by Unique race car with a Hollywood history
Race cars with a genuine Hollywood story rarely appear at auctions, but this example combines both qualities. Roush has decided to part with more than a dozen cars from its American collection, and this 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra race car holds one of the most prestigious spots on the list. Behind the wheel of this IMSA GTS-1 class car sat the legendary Paul Newman, making it a potential highlight of a museum display or, with a sufficient budget, a return to the track on race day.
How did Paul Newman end up behind the wheel of this Ford?
This car was built specifically for the 1995 “24 Hours of Daytona” race. A month prior, Newman’s film “Nobody’s Fool” was released in theaters. It seems Paramount Studios had leftover funds in their marketing budget, so they sponsored this car, adding graphics to promote the film.
Newman himself often participated in various motorsport series when not acting in films. He competed in the 1974 “24 Hours of Le Mans,” finishing second behind the wheel of a Porsche 935. For the 1995 “24 Hours of Daytona,” he teamed up with Tommy Kendall, Mark Martin, and Michael Brockman. Together in this Mustang Cobra, they won the GTS-1 class, despite Newman being 70 years old at the time.
Covered in 31-year-old grime
After the race, the car was displayed at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Daytona Beach, Florida, and was fitted with spare body panels. Notably, the original panels used during the grueling 24-hour marathon were carefully preserved. They were later reinstalled on the car, leaving the dirt, scratches, and wear marks from 31 years ago intact.
Technical specifications and power
Under the hood, this Ford is equipped with a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine built by Roush, paired with a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. At the time, the car produced around 750 horsepower, an impressive figure even today. Without any safety systems, driving it is likely both thrilling and terrifying, even for five minutes, let alone 24 hours.
If you want to add a winning race car, driven by a Hollywood legend, to your collection, this lot is worth considering.
This car is not just a race car but a true artifact, combining two eras: classic 90s American motorsport and the golden age of Hollywood. The fact that the original body panels retain traces of an actual race makes it especially valuable for collectors who value authenticity. The sale of such a lot by Roush indicates that even the most famous collections sometimes need updating, and for the buyer, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of history that can still unleash 750 horsepower on the track.
