A sleeper Volvo wagon as soon as owned by actor and racing driver Paul Newman is being auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s.

This 1998 Volvo V90 is nicknamed “Volvette” as a result of it is powered by a Chevrolet LS2 6.0-liter V-8—the sort used within the C6 Corvette. Newman had commissioned two earlier engine-swapped Volvo wagons, however this third and remaining construct was a shock from his racing staff, who included a plaque on the dashboard. The wagon was given to Newman in 2007, however the actor died in 2008, so he did not get a lot probability to get pleasure from it.

Ex-Paul Newman 1998 Volvo V90 wagon (picture by way of RM Sotheby’s)

The small block V-8 is coupled to a Common Motors-sourced 4-speed automated transmission. The wagon’s rear-wheel drive format made it a really perfect candidate for a V-8 engine swap, however the inventory driveshaft nonetheless needed to be shortened. The inventory inline-6 and transmission are included with the sale.

Different modifications embrace an altered shift linkage to line up with the Volvo heart console, reworked wiring, and a modified entrance suspension. The latter might have included some Porsche 911 parts, in keeping with RM Sotheby’s, whereas the rear suspension remained inventory. In line with Newman’s style, the outside was left inventory apart from a customized rear badge studying “V06.”

Ex-Paul Newman 1998 Volvo V90 wagon (picture by way of RM Sotheby’s)

Certainly one of Newman’s different modified Volvo wagons was a 960 with a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 from a Ford Mustang. Newman satisfied pal and fellow celeb automobile fanatic David Letterman to purchase one as properly, and it was featured on “Comedians in Vehicles Getting Espresso” with Jerry Seinfeld.

Previous to that, Newman had the turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 from a Buick Grand Nationwide stuffed into the engine bay of a 1988 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon. Additionally sporting a 5-speed guide transmission from a Pontiac Firebird, this automobile offered for $80,740 on Deliver a Trailer earlier this yr.

The public sale for the “Volvette” ends on June 13. RM Sotheby’s had an preliminary estimate of $20,000-$25,000, however the present bidding sits at $40,000 with loads of time to go.