Car Pictures

[Ruttman98]

1986 Lotus Indianapolis 500 project that never had an opportunity to run--remains the last time for a factory built effort.

 

[jgf]

In the mid sixties Paul Newman turned a stock '63 VW over to a race school in California. They fitted it with a 300hp Ford 351 V8 behind the seats under a leather cover, with a Mustang exhaust and a ZF transaxle with a GT40 shifter. The car "achieved such alarming speed that Newman’s handlers were relieved when he finally gifted the bomb back to the shop". It's been through several owners over the years; most recently auctioned, in 2011, for $250,000.

 

[MantrackerWRC]

Ford Focus WRC
Dani Sola
Rally Catalunya 2005

 

[Ruttman98]

David Freiburger's 1970 Jeep Wagoneer "DRAGoneer"

 

[Ruttman98]

1956 Plymouth two door hardtop--mild custom by Larry Watson

 

[jgf]

1995 Volvo 960

A typical Volvo wagon. Except ....Paul Newman liked Volvos (he was co-owner of a Volvo dealership in Massachusetts); he had three 960s custom built with a supercharged Ford 302, five speed gearbox, and tweaked suspension. Newman's was grey with a beige interior; a red one with beige interior was given to David Letterman (it has since been reupholstered in black); and the one above (navy blue with matching interior) was given to a friend, Dave Warburg. It is said Newman wanted an unobtrusive car that could outrun a Corvette.

The Warburg car was recently discovered in a used car lot in New Jersey, purchased for a fraction of its estimated value (only around $80k).

The Letterman car has been in the hands of a collector for several years

Newman's own car (valued in the $200k range) is believed to also be in a private collection.

In 1988 Newman had a Volvo 740 GLE with a Turbo V6 from a Buick GNX; this car was "auctioned" yearly with the proceeds going to charity.

In 2008 Newman's race team had a shop in Alabama build a 1998 Volvo V90 with a Corvette LS2 V8 as a gift for him. It is not known if he ever drove the "Volvette". It recently auctioned at Sotheby's for a mere $57K.