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HomeMediaPaul Walker's star-power sells cars at a premium

Paul Walker’s star-power sells cars at a premium

His contributions to car culture were remarkable -- so were the prices of some of his middle-tier cars

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Four of the Paul Walker Collection cars went across the block Thursday at Barrett-Jackson, and got a premium at the hammer, proving that star-power provenance matters. A tuned 2009 Nissan 370Z, a 1989 Nissan R32 Skyline track car, a 1995 Eddie Bauer Edition Ford Bronco and a 1967 Nova custom coupe did far better than similar non-Walker cars offered.

Hammer price for the 370Z | Tom Stahler photo

Walker was killed November 30, 2013 with friend Roger Rodas. The two were enjoying a joy ride in Rodas’ Porsche Carerra GT. Rodas lost control of the car in an industrial park in Santa Clarita, California, and hit a light pole. Neither survived after the impact and subsequent fire. Like James Dean before him, Walker attained posthumous Hollywood legend status as the freak accident robbed the world of a talented and kind star.

The 370Z, which appeared in the fifth installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise hammered at $96,000. While not driven by Walker in the film, it was essentially an “extra,” and was later bought by Walker. Certainly Walker’s name attached to a tuner such as this has enough provenance to justify the extra money for a car that can be bought for less than half the hammer price.

The R32 Skyline is easily identifiable with the tuner and drifting crowd. Considering that another Skyline went across the block and sold for $40,000, the $91,000 that the Walker car fetched again proved that provenance ruled the day. The stripped, roll-bar clad track weapon was a fair example and clearly had been minimized without regard to esthetics. One would certainly hope this car finds its way to the track soon, as intended.

Walker’s Ford Bronco | Tom Stahler photo

Ford Broncos from the 1990s are nice SUVs. Not $61,000 nice though. While in very nice condition, this particular vehicle is rather understated. The story is that Walker drove the car around town near his home in Santa Barbara, California. The new owner must want to feel that Walker wasn’t always drifting through corners with his pants on fire everyday. He still went to the grocery store and doctor appointments and drove his kids around. This car reminds us of that side of the star.

The 1967 Nova was a very nice car. Muscle cars, particularly restomods are doing very well. Walker’s Nova custom was initially powered by an LS1; that engine was removed and replaced with a GM 5.3-liter V8 engine that is mated to an automatic transmission. It sold for a healthy $60,500.

The rest of the Walker Collection, which includes BMW M3 Lightweights and an E30 M3 Evolution, are set to cross the block over the next couple of days.

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Tom Stahler
Tom Stahler
Tom Stahler is the Managing Editor of the ClassicCars.com Journal. Tom has a lifelong love of cars and motor racing – beginning with the 1968 USRRC race at Road America, in a stroller, at eight months of age. His words, photos and broadcasts can can be found on a myriad of media. He has won the Motor Press Guild’s Dean Batchelor Award and a Gold Medal in the International Automotive Media Awards.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Just an FYI, that isn’t a Ford Explorer. It’s a Ford Bronco. I would have thought that someone there would know the difference and done some research before posting the article.

  2. I have to say…. in the paragraph about Paul’s Bronco, you mentioned that maybe the new owner wanted to feel that Paul wasn’t always “drifting around corners like his pants were on fire”. As the managing editor, you of all people should realize the poor taste in that comment considering the the circumstances of his untimely and horrific death. Seriously, wtf is wrong with you?!?! Dear, Lord!

    • Hi JK:
      I grew up around motorsport. “with your pants on fire” is an old saying. It does not refer to crashing, but actually going fast. As you point out, perhaps it wasn’t the best choice of words, considering Paul’s demise. But to be frank, I really wasn’t thinking in those terms, that someone out there might be overly sensitive. I am sorry you feel that way as my words in this scenario were not intended to hurt or shock anyone. Generally my readers know when that intention is clear. Thanks for being a reader. I most certainly take your words to heart.

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