custom hot rod. McQueen acquired this car in late 1967 while filming Bullitt, specifically to replace a N.A.R.T. Spyder he had wrecked (see below).
When the car arrived, it was painted Nocciola (a metallic gold/hazelnut), a color McQueen reportedly despised.
True to his nature, he immediately sent the car to Lee Brown at Precision Auto Body with instructions to repaint it Chianti Red which was a deep, luscious maroon that he felt better suited the car’s lines.
The $10 million survivor! Delivered on the Bullitt set, McQueen painted this 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Chianti Red. Unbelievably, a later owner chopped the roof off! Now restored to “McQueen spec,” this V12 icon smashed records, selling for $10.1 million.
Record Auction Selling Price:Steve McQueen’s 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (Chassis 10621) was sold at auction multiple times, notably at RM Sotheby’s Monterey in August 2014 for $10.175 million, and again in August 2023 for $5.395 million, with the car fetching significantly higher prices due to its famous owner, according to Barchetta CC and RM Sotheby’s
But the customization didn’t stop at paint. To make the car truly one-of-a-kind, McQueen salvaged parts from his crashed N.A.R.T. Spyder, specifically the rare Borrani wire wheels and a sleek, aerodynamic side mirror, grafting them onto this coupe.
The result was a stunning “McQueen Special” that he drove aggressively for about four years. It was the only Ferrari in his stable during the late 60s.
After passing through several owners (including Zorro actor Guy Williams) and being restored to McQueen’s exact specifications, this car became one of the most valuable movie-star cars in history.
In 2014, it sold at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction for a staggering $10.175 million.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 N.A.R.T. Spyder
- Chassis: 10453
- Engine: 3.3L Colombo V12
- Designer: Pininfarina (Coachwork by Scaglietti)
- Color: Blu Sera (Dark Metallic Blue)
The story of McQueen’s 275 GTB/4 cannot be told without mentioning the car that preceded it: the incredibly rare 275 GTS/4 N.A.R.T. Spyder. Only ten of these open-top masterpieces were ever built, commissioned by Luigi Chinetti for the North American market.
McQueen fell in love with the model after driving one (Chassis #10709) in the film The Thomas Crown Affair. He famously tried to buy the movie car, but the owner refused to sell.
Undeterred, McQueen ordered his own, Chassis #10453, finished in Blu Sera. However, his ownership was short-lived and ill-fated. Shortly after taking delivery, McQueen was rear-ended (some stories say he crashed it while testing its limits).
Impatient with the long repair time required for the aluminum bodywork, he returned the damaged convertible and ordered the 275 GTB/4 coupe instead. Before letting the Spyder go, he swapped its wire wheels onto his new coupe—ensuring a piece of this rare convertible lived on in his collection.
The Steve McQueen Ferrari 275 Saga: Which Ferrari Was First—and Why?
Record Selling Price: Steve McQueen’s iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (Serial #8R02S125559), known as the “Bullitt” hero car, was sold at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, on January 10, 2020, for a hammer price of $3.4 million (totaling $3.74 million with buyer’s premium), setting a new record for the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction.
The result was a car that looked mean, sounded angry, and handled the abuse of the legendary San Francisco jumps thanks to heavy-duty suspension upgrades.
THE RACE CARS
1959 Lotus Eleven Race Car
If the Porsche 356 was McQueen’s entry into racing, the Lotus Eleven was his graduation to the big leagues. Acquired in 1959 to replace his Speedster, this was no dual-purpose sports car; it was a featherweight, purpose-built weapon designed strictly for the track.
Clad in British Racing Green, this Series 2 Le Mans model forced McQueen to refine his driving style, teaching him the importance of momentum and smoothness over brute force.
McQueen famously credited this car with teaching him “what real racing was all about.”
The lesson paid off quickly: piloting the car under race number #33, he took a commanding victory at the Santa Barbara Road Races in 1959.
The car that proved he was a pro. McQueen’s 1959 Lotus Eleven #33. He traded comfort for raw speed in this 1,000-lb featherweight. Powered by a screaming 1.1L Coventry Climax engine, he drove this aluminum wedge to silence the critics.
- Chassis: 11-103 (Rare Series 2 “Le Mans” spec)
- The Achievement: Piloted by McQueen to a class victory at the 1959 Santa Barbara Road Races
On May 31, 1959, at the Santa Barbara Road Races, McQueen drove his Lotus Eleven (wearing race number #33) to a 1st Place victory in the “Novice” race.
This wasn’t a “celebrity fun run.” It was a sanctioned SCCA/CSCC event against serious drivers. This win is historically significant because it was the moment the racing world stopped looking at him as an “actor playing a driver” and started respecting him as a genuine talent.
McQueen sold the Lotus in late 1959 to upgrade to open-wheel racing (a Cooper T-52 Formula Junior).
After passing through several owners and racing in obscurity for decades, the car (Chassis #103) was rediscovered and painstakingly restored to its original silver finish with the black number #33.
Current Status: It was sold at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge auction in 2016 for $134,200. It currently resides in a private collection and is occasionally seen at top-tier vintage racing events like the Monterey Reunion.
The Hollywood Racer: 1970 Ferrari 512 S
- Chassis: 1036
- Engine: 5.0L V12
- Significance: Filming Le Mans
While not a road car, the Ferrari 512 S (Chassis #1036) is critical to the McQueen legend because it represents his obsession with realism. When Enzo Ferrari learned that the script for Le Mans had a Porsche winning, he famously refused to officially support the production.
Undeterred, McQueen’s Solar Productions went around the factory and purchased this chassis, a bona fide works test car, through Belgian importer Jacques Swaters.
The “Bad Guy” car! McQueen posing with the Ferrari 512 S from Le Mans. Enzo Ferrari refused to supply cars because the script had Porsche winning, so McQueen’s team bought them anyway! A 550hp V12 beast bought just to lose.
This wasn’t a prop; it was a 550-horsepower weapon that had to be driven at race speeds to keep up with the Porsche 917s on camera.
While another 512 S (Chassis #1026) was famously burned to a crisp during the filming of a crash scene, this car survived the shoot and was later sold to racing teams in Switzerland, carrying the legacy of being the machine McQueen bought just to prove he could make the ultimate racing movie.
1970 Porsche 917K
- Chassis Number: 917-022
- Livery: Gulf Oil (Powder Blue and Orange)
- Current Status: Owned by Jerry Seinfeld; restored to original movie specifications
If the Highland Green Mustang is the icon of McQueen’s street persona, this Porsche 917K is the deity of his racing life.
Purchased brand new from the factory by McQueen’s production company, Solar Productions, this specific car (chassis 917-022) was the “Hero Car” for the 1971 film Le Mans.
In the movie, it wore the racing number #20 and was piloted by McQueen’s character, Michael Delaney, etching the powder blue and orange Gulf livery into the minds of car enthusiasts forever.
The “King of Cool” reading lines in his 240mph office! This 1970 Porsche 917K wears the iconic Gulf Blue livery. Powered by a screaming 4.5L Flat-12, this actual race car (Chassis 022) starred in Le Mans and sold for over $14 million.
McQueen desperately wanted to race the 917K at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jackie Stewart. However, the production company’s insurance backers refused to cover him if he did, considering the car too dangerous. As a result, he only drove the 917K for the cameras during the filming of Le Mans.
Steve McQueen’s Porsche 917K (chassis 917-024, used in the film Le Mans) was sold at Gooding & Company’s Monterey auction in August 2017, fetching $14,080,000, a record for a Porsche at the time, though a different 917K (chassis 917-022) connected to him later failed to sell at auction in 2025.
- Chassis Number: 917-022
- Livery: Gulf Oil (Powder Blue and Orange)
- Current Status: Owned by Jerry Seinfeld; restored to original movie specifications
To clarify the record-breaking history, two different “Le Mans” cars have crossed the auction block.
First, Chassis 917-024—used primarily as a camera car—sold at Gooding & Company in 2017 for a then-record $14.08 million. However, the true “Hero Car” is Chassis 917-022, the machine McQueen’s character Michael Delaney actually raced in the film. (Read more in the Robb Report)
Owned by Jerry Seinfeld, this specific car headlined Mecum Kissimmee in January 2025, where it commanded a stunning high bid of $25 million but ultimately failed to meet the reserve and did not sell publicly.
1953 Siata 208S Spyder
Before he ascended to the V12 power of actual Ferraris, McQueen honed his taste on this exquisite Italian jewel. He discovered the car at McAfee Motors in Los Angeles in the mid-1950s and fell in love with its lines.
Powered by a rare 2.0-liter Fiat V8 engine and hand-built by Bertone, the Siata was agile, beautiful, and incredibly rare. McQueen was so enamored with the car’s performance that he famously rebadged it, affectionately calling it his “Little Ferrari.”
The “Little Ferrari”! Before the millions, McQueen raced this 1953 Siata 208S Spyder. Powered by a rare 2.0L V8, he famously slapped Ferrari badges on the nose because he couldn’t afford the real thing yet! The rare Italian roadster that sparked his obsession with speed.
Steve loved his Siata 2087 Spyder. He was quoted as saying : “In many ways, the Siata is a better car than even a Ferrari California Spider because the Siata of its superior balance, refinement, and agility.”
McQueen purchased this 1953 Siata 208S Spyder in 1956. A young Steve McQueen walked into Ernie McAfee Engineering on Sunset Boulevard and fell in love with a rare Italian jewel: the 1953 Siata 208S Spyder (Chassis BS523). With only 35 examples ever built, this remains one of the most coveted collector cars in the world.
- Chassis Number: BS-523
- Nickname: “The Little Ferrari” (McQueen added Ferrari badges to it)
- Legacy: A rare, hand-built exotic that predated his famous Ferrari collection
THE SANCTUARY & THE BATTLEFIELD
Where does a man like Steve McQueen keep a collection like this? Not in a Beverly Hills garage.
He needed a place that matched his grit. McQueen’s heart belonged to two dusty locations north of Los Angeles: a quiet airport hangar where he found peace, and a high-speed racetrack where he found adrenaline.
Steve is known for playing with and storing his collection of collector cars at the Santa Paula Airport hangar. This quaint airport hangar served the King of Cool well, along with his wife, friends, and, of course, his cars.
The hangar is conveniently located just one hour north of Los Angeles and is a halfway point to the famous Willow Springs Raceway.
About The Santa Paula Airport Hangar
The King of Cool’s “Anti-Hollywood” Sanctuary!!!
Toward the end of his life, McQueen sought an escape from the suffocating fame of Hollywood.
He found it at Santa Paula Airport, a small, rural airfield surrounded by farmland that reminded him of his childhood in Missouri.
In 1979, he purchased a large hangar (Hangar #112) and, in true McQueen fashion, he didn’t just store his toys there—he moved in.
Steve used to say, ‘Santa Paula Airport is my kinda country club.’” — Mike Dewey (Recalling his conversations with McQueen)
While his nearby ranch house was being renovated, he and his wife Barbara, lived in the hangar, turning it into the ultimate enthusiast’s loft.
The routine was simple and sacred: McQueen would throw open the massive hangar doors each morning, drag an old, ratty chair onto the tarmac, and drink his coffee for two hours while watching the planes take off.
Barbara, describing their actual daily life in the hangar as:
“Living in the Santa Paula hangar was among the best times I ever had. We got up in the morning, pushed the button to open the hangar door, made coffee and enjoyed life. Steve flew every morning. He loved it—this was his church.” — Barbara McQueen
Here, he wasn’t a movie star; he was just “Steve,” a guy who owned a yellow Boeing Stearman biplane, a massive collection of Indian motorcycles, and the “Green Rat” 1956 Jaguar XKSS.
He hung out with local pilots and his old stunt double, enjoying the anonymity of a place where people cared more about your landing gear than your box office receipts.
A Runway of Legends Santa Paula Airport remains Hollywood’s ultimate hidden sanctuary, a place where stars trade red carpets for runways and anonymity.
For decades, this underrated gem has served as a private aviation base, a weekend escape, and a strategic stopover for thrill-seekers heading to Willow Springs Raceway.
It is hallowed ground where legends like Steve McQueen and Cliff Robertson famously owned hangars to live out their passions in peace.
They paved the way for serious aviators like Harrison Ford and Gene Hackman, who have frequented these quiet skies to master their craft.
The Legacy Continues: Chaparral AeroLofts
Today, the spirit of McQueen’s sanctuary is being reborn at Santa Paula with the Chaparral AeroLofts.
While McQueen had to renovate an old industrial building to create his fortress of solitude, this future “car condo” club offers the ultimate evolution of his dream: luxury, fee-simple hangar residences designed specifically for the modern collector.
Whether you are storing a vintage Porsche or landing your Pilatus for a weekend getaway, Chaparral AeroLofts invites you to own a piece of the same tarmac where the “King of Cool” once roamed, blending historic grit with modern luxury.
Willow Springs: The Legend Next Door
If you aren’t familiar with Willow Springs International Raceway, you should be. Known as “The Fastest Road in the West,” this place is holy ground for car people. It’s fast, it’s technical, and it has a soul that newer tracks just can’t replicate.
For decades, this was the playground for Hollywood’s speed freaks. We’re talking absolute legends like Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and James Dean.
Even today, you’ll see guys like Adrien Brody and Gene Hackman out there pushing cars to the limit. Even Jay Leno raced the track:
Jay Leno is quoted as saying: “You get out there and you feel alive again. It’s like a band of brothers… you reach back and pull each other up.”
They call it “The Renaissance of a Legend.
As one of the most famous celebrity race tracks in the country is getting a serious upgrade. While everyone knows the history, here is the part most people don’t know yet: Willow Springs is in the middle of a massive renaissance.
The track was just snapped up by Singer Vehicle Design (the guys who build those million-dollar reimagined Porsche 911s) and CrossHarbor Capital.
They are currently pouring millions into “Willow Springs Reimagined,” taking this historic, gritty track and turning it into a world-class motorsport resort and private club. It’s about to become the premier driving destination in California.
“We are excited to preserve the history of Willow Springs while continuing to make improvements that establish it as the premier venue for motorsport enthusiasts of all kinds.” — Sam Byrne, Co-founder of CrossHarbor Capital
The Perfect Weekend Run. This is where Chaparral AeroLofts becomes a total game-changer.
- Step 1: Fly into Santa Paula Airport.
- Step 2: Walk to your hangar and fire up your favorite car from your collection.
- Step 3: Enjoy a beautiful, quick 1.5-hour drive through the canyons directly to the track.
You get the best of both worlds: a private, secure HQ for your cars in Santa Paula, and a legendary racing resort just a short sprint away. It’s the ultimate driver’s loop.
LIVE THE LEGACY: THE CHAPARRAL AEROLOFTS™
Steve McQueen didn’t just choose an airport; he chose a lifestyle. He understood that for a true enthusiast, the line between “home” and “machine” should be invisible. He wanted to wake up, smell the octane, and be steps away from the cockpit of his Stearman or the driver’s seat of his Jaguar.
Today, at that very same historic Santa Paula Airport, the spirit of McQueen’s sanctuary is being reborn—but this time, with a level of luxury and ownership he could have only dreamed of.
Welcome to Chaparral AeroLofts™.
While McQueen had to convert an old industrial hangar to build his fortress of solitude, Chaparral AeroLofts the ultimate evolution of that dream: a collection of 37 exclusive, fee-simple hangar residences (car condos) designed specifically for the modern aviator and car collector.
The Ultimate “Man Cave” Evolved McQueen called his hangar a “sanctuary.” Chaparral takes that concept to new heights.
- For the Collector: Just as Steve kept his “Green Rat” XKSS and Indian motorcycles safe indoors, these units offer climate-controlled, tall showroom spaces to protect your vintage Ferraris and Porsches from heat and dust.
- For the Aviator: Forget leasing. These units offer direct taxiway access to the runway. Land your Cessna or Pilatus, taxi to your door, and step into your home.
- The Living Space: Unlike the rough quarters of the 70s, these lofts feature custom second-floor penthouses and mezzanines. Imagine sipping a whiskey on your private deck, overlooking the Heritage Valley sunset, while your prized collection rests securely beneath your feet.
Own Your Freedom McQueen sought freedom from Hollywood studios; Chaparral offers freedom from hangar leases. This is a rare opportunity for fee-simple condo ownership in a high-demand aviation real estate asset.
You can own a piece of the same tarmac where the “King of Cool” once roamed. Whether you are storing a 1958 Porsche Speedster or a P-51 Mustang, Chaparral AeroLofts™ is more than storage—it is a monument to your passion.
For Private Tours and Purchase Information:
Stephen Wolpin Three Fliers LLC | Chaparral AeroLofts™
Call/Text: 805.279.1197
Email: swolpin@earthlink.net
DRE#: 01913011
