Adam Carolla, known for his unique blend of humor and insights, reveals a deeply personal connection to his extraordinary Paul Newman car collection, a journey that began from humble roots and blossomed into a multi-million-dollar homage to a legendary figure. Growing up in a self-described "vacuum of things" due to poverty and a lack of familial passions, Carolla developed a keen appreciation for tangible objects, a drive that later led to an "overcompensated" passion for collecting. His early career as a carpenter honed his mechanical sensibilities, establishing him as a "gear head" with an initial affinity for Datsun race cars, a popular choice for hot rodding in the San Fernando Valley during the mid-80s. It was only after achieving success in show business and starting to acquire vintage Datsun race cars that a recurring detail began to emerge: many of them had been driven by Paul Newman. Initially, this was just a "cool" footnote, as "no one really cared that much that Paul Newman drove the cars," which were often "old broken-down race cars that need to be fixed up". However, after accumulating two, three, then four Newman-associated vehicles, Carolla had a profound realization: he was no longer just a Datsun collector, but a dedicated Paul Newman collector.
Carolla deeply admires Newman not only as a racer but as a "Renaissance man," a "great philanthropist and a great artist," representing a "bygone era". He paints a vivid picture of Newman as a man who eschewed modern wellness trends, preferring instead to smoke a cigarette, drink a beer, and then "kick ass on a racetrack". Newman’s foray into racing led him to his home track, Limerock in Connecticut, where he would race Datsuns. Datsun soon noticed Newman’s involvement, leading to their increased sponsorship and providing bigger cars and more resources, cementing the iconic partnership between Newman and Datsun, which later evolved into Nissan. Beyond the thrill of acquisition, Carolla derives immense satisfaction from the meticulous restoration process of these historic vehicles. He emphasizes the dedication required, stating that restorers gather and study "as many pictures as you can find," poring over them for "weird little colors and stuff," even when dealing with challenging black and white images. He recounts a fascinating anecdote about a photograph of Newman at Road Atlanta after winning a production championship, depicting a car with "seven people stuffed in this car," including Newman's daughter, a stark contrast to today's stringent safety regulations. While some cars require extensive mechanical overhauls, others might simply need a fresh coat of paint to return to their former glory.
Related article - Uphorial Radio
The pinnacle of Carolla’s collection, his "holy grail," is the Porsche 935, acquired in 2016. This car held particular significance as it featured prominently in a documentary Carolla produced on Newman’s racing career, specifically focusing on Newman’s participation in the prestigious Le Mans race. Witnessing footage of Newman climbing into the car and navigating the Molsanne straightaway at Le Mans ignited an unyielding desire in Carolla: "Oh man, I have to have my hands on that car, my god". The car’s location was initially unknown, but it appeared at auction a year or two after the documentary's completion. Carolla was prepared to pay "a lot" for it, even selling other cars and taking out a loan to secure it. The value of this particular Porsche has since "tremendously" increased, underscoring Carolla’s foresight. The car itself has led an extraordinary life, having been flown to New York to be displayed at an auction house alongside Newman's famed Rolex watch, and later to Chichester, England, leading Carolla to speculate it has "probably flown more than it's driven".
Carolla is not merely a collector; he is also a racer, taking his prize possessions to the track. He recounts a dramatic incident at Laguna Seca while pushing the Porsche 935 to its limits, describing how he "just got on it like right out," leading to the car leaning out, snapping, and sending him "down the track backwards about like 110 mph". This exhilarating, yet humbling, experience solidified his unique bond with the vehicles. He maintains strict control over who drives his cars, asserting, "I'm the only one who drives this car," though he would make an exception for fellow car enthusiast Jay Leno. He humorously notes the tight fit of racing seats, quipping that they "humble you a little bit," especially when compared to Newman's lighter physique. Among his other cherished vehicles is Newman's "winningest car," a humble 200 SX, a "four banger with like 13-inch rims" that won an astounding "22 out of 24 races". Carolla’s collection includes three of Newman's four national championship cars, and he still harbors a fervent desire to acquire the fourth: a C production Z-car sponsored by Budweiser, which would complete his set.
The financial value of his collection is complex, as "race cars are different and weird" and "don't really have comps," making precise estimation difficult. However, Carolla acknowledges it's worth "millions of dollars" and likely "more than I paid" for most of the cars, especially since vintage racing has grown in popularity since his initial purchases. He contrasts this with the watch market, noting that Newman’s Rolex sold for millions, and wishes for more "cross-pollination" between watch and car collectors. Yet, Carolla’s connection to his cars transcends monetary value. He deeply misses them now that they are displayed in a museum, recalling days spent alone in his warehouse, simply sitting, staring, and drinking a beer with them. He considers himself a "custodian" of these machines, emphasizing the importance of their restoration, archival research, and the act of showing and running them. These cars, he believes, spark "good stories" from people who remember seeing Newman race them. While he playfully suggests a "fiery wreck" as an ending for himself and the 935, his more serious hope is that whoever inherits the collection will continue this custodianship, though he suspects they might "sell it immediately". Carolla's journey to this impressive collection was incremental, a testament to his persistent passion, as he often pinches himself, reflecting on how he went from a construction site to acquiring one Paul Newman car, then another, ultimately building a legacy that encapsulates a remarkable era of racing history.
