Paul Newman's V8 Volvo Station Wagon

Polished Platform

Mr. Newman’s weapon of choice for building a potent sleeper was the Volvo 960, which has the benefit of an independent rear suspension. The suspension system improves handling due to the way it precisely controls the tire’s contact patch with the road when properly engineered. When adding power to any machine, the chassis must be sorted if the car is to be predictable. He started with a great base in this sense, which is key. 

5 Liter Heart

Pumping gasoline through the Volvo’s veins is a Ford 5.0-liter engine that outputs roughly 400 horsepower according to David Letterman, who asked Newman for his own V8 station wagon. A supercharger was the choice of forced induction to improve throttle response while making reliable horsepower—just like a wagon should. According to Paul, the car would “chew anybody’s ass from 20-100mph.” 

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Beyond Bolt On

V8 swaps are common and so are superchargers. What isn’t as common is someone going through the trouble to make sure things are done right. Internally balancing an engine, or blueprinting as it is commonly referred to, is a crucial part of any reliable build. Paul Newman was a racer at heart, which means time was taken to ensure this was a properly built engine—the cylinder heads were even made from aluminum to save weight and improve handling. Proper attention to detail. 

image courtesy of thesamba.com

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Cutting Edge

At the time of this car's construction, the suspension system was advanced enough that there weren’t readily available upgrades. The aftermarket was also smaller than it is now. As such, the entire system was a custom affair, with heavy input from IPD and TME in the sway bar and spring department. Both of these companies have come to be synonymous with Volvo tuning with products that work. Newman knew who to partner with when it came to quality parts. 

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Ultimate in Cool

Paul Newman was a real racing driver that held his own as a national championship driver and businessman alike. This car is a reflection of his genuine passion for modifying cars to go fast and perform without all the excessive frills that exotic cars like Ferrari or Lamborghini rely on. A true reflection of hot rodding at its finest and a hell of a build, this car is the epitome of a cool sleeper.

image courtesy of kinja-img.com