Alongside his iconic film career and penchant for fashion, Steve McQueen was well-known for his love of motorcycles and motorsport, with the Indiana-born actor boasting a lengthy competition history, racing both cars and motorcycles on and off-road. On top of competing in the Mint 400, the Baja 1000, and the Elsinore Grand Prix, McQueen was also chosen to race for the American team at the 1964 International Six Day Trials (or ISDT) in East Germany.
Piloting a Triumph TR6SC, McQueen and his team actually lead the race prior to himself and teammate — and legendary stuntman — Bud Ekins both crashing out. During the event, the “King of Cool” famously wore his signature Barbour waxed-canvas jacket and a custom-painted Bell TX open-face helmet — the latter of which is now being honored via a limited edition run of replica Bell Custom 500 Six Day McQueen motorcycle helmets. Born out of a partnership between Bell and the McQueen Estate, the helmet harkens back to the so-called Golden Age of motorcycling.
Sporting a replica paint scheme of McQueen’s ISDT lid, the Custom 500 Six Day McQueen Helmet features a white and blue livery contrasted via red accents. Fitted with a blacked-out interior and padding, the limited edition brain bucket also boasts a decal of McQueen’s 278 race number, and the word “Steve” scrawled in red across the back of the vintage-inspired helmet. Furthering the authenticity of the helmet is the inclusion of a period-correct 510 visor that ships with each unit. What’s more, each helmet is also sold with an included keychain that bares McQueen’s name and a special black leather helmet bag.
Available in sizes XS through XXL across five shell sizes, the Bell Custom 500 Six Day McQueen Motorcycle Helmet is available now, with pricing starting at $210.
