The iconic 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross owned and ridden by Hollywood star Steve McQueen is set to make a rare UK appearance at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Staffordshire County Showground on October 15-16.

Owner Chris Dean said: “The Husky is preserved as last ridden by McQueen, complete with dents, scratches and his spare spark plug duct taped to the frame. The signatures of McQueen’s son Chad and his friend Bud Ekins – the famous stunt rider for the film The Great Escape – appear on the bike.”

It was bought by McQueen during the filming of On Any Sunday and four of the film’s other stars will be at the Stafford show too – Dave Aldana, Don Emde, Mert Lawwill and Gene Romero.

Husqvarnas featured heavily in On Any Sunday, putting the Swedish company firmly on the map for riders in the US and around the world. The 400 Cross was a brutal, unforgiving motorcycle, difficult to ride well, but McQueen proved he was capable of handling it, riding his own machine.

Frame number MI3845 was owned by the acting icon until his death in 1980 and is the best known of all McQueen’s Huskys. It was sold at the Steve McQueen Estate Auction in Las Vegas, Nevada, passing through three subsequent owners before being acquired by the current owner two years ago in California.