You’ve seen him in the sleeveless flannel. You’ve heard the catchphrase a million times. You probably even know he’s the voice behind the world's most famous tow truck, Mater. But when it comes to the actual fleet of Larry the Cable Guy cars, there is a weird disconnect between the character and the man, Dan Whitney.
Most people expect to find a yard full of rusted-out pickups and half-finished projects on blocks. Honestly? That couldn't be further from the truth. While the "Larry" persona is all about low-brow humor and blue-collar simplicity, the man behind the hat is a serious, sophisticated collector of high-end American muscle. We aren't talking about junkers. We’re talking about six-figure restorations and iconic powerhouses.
The Nebraska Muscle Museum
Dan Whitney doesn't just "have some cars." He has a curated museum. Located in Northwest Omaha, Nebraska, this isn't a public tourist trap where you can buy a keychain and a soda. It's a private sanctuary.
It started small. Like most of us, he had a three-car garage. Then it hit ten. Then it became a full-blown facility that houses approximately 125 cars. He’s gone on record saying he likes "fast cars and rock and roll music," and his collection reflects that exact energy. The museum is largely a treasure trove of American muscle from the late 1960s to the early 1970s, alongside some modern heavy hitters from Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
He doesn't just park them and let them rot. These cars are meticulously maintained. Interestingly, he uses the collection as a tool for good. While it isn't "open to the public" in the traditional sense, he frequently opens the doors for charity events. You make a donation to a worthy cause, and you get to see the chrome. It’s a pretty cool way to "Git-R-Done" for the community.
The Crown Jewel: 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition
If there is one car that defines the high-end side of his taste, it’s the 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition.
Think about the irony for a second. The guy who voices a rusty 1950s tow truck owns one of the most aerodynamic, high-performance supercars ever built in America. This isn't just a regular Ford GT, either. The Heritage Edition is the "holy grail" for many collectors.
- The Look: It sports the iconic Gulf Oil livery—Heritage Blue with Epic Orange stripes.
- The Rarity: Ford only produced 343 of these specific units.
- The Power: It’s packing a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 pushing 550 horsepower.
- The Price: In 2026, these cars regularly clear the $700,000 mark at auction, with some low-mileage examples pushing even higher.
When Dan Whitney pulls this out of the garage, he isn't playing a character. He's a guy who appreciates the absolute pinnacle of Ford engineering.
Beyond the Supercars: The Real Muscle
While the Ford GT gets the headlines, the heart of the collection is the "heavy metal." Whitney has a deep love for the era when displacement was king.
His garage is stacked with late 60s and early 70s icons. We're talking Chevrolet Chevelles, Pontiac GTOs, and Plymouth Hemi Cudas. These are the cars he grew up admiring. There’s something about the way he talks about them—it’s not about the investment or the "flip." It’s about the history. He loves the stories behind how these cars were built and the culture they represent.
He’s also a fan of modern American performance. He’s been known to keep several "new" muscle cars from the Big Three (Ford, GM, and Chrysler). If it has a V8 and it makes a lot of noise, there’s a good chance Dan has a version of it tucked away on his 180-acre farm or in his Omaha facility.
The Mater Connection
We have to talk about the tow truck.
People always ask if he owns a real-life Mater. The answer is: sort of. While he doesn't have a sentient, talking tow truck that drives backward, he has been involved with various promotional versions of the character over the years. However, his personal collection is much more "concours d'elegance" than "Radiator Springs."
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It’s a funny contrast. He spent years recording lines for a truck that’s literally falling apart, then spent his paychecks buying cars that are polished to a mirror finish.
Why the Collection Matters
The "Larry the Cable Guy" character is a caricature of the American working man. But Dan Whitney's car collection is a tribute to American industrial success.
There’s a nuance here that most people miss. To build a collection of 125 pristine vehicles, you need more than just money. You need a deep understanding of automotive provenance. You have to know which VINs matter, which restorations are authentic, and how to preserve mechanical systems that are over 50 years old.
He’s also a guitar collector. He has over 50 guitars from iconic rock bands spanning the 60s to the 90s. The cars and the guitars go hand-in-hand—it’s all about preserving the "cool" of the 20th century.
Common Misconceptions
Let's clear some things up.
- It’s not a junkyard. Don't show up in Omaha expecting to see a pile of scrap metal. It’s a high-end, climate-controlled facility.
- He doesn't just buy Fords. While he loves his Ford GT, he is an equal-opportunity muscle car enthusiast. If it’s fast and American, he’s interested.
- He actually drives them. Well, some of them. While the ultra-rare stuff stays protected, he’s a car guy through and through. He didn't buy them to be wallpaper.
How to See the Collection
Since it’s not a public museum, your best bet is to keep an eye on Nebraska-based charity auctions and fundraisers. Whitney is a huge supporter of local causes, and these events are often the only way for a "regular" person to get a glimpse of the fleet.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're inspired by the "Git-R-Done" approach to car collecting, you don't need 125 cars to start.
- Research Local Charity Car Shows: Many private collectors, including those in the Midwest, only show their cars at "invitation-only" charity events.
- Track Auction Results: If you want to understand the value of the 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition, follow sites like Bring a Trailer or Mecum. It’ll give you a real-world look at the market Whitney operates in.
- Visit the Klairmont Kollection (Virtually): While the original "Larry" of the Klairmont Kollection passed away and his cars were auctioned in late 2025, studying that auction list gives you a great idea of the types of "Road Art" and rare models that collectors in this circle value.
Dan Whitney's garage is a reminder that you can't judge a man by his sleeveless shirt. Underneath the comedy is a world-class automotive historian with a penchant for high-octane American history.