Could Steve McQueen’s 1950 Hudson Commodore be the bargain of the year?

In 2011, the Nomex suit worn by Steve McQueen\ (as racer Michael Delaney) during the filming of 1971’s Le Mans sold for $984,000 at auction. In 2013, his brown tweed sportcoat worn during the filming of 1968’s Bullitt reportedly sold for $720,000 at auction, a claim later disproved when the jacket sold for a more sensible $120,000 at a 2014 auction. Why, then, is a 1950 Hudson Commodore convertible once owned by Steve McQueen predicted to sell at Quail Lodge for a price less than the car’s current average retail?

Hudson debuted its Monobilt semi-unit construction chassis for the 1948 model year, becoming one of the first American automakers to launch an all-new model following the conclusion of the Second World War. With its “step down” design that required driver and passenger to climb into a floor pan located between the perimeter frame rails, the new Hudson models boasted a low center of gravity, which gave them impressive handling for the day. Atop the model range was the Commodore, which Hudson offered in a two-door coupe, a two-door convertible and a four-door sedan, with either inline six-cylinder or inline eight-cylinder power.

The Hudson Commodore convertible to be offered in California is a 1950 model, powered by the Twin H-Power 308-cu.in. inline six from the later Hudson Hornet instead of its original 262-cu.in. inline six. Output, then is increased from the original 123 horsepower to roughly 170 horsepower, and the engine is mated to a three-speed manual transmission. The auction description suggests that the engine swap was made when it was in McQueen’s possession, but aside from the actor’s claimed long-term ownership, there’s no verifiable proof that this was the case.

Described as “largely original,” the Hudson has received at least one paint job, in a non-original white over light brown. Condition-wise, it’s described as having a “charming patina,” hinting that little has been done to alter the car since the actor’s death in 1980. As related in the description, the Hudson was part of McQueen’s estate, and was sold to a friend of the actor upon his death. Placed in long-term storage, the Commodore was later acquired by the consignor, described as a “passionate collector of exceptional automobiles.”