Autoblog

Newman-Haas closing doors after nearly 30 years of racing

Zach Bowman — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Earnings/Financials, Racing

Storied racing team Newman-Haas has officially closed up shop. Despite finishing fourth in Indycar's overall driver standings in 2011, the team reportedly couldn't find the sponsorship necessary to continue operations. Founded in 1982 by actor Paul Newman and Carl Haas, the team racked up 107 wins and a total of eight championships. Legendary names like Mario and Michael Andretti and Christian Fittipaldi all spent time in the cockpit of Newman-Haas racecars. Despite a long and successful history, the team never managed to grab an Indianapolis 500 victory.

In a brief statement on the team's website, Haas said, "The economic climate no longer enables Newman/Haas Racing to participate in open wheel racing at this time."

Newman passed away in 2008, and Haas is said to be in poor health at the moment. Even so, the operation remained strong and likely could have continued to score wins well into the future with the proper funding. The loss of the team surprised many and will likely be a major blow to the IndyCar series moving forward.

Newman-Haas closing doors after nearly 30 years of racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Newman's mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Convertible, Volkswagen, Celebrities

This Volkswagen Beetle is priced to sell at $250,000. No, there's no typo in that figure. This 1963 VW Bug has celebrity ownership, as it once belonged to Mr. Paul Newman. Still not doing it for you at that price? Perhaps a peak under the hood will change your mind.

Paul Newman loved him some fast cars, and this '63 Beetle is no exception. Rather than stick with the old four-cylinder lump in the rear, Newman had IndyCar builder Jerry Eisert set out to turn the droptop bug into a super sleeper.

Eisert dropped a Ford 351 V8 into the middle of the Volkswagen. He added the five-speed ZF transmission (thought to have come from a Ford GT40), and the now-transformed Beetle was pushing out 300-horsepower. That's a whole lot of juice for this bantam-weight brawler. So much, in fact, that Newman's handlers advised him to sell the car before he got into serious trouble with it.

Paul Newman's Volkswagen Beetle Convertible sleeper is now up for sale, after receiving a full restoration. The seller wants $250,000 but is open to "serious offers." While we think 250 large is rather optimistic, there's no doubt this car has the potential to plaster permanent smiles on anyone who drives it. Check out OldBug.com for a look at the car's history.

Paul Newman's mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Ex-Newman 1987 Nissan 300ZX IMSA GTO racer

Zach Bowman — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Nissan, Celebrities, Racing

Paul Newman's 1987 Nissan 300ZX IMSA GTO Racecar - Click above for image gallery

Chances are, you've probably thought about what exactly you would buy if you had money bleeding out of every bodily orifice. Allow us to add another candidate to the list: Paul Newman's 1987 Nissan 300ZX IMSA racecar. Yes, that Paul Newman - the 24 Hours of Le Mans finisher and SCCA champion. Now, we know past ownership isn't reason enough to hand over $300,000, but that's just fine. This car packs a walloping 750 horsepower from a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The stock gearbox has been abandoned in favor of a Weismann five-speed, and the rear differential was replaced with a Stock Car Products piece. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Newman's Own Z, this car was campaigned throughout 1987, landing a best place finish of third place at the same time. The following year, it was handed over to Scott Sharp, in whose capable hands it managed to rack up a multitude of wins. The car has been restored since then, and has only competed in a total of four vintage races since work was completed. Of those, Newman's wicked Nissan managed to pull off three wins. Not too shabby. If you want it as badly as we do and have the means to procure it, the car is up for grabs on eBay Motors. Top tip, Ramin!

Gallery: Paul Newman's 1987 Nissan 300ZX IMSA GTO Racecar

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Ex-Newman 1987 Nissan 300ZX IMSA GTO racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Newman's car collection headed to auction

Chris Tutor — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Auctions, Celebrities

The will of actor and race car driver Paul Newman has been filed and read, revealing who gets the things he left behind. His wife, Joanne Woodward, get his Westport estate and art collection while his salad dressing business goes to the Newman's Own Foundation. That charitable organization also will get Newman's Oscar he won for his work in "The Color of Money."

But the thing we're most interested in, the man's collection of race cars, might go to you. If you're the highest bidder, that is. Newman's will orders that all his cars be sold at auction with the proceeds to be returned to his estate.

We can't find anything indicating when these cars might go on the block, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything. You can read the whole will online here.

[Source: The Associated Press via New York Daily News]

Paul Newman's car collection headed to auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Letterman remembers Paul Newman...and their V8 Volvos

Alex Nunez — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Volvo, Celebrities

In the wake of Paul Newman's passing just over a week ago, we've seen countless, wonderful tributes to the man written from different points of view. He's remembered as an actor, a colleague, a racer, and most importantly, a towering philanthropist. One of the best non-written remembrances, however, comes from the mouth of David Letterman, who paid respect to Newman in one of his monologues on The Late Show last week.

The whole thing's worth watching, but at around 3:45 in, Dave gets to the story about when Newman called him up one day and talked him into buying a custom Volvo wagon (a 960) with a supercharged Ford V8 underhood. You see, Newman was having one made and was very pumped up about it, so he asked if Dave wanted one, too. And you know, how do you say no to Paul Newman? Dave recounts the whole affair beautifully, and of course, it's also funny.

After you watch the clip, head over to Swedespeed, where in 2003 they profiled a third car just like the ones built for Newman and Letterman, with even more background about Newman's car and what went into the build. This is the very definition of "sleeper."

[Source: The Sheila Variations]

Letterman remembers Paul Newman...and their V8 Volvos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIP: Paul Newman 1925-2008

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:42:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities

Photo: prorallypix | License: Creative Commons 2.0

Actor, racer, philanthropist and all-around great human being Paul Newman has died. Newman was 83 years old and is believed to have been diagnosed with cancer in 2007. His acting career spanned more than half a century and included roles such as "Fast" Eddie Felson, Cool Hand Luke, and Louisiana Gov Earl Long among many, many others. His Newman's Own food line has raised more than $200 million for charity. His partnership with Carl Haas owning race teams in Can-Am and Indy Cars lasted over 25 years and Newman himself won countless races in various national and international classes. Last month, Newman, a longtime Connecticut resident, went out to Lime Rock Park to take some final laps in his Corvette. We'll miss you Paul! Thanks to Nick and George for the tips!

Update: Dahlia Lithwick wrote a fabulous obituary over on Slate.

[Various Sources]

RIP: Paul Newman 1925-2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Newman takes last laps at Lime Rock

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

In the world of Hollywood where so many people are vacuous prima donnas, Paul Newman is one of the great exceptions. He is considered one of the greatest American actors and one of the classiest human beings. However, after 83 years, the Newman era is drawing to a close. About 18 months ago, Newman was diagnosed with lung cancer and he's not expected to live past the end of September.

Many fans of his acting are not aware of Newman's nearly four-decade long involvement in motorsports. Over the years he has racked up a second place finish at the 24 hours of Le Mans and a GTS class victory at the 1995 Daytona 24 hours... at the age of 74. For the last 25 years he and Carl Haas have owned one of the most successful IndyCar/ChampCar teams of the era, as well. Off the track and sound stage he has also raised over $200 million for charity through the Newman's Own brand of foods.

On August 13, the Lime Rock Park race track near his Connecticut home shut down for a couple hours so that Newman could take a few final laps in his GT1 Corvette. The world will certainly be a poorer place with his passing. If you haven't watched The Hustler, The Sting, or Butch and Sundance recently, now's probably a good time to put them in your NetFlix queue. Thanks for the tip, Luke!

[Source: SpeedTV]

Paul Newman takes last laps at Lime Rock originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: "It's a Skyline. It's teriffic"

Alex Nunez — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Nissan

That's what Paul Newman says in the killer TV spot for the 1980 Skyline Turbo you see above. Widebodied, fast, and vicious-sounding, the race-prepped Skyline attacks Daytona like it owns the joint with Newman behind the wheel. Awesome, awesome stuff.

Anyway, we thought we'd put together a gallery of Nissan Skyline TV spots for you in honor of the latest version's JDM release. GT-R and otherwise, we've got you covered (including a couple of Aussie spots for the R31). Follow the jump and enjoy!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: "It's a Skyline. It's teriffic"

VIDEO: "It's a Skyline. It's teriffic" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Race car driver addresses senior driving question

Joel Arellano — Sat, 06 May 2006 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal

Louis "Topspeed" Albornoz, a professional Formula and kart driver, answered a reader's question if people over 65 years or older should be allowed to continuing driving. While Albornoz acknowledges older drivers have decreased capabilities like slower reflexes, he points out that such folks usually realize their new limitations and either turn in their license or stay in the slow lane. He writes that he'd rather share the roadways with the older set who follow the rules than the younger generation, who drive like "crazed idiots." Finally, Albornoz points to drivers such as actor Paul Newman continues to race professionally well into his 80's.

Related: Retirement to include driver's tests; What Would Grandpa Drive?; Aging Boomers changing face of automobile design; British speed camera nabs senior citizen]

[Source: Topspeed]

Race car driver addresses senior driving question originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 May 2006 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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