Metisse Steve McQueen Desert Racer - Specifications & Review

Company History

Métisse—French for “mongrel”—became synonymous with beautifully welded, nickel-plated frames that transformed ordinary engines into sublime handlers. The Rickman brothers’ chassis dominated scrambles and road racing in the 1960s, pairing light, rigid construction with high-quality fiberglass bodywork and disc-brake innovations. Riders dropped Triumph, BSA, and even Honda engines into Métisse frames to gain precision and composure on rough circuits. The brand later revived classic silhouettes with modern metallurgy and brakes, offering faithful tributes (including Steve McQueen–inspired desert sleds) that ride better than originals while preserving charm. Historically, Métisse proves how chassis craft can outshine horsepower: geometry, flex control, and component quality that make a familiar engine feel reborn. In the garage and on the grid, a Métisse is a masterclass in purposeful fabrication.