Steve McQueen's Secret Airport Hangar Hideaway

Steve McQueen, the iconic 'King of Cool,' sought refuge from Hollywood's glare at a remote airport hangar near Santa Paula. This private retreat, located an hour and a half from Los Angeles, became a sanctuary for his passion for automobiles and a personal escape from Tinseltown.

Within this unusual car haven, McQueen housed remarkable vehicles like his 1956 Jaguar XKSS, the 'Green Rat,' derived from a victorious Le Mans race car. He also kept a more subdued 1952 Hudson Wasp, a testament to American automotive history. The airport offered McQueen the quiet solitude he craved, a stark contrast to his public persona.

This peaceful oasis at Santa Paula Airport also attracted other celebrities like Cliff Robertson, Leonard Nimoy, Gene Hackman, and Harrison Ford, drawn by its discretion. McQueen and his wife even resided in the hangar for a period, enjoying the local anonymity and the protection offered by Santa Paula's residents against intrusive paparazzi.