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Understanding Aftermarket Aero OptionsArnold Schwarzenegger’s Car Collection
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a great taste for cars. Check out the action star’s extensive garage of vehicles!The World’s Most Famous Action Movie Star
Arnold Schwarzeneggar is a pop culture phenom due to both his physical appearance and his unique Austrian accent. The decorated body builder rose to fame through the Mr. Universe Championships and spun that into a successful career as an action movie star. His filmography is expansive, including movies like Predator, Commando, and Total Recall. Of course, Schwarzeneggers most iconic role came as a time travelling killing machine in The Terminator franchise.
Schwarzenegger is still keeping up his action movie status through projects like the Expendables and commercials poking fun at his typecast persona, but he’s also added accomplished politician to his resume. The former “Governator” of California helped pave the way for hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the state and has been vocal about finding alternatives to gasoline. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a fan of a good classic car though. In fact, his collection has some vehicles that are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to being fuel conscious.
We’re checking out the extensive car collection of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which includes some decommissioned military vehicles that are almost too fitting for the Austrian action star.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Military Inspired Vehicles
When you’ve been in as many action movies as Schwarzenegger, you’ve got to have the right vehicle to suit your on-screen persona. Arnold has been a lover of military styled vehicles and was actually one of the driving forces that encouraged General Motors to introduce the civilian version of the U.S. Military’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle – better known as the Humvee. General Motors followed through and handed the action star the first Hummer H1 as a publicity stunt in 1991. Since that debut, he’s been synonymous with the Hummer ever since. While a good portion of his military inspired vehicle collection is comprised of Hummers, there are several other war focused rides in his garage too.
Military-Spec Hummer H1
First up is Schwarzenegger’s rag-topped, olive drab green Hummer H1 truck that he can typically be seen driving around with the doors removed. This Hummer has no frills and is very spartan inside, much like the early Humvees that the military had actually used during conflicts.
Hummer H1 Slant back
The H1 Slant back in Schwarzenegger’s possession is a rare representation of the early Hummer H1 models. The H1 typically came in the form of a four-door truck or SUV, but there were a few obscure models like the two-door truck and this Slant back example. The Slant back design is closer to the typical Humvee examples used by the military, so Schwarzenegger made sure to add military styled components and paint it beige to look like it’s ready to battle in the desert. What’s different about Arnold’s though is the name “Terminator” over the rear fenders.
Military-Spec Dodge M37
The M37 was Dodge’s military production vehicle during the Korean War. It’s closest civilian counterpart would have been the Dodge Power Wagon, but Schwarzenegger’s M37 truck is a true decommissioned example. He had the military cargo truck fully restored to its former glory and looks virtually just as it had during the 1950s.
M47 Patton Tank
Possibly one of Schwarzenegger’s most prized vehicles in his possession is his M47 Patton Tank. Yes, a decommissioned Cold War era tank. It’s actually the same model tank that the action star used for training during his mandatory service in the Austrian National Army. Schwarzenegger posts videos of him cruising around in the Chrysler V12 engined tank and crushing cars at his California compound occasionally, but he also uses it for public outreach too. His After-School All-Stars Program gives disadvantaged students a chance to drive the tank if they stay in school.
The Rest of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Car Collection
The Other Hummers
At one point, Arnold Schwarzenegger owned seven different variations of the Hummer. These hulking street beasts achieved a lowly fuel economy of about 10 mpg, leading the then Governor of California to reconsider his collection. He’s sold a majority of his Hummers and has introduced fuel conscious versions of his favorite model.
Through an effort with General Motors, Schwarzenegger introduced the California public to some of the first hydrogen fueling stations by pulling up in a hydrogen powered Hummer H2. It utilized the supercharged version of the model’s 6.0L V8 engine that could run on compressed hydrogen.
Schwarzenegger has also taken to making ecofriendly Hummers himself. He modified one of his Hummer H1 models to run on clean burning vegetable oil. He later added the first ever electrified Hummer to his garage. These alternative fuel systems allow Schwarzenegger to still feel the heft and attitude these militaristic vehicles present while being ecofriendly at the same time.
Mercedes-Benz Unimog
Another street behemoth that Schwarzenegger once owned is the Mercedes-Benz Unimog. This giant cargo truck sporting 45-inch tires was originally engineered for agricultural use over in Europe. However, it was used in military applications too, helping garner Schwarzenegger’s interest in the vehicle. His example was far from military-spec and was more of a fun cargo truck that fit his macho lifestyle. The Unimog’s power came from a 6.4L inline six-cylinder turbodiesel unit that pumped out 315 horsepower. The action star/former governor put the giant vehicle up for sale twice, 2014 and 2016, before anyone would bite on its $350,000 price tag. It came with his autograph on the dashboard for that price at least.
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
One of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s daily drivers while launching his career in Hollywood was a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. The luxury convertible was kept in top shape by the movie star as he drove around the Los Angeles area for appearances and film shoots. A classy ride for an up-and-coming star back in the day.
1982 Excalibur Phaeton Series IV
The Excalibur was a neoclassical car builder led by designer Brooks Stevens out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started out in 1963 by taking Studebaker chassis and transforming them into something that looked similar to 1920s era Mercedes-Benz models like the SSK. Arnold picked up a 1982 Excalibur Phaeton Series IV, a model run celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary. Only 38 Phaeton examples were produced between 1981 and 1984, making Schwarzenegger’s car quite the rarity.
Dodge Challenger SRT8
When Dodge announced the revival of their Challenger muscle car, Schwarzenegger was one of the first in line. He picked up a Dodge Challenger SRT8 carrying a 470-horsepower 6.4L V8, a modern muscle car that perfectly compliment a man known for his muscles.
Porsche 997 Turbo Carbriolet
Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t just interested in American-made vehicles, he’s also got some European makes in his garage. The first is his Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet. The German sports car is capable of a 3.4 second 0-60 mph time and is ideal for cruises with the top down along the California coast.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
Another German car in his collection is his Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. While Schwarzenegger doesn’t get the iconic gullwing doors, he does get to drop the top as he speeds down the street in what Mercedez-Benz claimed was “the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated production series engine.”
Bently Arnage
Schwarzenegger is also fond of the British manufacturer Bentley. One of his three Bentleys is the Arnage. This luxury full-size sedan is one of the less popular Bentley models having only been produced between 1999 and 2010. The model carries a BMW sourced M62 V8 engine paired with a Cosworth twin-turbo setup making this unassuming luxury car a bit of a sleeper.
Bently Continental GTC
The second Bentley in Schwarzenegger’s possession is a Continental GTC. The convertible luxury car is another one of his daily drivers that he can be seen driving around Los Angeles streets. It’s nice, but it’s his third car from the automaker that’s the best of the bunch.
Bently Continental GT SuperSports Convertible
A blacked-out Bentley Continental GT SuperSports Convertible with a red leather upholstery is Arnold’s final Bently in his garage. The most impressive thing about this model, aside from it’s over $300,000 price tag, is its unique 6.0L 12-cylinder W-type engine that pumps out 621 horsepower.
Bugatti Veyron
Another awesome car that Schwarzenegger enjoys with the roof gone is his Bugatti Veyron. This car is exceedingly expensive, luxurious, and fast. Powering this supercar is a quad-turbocharged 8.0L W16 generating 987 horsepower. Unfortunately, Schwarzenegger let go of this beauty for an eye watering $2.5 million dollar price tag with as little as 1,000 miles on the odometer.
Tesla Roadster
The original Tesla Roadster was essentially a Lotus Elise that had been given an electrified powertrain. Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the company’s early adopters of their electric vehicles. His support for electric vehicles hasn’t wavered since, but his association with Tesla isn’t nearly as close as he’s adopted another electrification brand for his cars.
KREISEL Electric G500
KREISEL is a producer of high-voltage, lithium-ion battery systems that can be utilized for different use cases. They’ve showcased the potential for electric powered commercial equipment, marine craft, agriculture, and domestic vehicles. One such example has been promoted by Schwarzenegger as a promising glimpse at the future of electrification through KREISEL. The KREISEL Electric G500 may just be a Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV with its engine swapped for various batteries and electric motors but it’s a great example of how electrifying everyday cars can be made easy.
