In 1966, Swedish-born MX world champion Torsten Hallman flew to America to compete in off-road competitions aboard one of Husqvarna’s new game-changing machines, resulting in Hallman winning every race he entered, and introducing the US to the motocross genre. Hearing about the unparalleled performance of Husky’s state-of-the-art dirt-goers, Steve McQueen would opt to go see one in action at a series of races in Southern California in 1968, a Husqvarna Viking 360 being campaigned by Swedish MX champ Bengt Åberg.
So taken with the 37hp two-stroke single’s performance, that McQueen would purchase the Viking 360 off of Åberg on the spot, ultimately marking the first of many Husqvarna motorcycles to be owned by the King of Cool. Developed to compete in the 500cc open class, this Viking 360 was bought by McQueen, before eventually trading hands on numerous occasions, including one owner who treated the star-owned oil-burning thumper to a complete nut and bolt restoration in 2014. While not as famous as the Husqvarna 250 and 400 Cross specimens owned by McQueen, the fact this is the first-ever Husky purchased and ridden by the late actor gives it some major historical significance (and value). Steve McQueen’s 1968 Husqvarna Viking 360 is now slated to cross the auction block at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Monterey, California sale on August 12 through 14th. For more info, you can check out the lot’s page linked below.
