Friends of Steve McQueen Carshow in Chino Hills on June 1st

The Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show is an automotive gathering held in early June to raise funds for Boys Republic, a private, non-profit, nonsectarian community for at-risk boys and girls ages 13-17. Established in 2008 by members and friends of the 356 Club of Southern California, the event attracts automobile, motorcycle and off-road motorsports enthusiasts from throughout the U.S.

Steve McQueen was nicknamed “The King of Cool and his “anti-hero” persona, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Sand Pebbles but his action roles in The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Getaway, and Papillon, as well as the all-star ensemble films The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, and The Towering Inferno cemented him as one of the most popular actors.

His popularity put him in high demand and enabled him to command large salaries. In 1974, he became the highest-paid movie star in the world, remarkably he then completely stopped acting for four years. McQueen was an avid motorcycle and racecar enthusiast. When he had the opportunity to drive in a movie, he performed many of his own stunts. Perhaps, the most memorable were the car chases in Bullitt and motorcycle chases in The Great Escape.

Every summer the Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show brings thousands of spectators to the Boys Republic campus in Chino Hills, where 16 year-old Steve McQueen spent time as a student in 1946. After a rocky beginning, McQueen gave Boys Republic a shot. He became a role model for the other boys when he was elected to the Boys Council, a group who made the rules and regulations governing the boys’ lives.

He eventually left Boys Republic at 16 and when he later became famous, he regularly returned to talk to the boys there. He also personally responded to every letter he received from the boys there, and retained a lifelong association.

Since the carshow started in 2008, the event has raised over $285,000 and has helped to attract corporate interest resulting in donations of skilled labor and building materials through the Lowe’s Heroes community improvement project valued at more than $100,000.00.

Long time Steve McQueen Car Show supporter and artist, Nicolas Hunziker created the official show painting for this year’s event. Watch in this time lapse video as he shows the process of creating last year’s piece – themed after the movie Bullitt:

Only 20 prints were released of this, with some still available. $500 of each giclee canvas print goes directly towards the Boys Republic. The contribution will be acknowledged as a tax deductible donation.

Size 27″ x 36″
Limited Edition of 20
Signed and Numbered by Artist
Printed on canvas with hand applied acrylic varnish
Mounted on wood stretcher bars and finished with a gallery wrap
Shipping in the US: $25 / Shipping to rest of World: $85

Steve McQueen Car Show – Saturday, June 1, 2013

2013 Theme: The Great Escape (this changes yearly)
Eligible Vehicles for Show Entry: Any cars, motorcycle or off-road vehicle

Show Times:

6:00 AM Gates open for display cars, sponsors & vendors only
8:00 AM Gates open for general admission
1:30 PM Awards ceremony
3:00 PM Scheduled show end time

Event Cost:

$50.00 for display car, driver, and passenger
$25.00 for display motorcycle (includes cycle and rider)
$10.00 for each additional passenger
$10.00 for general admission
Free for children 12 and under
Parking included in entrance costs

All costs can be paid by cash, check made out to Boys Republic, or any major credit card. Any admission or entry fees are tax deductible, as proceeds benefit the Boys Republic.

Awards: Ceremony at 1:30 PM

Great Escape Trophy – for the best classic motorcycle
Thomas Crown Trophies – for best Rolls-Royce and best Off Road Vehicle
Bullitt Trophy – for best Bullitt Mustang
Le Mans Trophy – for best competition race car
Getaway Trophy – for best unrestored truck
Cool Style Perpetual Trophy – awarded to the vehicle that best evokes Steve McQueen’s style and passion for automobiles
There will be additional trophies presented by the Bullitt club.

Food:

Roscoe’s Famous Deli (BBQ lunch)
In-N-Out Burgers
Attendees can bring ice chests with them to the show, but there is no smoking or alcohol allowed on campus due to state licensing requirements.