Dean Martin – Cool Crooner Who Owned Some Cool Rides

Dean Martin was a car enthusiast by day and a crooner by night. His “cool” demeanor can be seen in his eclectic mix of vehicles. Here are three of the best automobiles in his collection.

1962 Ghia L6.4 Coupe

As part of “The Rat Pack,” Dean Martin’s swagger required some cool rides. One of his hottest set of wheels was a 1962 Ghia L6.4. The vehicle was powered by a Chrysler 6.6 liter V8 engine that produced 335 horsepower. Martin liked his Ghia but thought it needed more pizzazz, so he contacted Hollywood custom car builder George Barris. Martin’s car was jazzed up with a shiny black paint job, chrome wheels, a glass greenhouse and trademark oval headlights. It became a true piece of automotive history.

1967 Ferrari 412P

Built as a racecar, the 1967 Ferrari 412P was one of the most impressive vehicles in Martin’s collection. The deep yellow color and sculpted lines added to its mystique. This car had some of the earliest aerodynamic features and was part of Ferrari’s prototype racing series. Under the hood, it boasted a 4.0-liter engine with a 12-cylinder configuration.

1976 Stutz Blackhawk

Apparently, Dean Martin truly enjoyed the luxury of 1976 Stutz Blackhawk cars. Throughout his life, he owned three different models. In a publicized accident, one of his Blackhawk vehicles was demolished. Its “DRUNKY” license plate may have explained the cause of the crash.

Every Blackhawk body was handcrafted in Torino, Italy with a special American G-Body Pontiac chassis. Each car was estimated to take 1,500 man-hours to complete. Some of the model’s best features included a 425-horsepower Rocket V8 big block engine, mink carpeting and 24-karat gold-plated interior bezels.

Outside the nightclubs, Dean Martin had an affinity for fine automobiles. Few people who loved his music knew much about his car collection. Martin’s taste spanned numerous brands. Since his death, most of his cars have been sold so that his spirit lives on through more than his songs.