If diamonds are a woman’s best friend, could cars be a a man’s? This is certainly true for British fashion photographer Ben Dunbar-Brunton, who is the AnOther Lover of the week with his choice of Steve McQueen’s Jaguar XKSS.
If diamonds are a woman’s best friend, could cars be a a man’s? This is certainly true for British fashion photographer Ben Dunbar-Brunton, who is the AnOther Lover of the week with his choice of Steve McQueen’s Jaguar XKSS.
American movie actor McQueen, nicknamed “The King of Cool”, was also obsessed with cars and an avid car racer. Well known for performing many of his own stunts, he famously did the majority of the stunt driving in the high-speed chase scene in Bullitt, the 1968 American blockbuster thriller. Owning a number of exotic sport cars, this 1957 Jaguar XK-SS “Green Rat” was the most iconic of McQueen’s collection and also one that he liked to drive extremely fast – McQueen collected so many speeding tickets in it, he had his drivers licence suspended twice.
Here car enthusiast Dunbar-Brunton shares his adoration and knowledge of cars and explains why he chose to specifically Love Steve McQueen’s Jaguar XKSS on the AnOther Loves stream.
Why did you choose to Love Steve McQueen’s Jaguar XKSS?
I love that classic car designs carry a distinctive national, therefore sociocultural, identity. The right contrast is always exciting, here it's a very British car in a very American location with an iconic American at the wheel. American cars in London have the same effect.
Are you a car enthusiast?
They touch my soul.
What is the appeal in cars?
They overload the senses with power, motion and nostalgia as interactive audio-visual sculptures.
What do you drive?
1963 Dodge Custom 880 2-door hardtop, in Oyster White over Surf Green Metallic.
1972 Ford Torino Wagon in Grey Gold Metallic.
What would be your dream car or cars?
Today I need a 1971 De Tomaso Pantera.
An avid racer, McQueen collected a huge amount of speeding tickets and had his drivers licence suspended a number of times – have you ever been fined?
I have never been stopped or fined for speeding, but I was arrested for stealing a car 20 years ago.
What was the last thing you bought?
23 pairs of vintage selvedge Levi's not in my size - if anyone needs a pair of jeans!
If you could own anything what would it be?
A classic Riva Aquarama motorboat.
What is your favourite online shop?
eBay.
Text by Lucia Davies
