The 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible, famously known as the 'Red Shark' or 'Great Red Shark' from Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, is heading to auction at Christie's in New York as part of the Jim Irsay Collection. Owned by the gonzo journalism pioneer until his 2005 death, the fire-apple red vehicle featured in the 1998 film adaptation and carries an estimated value of $100,000-$150,000, with proceeds supporting mental health awareness.
Hunter S. Thompson, the Louisville, Kentucky-born journalist who pioneered gonzo journalism with works like his 1970 piece 'The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved,' owned the 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic convertible—nicknamed the 'Red Shark' in his 1971 Rolling Stone article 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'—from 1990 until his death in 2005. He received it as a gift from brothers Jim and Artie Mitchell, operators of a San Francisco-based adult entertainment business. Painted fire-apple red with a white soft top and leather interior, the car was the central vehicle for protagonists Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) in Terry Gilliam's 1998 film adaptation, though production also used a 1971 Impala. In the book, it's described as the only such convertible between Butte and Tijuana during a chaotic trip to cover the Mint 400 race.
The Caprice model, produced 1965-1996, debuted its 1973 convertible with updates for emissions standards, including new bumpers, grille, taillights, and engines; most, including this one, were made in Janesville, Wisconsin. Previously displayed at the Cannabition Cannabis Museum in Las Vegas (2018-2019), it's in good condition—suitable for use, not concours-restored. Accompanying it is a black box with Jacques Marie Mage aviator sunglasses in a Gonzo Fist holder, Jimmy Buffett and Allman Brothers cassette tapes, Holley Carburetor documents, and a Sony car stereo manual.
The auction, part of Jim Irsay's collection of over 100 American history and pop culture items (Irsay, former Indianapolis Colts owner, died May 2025), includes highlights like Muhammad Ali's gloves and robe, Secretariat's saddle, a Thompson-annotated Jack Kerouac book, and Jackie Robinson's bat. Bidding is online until March 17, with live events in New York March 12-14 across categories like Hall of Fame, Icons of Pop Culture, and Icons of Music. Christie's estimates $100,000-$150,000, drawing fans of Thompson's immersive reporting style.
