A couple of years ago the Porsche 917 that starred in the film Le Mans sold for a blockbusting $14m. If that seems a bit rich – but you still hanker after some Steve McQueen automobilia – then perhaps a more modest dune buggy is more up your street.

Bonhams is selling the Myers Minx in which McQueen took co-star Faye Dunaway for a white-knuckled ride in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair. Developed by Bruce Meyers, the fibreglass-bodied dune buggy quickly became the embodiment of the cool, open-air California lifestyle set to a Beach Boys soundtrack.

Typically, however, McQueen had this version modded for the film. “I helped them design it, so I’m kinda proud of that,” he is quoted as saying. “It’s set on a Volkswagen chassis with big ol’ wide tires on mag wheels, Corvair engine in the back… It’s very light, you know. It’s pulling about 230 horses and weighs about a thousand pounds.”

The Buggy will be sold at the Bonhams’ annual Amelia Island, Florida auction next March.