Triumph Bonneville T100 Steve McQueen Special Edition

Every Christmas we watch it and every time, on the edge of our seats, we think the same thing. This time, he’ll make it.

What are we talking about? Steve McQueen’s final daredevil bid for freedom in The Great Escape, of course. It’s impossible to forget that lone khaki-clad figure, gunning his stolen motorbike across the rolling hills; desperately searching for a gap in the border fence; German soldiers closing in from all sides... jump it, Steve! JUMP IT!!

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t seen the film, then probably best to skip to the next paragraph. But then, if you’ve never seen The Great Escape you’re probably used to dealing with life’s disappointments. So yes, McQueen’s brazen attempt to leap the fence ends in a painful crash and a return to the POW camp. But what of his bike?

Until now the iconic Triumph TR6 had been consigned to movie history (and many a bike-geek’s wish list). But in tribute to the late actor’s love of the British company, Triumph have created the Triumph Bonneville T100 Steve McQueen Special Edition. Inspired by the TR6 from the Great Escape, but modelled on their more advanced Bonneville T100, this lovingly crafted machine bears all the hallmarks of McQueen’s iconic wheels.

With its rugged skid plate and matt khaki and black livery, this looks every bit the utilitarian warhorse of the era. Even the Triumph logo on the fuel tank has been swapped out for a rough-and-ready stencil. But underneath this vintage styling is a thoroughly modern machine. An 865cc parallel twin engine gives a full 67 horsepower at 43 miles per gallon. Dual-piston Nissin disc brakes are mounted front and rear. And if you’re thinking that’s a carburettor there, think again. It’s a cleverly-disguised fuel injection system.

With the permission of the McQueen estate, each of these special edition cycles comes with the late actor’s signature along the side plate, and a certificate of authenticity. Limited to a manufacturing run of only 1,100 models, the Bonneville T100 Steve McQueen Special Edition is sure to jump straight to the top of every fan’s wish list and who knows; maybe finally over that border fence. This one’s for you, Virgil.