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In the realm where Hollywood meets automotive history, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Steve McQueen’s iconic 1974 CJ5 Jeep.
The journey all started at a pho shop in Honolulu, Hawaii called Pho Vietnam which is Anderson’s Friday afternoon hangout when he’s in town. Gabing with the owner/chef about this and that, the subject quickly changed to Steve Mcqeen one of Anderson’s idols.
Phil Anderson, the tech wizard at Seattle Software Developers and Seattle Digital Marketing has long sought out vintage americana to showcase in his software firm and has such treasures as Jimi Hendrix’s 1964 twin reverb as well as Prince’s purple Fender Telecaster but when he heard that there was a missing CJ5 that was once owned by Steve Mcqueen, his years perked up.
According to chef Joy Fong, she remembers seeing Steve and Ali driving around Maui and Honolulu in a new blue CJ and she learned from a key grip on the set of Papillon that Steve received the Jeep as a birthday present from his then wife Ali Mcgraw while he was shooting the cliff scene in Papillon.
After that lunch in 2019, Anderson embarked on a six year quest that started by first locating and then pouring over old pictures of the movie set trying to find a license plate. Reaching out to an old friend that worked construction on almost every movie set filmed in Hawaii, Fischer ended up at a home in Ke’anae, Maui where someone on the set had two license plate shots.
With that bit of information, Anderson finally had the elusive VIN number that ended a six year’s long hunt for the elusive blue Jeep, which had since been painted yellow by Steve’s son. To make matters worse the Jeep was Hydro Locked (water in the engine) “four wheeling” in Topanga Creek which is a river system in the hills of Santa Monica.
Fast forward 45 years to a San Jose junkyard; a place where rusted relics and forgotten dreams often find their final resting place. There, among the debris and discarded parts, was a yellow weather-beaten Jeep that seemed to whisper tales of a bygone era. Forgotten due to a spat between Mcgraw and Steve’s last wife Minty over many of Steve’s cars, in the late 70’s, it was simply towed as far away from Santa Monica as they seemed fit, and there it slept until August of 2022.
“When I first saw the Jeep in a junkyard,” Fischer recalls, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “It was a hot day, and I had finally traced the VIN to the yard and I could not believe it when I saw the Jeep sitting under 12 other cars, and while it had seen better days I fell in love.” Fischer continued “They did not even know who’s Jeep it was! I picked it up as is, engine hydro locked, for 2K. The registration was in the name of Ali Macgraw in the center console, along with a mens muddy wallet and miscellaneous Jeep stuff”
Anderson knew at that moment that he had finally found a piece of automotive history—a vehicle once owned by none other than Steve McQueen, the King of Cool himself. The CJ5, gifted to McQueen on his birthday in Honolulu during the filming of “Papillon” in the 1970s by his then-wife Ali MacGraw, had been presumed lost since the 1980s.
The Restoration Project Begins
For Anderson, a lifelong enthusiast of vintage cars and a self-professed Jeep aficionado, the discovery of McQueen’s CJ5 was both a stroke of luck and a calling. Inspired by the Jeep’s rich history and its association with McQueen, Fischer embarked on what would become a deeply personal and ambitious restoration project.
“It wasn’t just about restoring a car,” Fischer explains. “It was about bringing back a piece of Hollywood’s golden age, preserving McQueen’s legacy, and honoring the craftsmanship of an era.”
The restoration process was meticulous and exhaustive, spanning months of research, sourcing original parts, and painstakingly recreating every detail to match the CJ5’s original specifications. Fischer’s dedication to authenticity was unwavering—he poured over archives, consulted with experts, and meticulously documented every step of the journey.
“I wanted to make sure that every aspect of the restoration captured the essence of what the CJ5 meant to McQueen,” Fischer says. “From the bumper to the winch, every detail will be perfect.”
To authenticate the restoration further, Fischer reached out to Ali MacGraw herself. Her memories of the CJ5 and its significance to McQueen provided invaluable insights and added a personal touch to the project.
“Ali was incredibly generous with her time and memories,” Fischer recalls with gratitude. “Her stories not only guided the restoration process but also deepened my appreciation for the history behind the Jeep.”
The Legacy of Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen, often referred to as the “King of Cool,” left an indelible mark on Hollywood and beyond. Known for his intense charisma, rugged charm, and passion for speed, McQueen captivated audiences with iconic performances in films such as “Bullitt,” “The Great Escape,” and “The Magnificent Seven.” Beyond his on-screen persona, McQueen’s love for cars, motorcycles, and adventure defined him as a true enthusiast and a symbol of the American spirit.
The CJ5, with its distinctive design and rugged performance, became synonymous with McQueen’s persona—an extension of his adventurous soul and his commitment to authenticity both on and off the silver screen. From navigating rugged terrain to cruising the streets of Los Angeles, McQueen and his CJ5 were inseparable.
Nowadays it can be seen around downtown Bellevue with Anderson behind the wheel.
