When it comes to celebrity car collections, most people think of flashy garages packed with modern hypercars or rows of vintage classics. But comedian and car enthusiast Adam Carolla has carved out his own lane by building what is arguably the greatest Paul Newman race car collection in the world. On the latest episode of Complex’s On Display, Carolla brings viewers inside the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada, where his prized race cars are showcased in tribute to Newman’s second career as a race car driver.
Paul Newman’s evolution from Oscar-winning actor to competitive racer has always been a fascinating story, and Carolla is one of the biggest champions of keeping that legacy alive. The collection spans from Newman’s early cars, where he began carving his way into the racing scene with Nissan, all the way to some of his most iconic Porsches. The star of the show is easily Newman’s Porsche 935 ‘Hawaiian Tropic’, a car so valuable it’s said to be worth close to $10 million today.
Throughout the episode, Carolla dives into the backstories that make these cars more than just rare rolling collectibles. He shares details about Newman’s grit behind the wheel and what made him a standout driver, even while balancing a career in Hollywood. There’s even a moment where Carolla recalls nearly wrecking the 935 himself on turn five at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway while behind the wheel. It’s Adam’s knowledge and passion that give fans more insight into the personalities and challenges that defined Newman’s racing years.
Spotlighting Paul Newman’s cars highlights a man who reinvented himself and proved his skill and passion on the track. With Carolla as the storyteller, the episode feels less like a museum tour and more like a shared appreciation of what racing meant to Newman, and why these cars deserve to be remembered. At the end of the day, what makes this collection so compelling isn’t just the high-dollar value of the cars or their connection to Newman’s fame, it’s the fact that someone like Adam Carolla has taken the time to preserve and share the story behind them.
Source: Complex YouTube