Dubbed the Volvette, this is a 1998 Volvo V90 with the heart of a 400hp Chevrolet Corvette going up for auction
One of Paul Newman’s Volvo wagons is set to hit the auction block. This one happens to feature Corvette V8 power thanks to the late actor’s racing team. It may end up being less expensive than one might guess based on its celebrity connection.
Newman is somewhat famous for his collection of souped-up Volvo wagons alone. Earlier this year we told you about a 1988 740 Turbo he modified with a Buick GNX engine, Borg-Warner five-speed manual transmission, and a host of suspension mods. In March of this year it changed hands for just $90,000.
This 1998 Volvo V90 hasn’t been modified that much, but it’s still a worthy addition to his collection, and possibly yours. It has a 6.0-liter Chevrolet LS2 V8 engine and a GM four-speed automatic transmission. To incorporate this, Newman’s racing team also included a custom driveshaft and minor modifications to the shifter linkage.
According to the listing, the wiring was addressed by an expert in the field so that no alarms or issues between the different systems were caused. Apparently, the front suspension features parts from a Porsche 911, although there is no clear indication of what parts these might be.
Aside from these modifications, this is an otherwise stock Volvo V90. This makes it one of the cutest of Newman’s bunch. It even has a sign on the dash that indicates its power and its relationship with the actor: “To PLN – This should get you to the grid in time. From the team.”
Comes with all relevant documentation, service records and even the original inline-six engine. Auction house RM Sotheby’s has a guidance for the rare Hollywood-linked Volvo of just $20,000-$25,000. To make it even more enticing, it is offered without reservation. However, as of this writing, the bidding is up to $40,000.
If one misses this find, there are other pieces of Newman’s history available. On May 27, Sotheby’s online auction High Speed: Paul Newman’s Racing Legacy kicked off with a series of notable pieces from his life and career.
