If you thought Paul Newman was just a Hollywood icon, think again. The man was a genuine racing legend, and the car that proved it at the 1995 Rolex 24 At Daytona is now heading to auction this fall. For collectors, motorsport fans, and anyone who appreciates the intersection of celebrity and raw racing history, this is as good as it gets.
Paul Newman’s Ford Mustang Cobra Auction Overview
| Detail | Info |
| Auction House | Mecum |
| Event | Mecum Nashville 2026 |
| Sale Date | Saturday, September 26, 2026 |
| Pre-Sale Estimate | Not yet released |
What Is This Car?
This is the Ford Mustang Cobra that Paul Newman raced and won with at the 1995 Rolex 24 At Daytona, now rolling across the auction block and giving collectors a rare shot at owning a genuine piece of Hollywood and motorsport history.
The story behind it is just as compelling as the car itself. Roughly a month before the race, Newman’s film Nobody’s Fool had hit theaters, and distributor Paramount funneled leftover marketing money into sponsoring an endurance entry. The result turned out to be far more than a marketing exercise.
Who Drove It?
The Roush Racing Mustang Cobra was shared by Newman, Tommy Kendall, Mark Martin, and Michael Brockman. Rather than simply making headlines for celebrity involvement, the team delivered where it mattered. The car took the GTS-1 class win and finished third overall.
Paul Newman’s Racing Career: A Quick Look
Newman’s involvement in motorsport was no weekend hobby. He caught the bug while preparing for the 1969 film Winning and never let it go, competing in Sports Car Club of America events through the 1970s, finishing second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978, and even claiming pole position at his final professional start in 2007, just a year before he passed away.
The Daytona win in 1995 sits at the top of that career timeline. Newman was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest man, at 70, to ever win the 24 Hours of Daytona. That detail alone makes this car historically significant beyond the usual collector car conversation.
What Does the Car Look Like Now?
The Mustang looks much as it did on that Florida weekend more than three decades ago. It still wears its white livery, the “Nobody’s Fool” branding, and the number 70, a nod to Newman’s 70th birthday, which he had just celebrated.
Even more remarkably, the authenticity goes deeper than just the paint. While the car received fresh body panels for display after the race, it has since been reunited with its original, dirt-caked components.
Key Features of the Car
| Feature | Detail |
| Engine | Naturally aspirated 6.0-litre Roush-built V8 |
| Gearbox | Five-speed manual |
| Power Output | Approximately 750 horsepower |
| Race Number | 70 |
| Livery | White with Nobody’s Fool branding |
| Class Result | GTS-1 class win |
| Overall Finish | Third overall |
When new, the engine was reported to make somewhere around 750 horsepower, well over 500 more than the street-going Mustang Cobra offered that same year. That gap alone illustrates just how purpose-built this machine was for endurance competition.
What Will It Sell For?
Mecum has not released a pre-sale estimate, but given the car’s competition success and Newman’s enduring star power, it should command serious money when it crosses the block.
Newman’s connection to collector items consistently drives extraordinary results at auction. His personal Rolex Daytona, for context, sold for $17,752,500 at Phillips’ inaugural New York auction in 2017 following a 12-minute bidding war. While a race car operates in a different market entirely, the name attached to this Mustang carries genuine weight.
Where and When to Watch the Auction?
The Mustang goes under the hammer at Mecum’s Nashville 2026 auction on Saturday, September 26. Collectors and fans can track the listing directly through Mecum’s official auction calendar ahead of the event.
For anyone who grew up watching Newman on screen or following his racing career, this represents a genuinely rare opportunity to own something that sits at the crossroads of two remarkable careers lived at full speed.
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