Steve's Porsche 911S

Remember the opening scene of the movie "Le Mans" starring Steve McQueen? Steve opens the movie driving through the French countryside in his personal Porsche 911 S, reliving his tragic accident in the race the year before.

Last weekend Steve's car was auctioned at Pebble Beach. As my dad would have said, they were only looking for 2 (bidders). Steve's ownership coupled with the lingering scent of Ali MacGraw's cologne in the passenger seat drove 2 hungry oligarchs to play chicken at an auction. The prior owner won.

Steve's 911 S, changed hands for US $1,350,000. A record for 911's. Anyone else's 911S wouldn't make $50,000.

With thanks to The Hornet

Toad

The Woman who made "The Godfather"

Longwing started it.

For much of the past month he has been rummaging through his mother's family photos, publishing his mother and aunts photos of their late 60's, early 70's selves.

Beautiful preppy girls at the apogee of preppydom. Eye candy for men of a certain age. Ten, maybe 15 years before Longwing's birth.

For all his great shots, he has missed the most important icon of the era. Tomorrow's birthday girl. Alice Macgraw.

Ali had the misfortune of attending the Farrah Fawcett school of acting. She did other things, but is known for only one movie. It made her and broke her.

I read that book Christmas Day, 1970. I was in Air Force basic training, and a paperback was one of the few things from home we were allowed to keep. It was ages before I saw the movie. Thank goodness Jenny didn't survive to see the sequel.


Love Story producer Robert Evans fell for her instantly, and she quickly became his 3rd. wife. He pushed her to make a movie with Steve McQueen, which she didn't want to do. She and Steve were instantly inseparable. Ali became the love of Steve McQueen's life. They were oil and water.



Obviously, I don't know Ali, but do know several women who do. It's widely held that she is one of the most generous, kind hearted women you are ever likely to meet. She was and is gorgeous.

So how did she make "The Godfather"? Paramount Studios was weeks away from closing their doors forever when Ali's big movie was released for Christmas 1970. It made so much money, so quickly, Paramount stayed open. Production of the Godfather began in the spring of 1971, all because love means never having to say your sorry.

If you must know, however ungallant, look up her year of birth. I was stunned.

Toad