Paul Newman’s Mustang Sold for $935,000 in Nashville
A 1995 Ford Mustang driven to a class victory by Paul Newman topped the Mecum Nashville 2026 auction results.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Car Culture
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A historic 1995 Ford Mustang driven by legendary actor and racer Paul Newman sold at auction for $935,000. It was the highest-priced vehicle sold during the Mecum Nashville 2026 event.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the enduring collector appeal of vehicles tied to both motorsport history and Hollywood icons. This specific car remains a significant artifact for its successful performance in the 1995 Rolex Daytona 24 Hours.
The Roush Racing-built vehicle features a 6.0-liter V8 engine delivering 750 horsepower. Its original body panels were recently reunited with the chassis after three decades of separation.
The players
Paul Newman
He was a renowned American actor and professional race car driver who achieved significant success in sports car racing.
Roush Racing
This organization is a major American automotive engineering and professional racing company founded by Jack Roush.
Mecum Auctions
It is a prominent American auction house specializing in the sale of collector cars, vintage motorcycles, and road art.
The details
The race car achieved a class win at the 1995 Rolex Daytona 24 Hours with Paul Newman behind the wheel at age 70. Following its racing career, the car was famously displayed at the Daytona Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Timeline
1985: Jack Roush began preparing Mustangs for IMSA GTO competition.
1995: The car won its class at the Daytona 24 Hours.
2026: The car sold at the Mecum Nashville auction.
Roadmap
The high valuation of Newman's Mustang reflects a broader shift where provenance-heavy race cars are becoming the centerpiece of automotive investment portfolios. This sale underscores the growing market divide between mass-produced classics and purpose-built machines that hold verifiable historical race wins.
For classic car buyers, this sale reinforces the immense value placed on verified historical race participation and original component restoration. It suggests that specialized, racing-proven vehicles will continue to command premium prices relative to standard performance models at major auctions.
The takeaway
Collectors should prioritize verifying the authenticity of race-worn body panels and chassis history to ensure long-term asset appreciation. Authenticated provenance remains the most critical factor for investment-grade performance vehicles.
Further reading
Explore more classic vehicle sales on the Car Culture page.
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