Image via Val Kilmer/Facebook
With the sad news of actor Val Kilmer’s passing, we’re here to remind everyone he was a gearhead just like us and so many others. While the man wasn’t necessarily known for his love of cars, he was more of an underground enthusiast. He didn’t own huge garages full of multi million dollar supercars, but he did thoroughly enjoy the rides he had. Here are the highlights.
These are Hollywood’s muscle car enthusiasts.
1969 Pontiac GTO
Back in 2015, Kilmer said on social media it was time to part ways with his Goat, a beautiful blue ’69 Pontiac GTO convertible. Saying he couldn’t bear to part ways with the classic, the actor explained he tried giving it to his son, but he returned the car because it was “not very practical” for the teen.
Kilmer explained he could no longer enjoy driving the old muscle car because the paparazzi knew it too well, ruining the sense of freedom he once experienced while behind the wheel.
The car reappeared for Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event looking a little different. The new owner did a frame-off rotisserie restoration, painting it black and giving it a fresh white interior. While the original engine and transmission were retained, it gained a 9-inch Ford rear axle, air ride suspension, custom wheels, and a new sound system.
Of course, the fact it had been owned by Kilmer was loudly trumpeted by the auction house, likely with the hope it would increase the top bid.
Porsche Panamera
Probably after selling his Pontiac GTO, Val Kilmer took to Facebook to praise a Porsche dealer in Palm Springs after he purchased a used Panamera from the business. That move surprised many because they just assume a movie star would drive something brand new and flashier.
But Kilmer also mentioned for pretty much his own life he owned trucks and used cars, so the man wasn’t into flashy. One he mentioned in depth was an old Volvo station wagon he said he “often… drove it like a turbocharged Porsche” blaming his father’s example of aggressive driving.
Plymouth Prowler
We don’t know much about this purple roadster, just that Kilmer was photographed with it before while running errands in Los Angeles. While some have praised the car for its retro-inspired design, others feel it fell short when it came to performance, the looks writing a check the six-cylinder engine couldn’t cash. Apparently, Kilmer enjoyed it enough to own one. We respect the man’s choice.
Lead image via Val Kilmer/Facebook
