Steve Jobs’ BMW goes under the hammer

Million-dollar motors on sale alongside movie memorabilia

NEW YORK— A sleek sports car once owned by Steve Jobs could sell for more than $300,000 (U.S.) at a December auction — practically pocket change compared to some of the million-dollar vehicles that will be offered alongside it. The Apple founder’s 2000 BMW Z8 convertible is among about 30 sets of hot wheels that will be offered by a variety of consignors at the Dec. 6 sale in Manhattan.

Bidders at the RM Sotheby’s auction might steer toward a handsomely earth-toned 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pininfarina, which has a presale estimate of about $1.5 to $1.8 million. They’ll also have the chance to peruse a 1995 Porsche 911GT2, which has a presale estimate of $1.1 million.

But bidders may instead choose to geek out on Jobs’ former ride — a model that served as “a test bed for new engineering technologies,” said the auction house. “While not a car enthusiast per se,” Jobs did have “a penchant for German design.”

The tech genius got his BMW in October 2000 in the minimalist style he is known for — titanium over a black leather interior. He sold it about three years later. Although it’s changed hands a couple of times, it’s only clocked 24,460.89 kilometres.

The car comes with a copy of its old California registration, under the name “Jobs, Steven P.” It also comes with a hardtop, cover, manuals and a cellphone — ironically, a BMWbranded Motorola.

Out of garage space, but not out of bucks? A race suit and helmet worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 movie Le Mans are expected to sell for $400,000 to $500,000.