The actor/racer Steve McQueen and I had a few things in common. We were both good-looking (you laugh but I was once a male model!). We both raced Porsches. We both worked in the film business. We both collected vintage cars.

If it sounds like I'm star-struck let me put this in perspective. McQueen drove the fastest Porsche racers of his period, whereas mine was a stock 356B coupe. He was a genuine Film Star while I wrote and directed TV commercials. He collected a variety of rare cars and motorcycles. I collected one vintage Jaguar sedan and didn't keep it. But it seems we had one more thing in common. We both liked Hudsons.

I learned of McQueen's affection for Hudsons while reading RM Auction's description of the 1950 Hudson Commodore Six Convertible (above) which goes under the hammer at its Scottsdale AZ sale, January 16. This Commodore was one of four Hudsons owned by McQueen as one of his prized daily drivers. The original 6-cylinder engine was replaced by a high-compression 308 cubic-inch six, upgraded with a mild camshaft and "Twin H-Power" induction system.

Shortly before McQueen's death in 1980 the car was sold to a friend, who placed it into long-term dry storage in a San Bernardino, California warehouse. It has recently been maintained by RM Restoration in preparation for this offering in Arizona.

Forget about Steve's racers and my Porsche. If ever you yearned to own a car driven and loved by a famous personality, this is it. Unless you'd like to buy my 2003 Focus ZX5. Autograph included at no extra cost.