The massive folding door encompasses nearly one whole wall of the hangar. A push of a button sends power to a system of humming pulleys and cables that slowly, tediously raises the enormous barricade out of the way. You would normally see a private jet parked here, but today the hangar houses the cars left behind and mostly untouched after their owner, actor Paul Walker, died more than six years ago, in November 2013. All are scheduled for sale at Barrett-Jackson’s 2020 Scottsdale auction in January.
It’s impossible to think of Walker and not recall the wildly successful “Fast and Furious” movie franchise that made him a hero to legions of fans. As Brian O’Conner, an undercover cop whose assignment to break up illegal Los Angeles street racing gangs ultimately endears him to the scene, Walker helped to transform car culture. He played other roles in his onscreen career, of course, some arguably better developed and grittier than O’Conner was. But he is best known for the “Fast and Furious” films.
Like Steve McQueen and Paul Newman before him, Walker proved he wasn’t just another good-looking actor, but also a talented wheelman and knowledgeable enthusiast, often requesting to do his own driving stunts for movies and reviewing “Fast and Furious” scripts for accuracy when it came to automotive dialogue. He was so into cars that he co-owned the Valencia, California-based tuning shop Always Evolving. But distressingly, like James Dean 58 years prior, a freak road crash in a Porsche (unlike Dean, Walker was a passenger) cost him his life. Walker was 40 years old.
This story is from the February 2020 edition of Automobile.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2020 edition of Automobile.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bradley Price Watches Over Cars
I don't wear a watch, and I think I know why: a permanent injury.
The Real Fate Of The Furious
PaulWalker left behind a treasure trove of collector cars
Kia - Stinger A Year With South Korea's Star Sedan
Perfectly balanced, as all things should be
Reality Bytes
HOW CLOSE IS A PROFESSIONAL RACING SIMULATOR TO THE REAL THING? WE SENT OUR PRO DRIVER TO FORD’S PERFORMANCE TECHNICAL CENTER TO FIND OUT
There Goes Your Hero
Ford’s new-Mustang Shelby GT500 can save the day regardless of what kind of mood you're in
FOUR SEASONS INTRO -N MARKS THE SPOT
Our year with Hyundai’s hottest hatch is off to a blistering, blissful start
1988-91 Buick Reatta
THE BUICK REATTA was first conjured in the early 1980s in response to a perceived gap in the marque’s lineup.
THE FULL PACKAGE
The world needs Teslas,but it wants the Taycan
Wall Art
All these years later, the Lamborghini Countach is still the stuff of dreams.
MAGICAL MINI TOUR
A ROCKING JOURNEY THROUGH ’60S LONDON IN A VINTAGE VERSION OF THE QUINTESSENTIAL 60-YEAR-OLD BRITISH CITY CAR