Unless you live under a rock, you likely have heard of Robert Downey, Jr. He’s a billionaire, philanthropist, playboy… no wait… that’s his alter ego Tony Stark aka Iron Man, a role from which Downey retired after 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
Now that he’s done with Marvel blockbusters, RDJ spends his time rebuilding antique and classic cars on TV and promoting the Footprint Coalition, a non-profit he co-founded to help “create a world of sustainable abundance.”
You may be thinking that old cars and sustainable abundance are on opposite sides of the spectrum, and they are, unless, of course, you’re building those old cars to be more environmentally friendly through the use of modern technology. That’s the premise of the MAX TV show ‘Downey’s Dream Cars‘.
If you didn’t guess from the title, ‘Downey’s Dream Cars‘ is hosted by Robert Downey, Jr. and follows builders from around the United States as they rebuild and resto-mod cars from Downey’s collection with improvements to make them more efficient while, at the same time, working to keep them as original as possible.
What’s great about the show is that it’s not just a lecture on converting all old cars into EVs, but rather a thought-provoking exploration of how even classics can be enhanced with more powerful and efficient modern drivetrains. Some of the modifications showcased on the show include an El Camino powered by a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder Chevy Silverado engine, a biodiesel-swapped Mercedes-Benz 280SE, and a Chevy LS-powered 1966 Buick Riviera with a roof-mounted Aclima sensor to help monitor and map air pollution. Of course, there are a few EV conversions in the group including a 1972 Volkswagen Bus, a 1972 Chevy K10, and a 1965 Corvette Stingray Convertible.
If you plan to attend the 2024 New York Auto Show, you’ll have a chance to check out the cars in person that were featured on the show. FYI, it may be the last time to do so, since the entire collection is being raffled off to benefit the Footprint Coalition. Be sure to stop by and enter to win. Alternatively, if you can’t attend, you can enter to win online, by visiting the RDJ Dream Cars website.
Here’s a look at the collection on display at the 2024 NYIAS
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