Actor, producer, and FootPrint Coalition founder, Robert Downey Jr., is giving away six classic cars updated with electric and hybrid engines and sustainable interiors.
Downey worked with a team of seasoned professionals to transform six timeless automobiles from the Iron Man star’s private collection.
The vehicles, ranging from a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible to a 1985 Chevrolet El Camino, have been retrofitted into modern eco-conscious masterpieces. The cars will be given away as part of a year-long nationwide sweepstakes now underway. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to support the nonprofit FootPrint Coalition, founded by Downey, which works to advance the adoption of technologies promoting a cleaner environment.
The vehicles entering the sweepstakes are featured in the upcoming Max series, Downey’s Dream Cars.
“Making Downey’s Dream Cars come true with Max was an education and a blast,” Downey said in a statement. “Keeping these transformed classic vehicles for my own personal enjoyment would be a missed opportunity. All proceeds from the sweepstakes will go towards funding FootPrint Coalition’s nonprofit organization. Please enjoy the show on Max, and pretty please go to www.rdjdreamcars.com for a chance to win one of these now eco-friendlier cars.”
Rachel Kropa, FootPrint Coalition’s Managing Director of Nonprofit + Science says the goal of this yearlong sweepstakes is to raise significant funding to help environmental technologies to take hold in a more systemic way.
“There are a ton of dedicated folks working on the sweepstakes and featured in this show, and they’re only a tiny fraction of the millions of people who are actively volunteering their skills in restoring the planet. Our job is a race to curate the solutions that can change human systems in the timeliest manner – from research to rollout to new normal,” Kropa said.
The cars up for grabs in the sweepstakes include:
1969 Mercedes Benz 280 SE, retrofitted with a contemporary diesel engine, a fuel system compatible with biodiesel, and a recycled plastic interior replacing the original suede one.
1965 VW Bus, revamped with an EV West electric motor conversion replacing the previous 1100 CC air-cooled engine, along with a solar-powered electric barbeque built into the back of the bus.
1966 Buick Riviera, transformed by replacing the original 425 cubic inch V8 engine with a cutting-edge hybrid engine, and integrating an innovative Aclima air quality sensor.
1972 K-10 Pickup, reengineered into a complete EV pick-up with a customized electric motor and battery pack.
1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, updated with a modern electric motor, replacing the 327 Small Block engine, and an extraordinary mushroom-based interior.
1985 Chevrolet El Camino, enhanced with a 4-cylinder Chevy turbo truck engine, replacing the stock one, and a solar-powered bike rack added to the car bed.
Chris Mazzilli, who leads Dream Car Restorations/CMC Motors in Plainview, New York, is leading the sweepstakes and serving as an executive producer of Downey’s Dream Cars. This series, premiering on Max come June 22, sheds light on how each car underwent its transformation. The show details how the cars were modified to be fuel-efficient and sustainable without losing their original appeal.
The series is produced by Boat Rocker’s Matador Content and Team Downey, and hosted by Robert Downey Jr. The executive producers include Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, Emily Barclay Ford, Jay Peterson, Todd Lubin, and Dave Larzelere. Kyle Wheeler serves as executive producer for Warner Bros. Discovery, and Chris Mazzilli also holds an executive producer role.
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