The Cars That Drive Us: John Hennessey and the “Race Red” Hennessey Venom GT
Few people have spent their lives pushing the limits of automotive performance quite like John Hennessey, CEO and founder of Hennessey Performance. From classic American muscle cars to some of the world's fastest hypercars, his personal collection reflects decades of passion for engineering, innovation and the pursuit of speed.
But among the vehicles that have shaped his journey, one stands above the rest: the "Race Red" Hennessey Venom GT. More than just a high-performance machine, the Venom GT represents a defining chapter in Hennessey's life and career - a vehicle that embodies years of ambition, perseverance and achievement.
How many cars do you have in your collection?
I currently have around 20 vehicles in my personal collection. The collection spans everything from classic American muscle cars from the 1960s to some of today's most advanced and exclusive high-performance vehicles. Every vehicle has a story, and each one represents a different chapter in my life as a car enthusiast, racer, engineer, and entrepreneur.
What is your favorite car in your collection and why?
It's difficult to choose a single favorite because every car in the collection was acquired for a specific reason. Some represent important moments in my personal life, some mark milestones in Hennessey's growth, and others are vehicles that inspired me from a young age.
If I had to highlight one, it would be the “Race Red” Hennessey Venom GT. The Venom GT represents an incredible period in our company's history when a small team from Texas set out to challenge the world's largest manufacturers on the global stage. It embodies the passion, determination, and engineering excellence that have defined Hennessey for more than three decades.
What's your most memorable drive in that car?
Without question, the most memorable moments with the Venom GT were the two world-record top-speed runs.
The first was taking the Venom GT Coupe to 270.49 mph, a run made possible in partnership with Pennzoil. It was an incredible achievement for our team and demonstrated what could be accomplished through relentless engineering and development.
The second was the Venom GT Spyder reaching 265.6 mph, a record that still stands today as the fastest speed ever achieved by an open-top manual-transmission production car. Standing on the runway and seeing years of hard work culminate in those record-setting moments is something I'll never forget.
What does "keeping a car for the long run" mean to you?
For me, keeping a car for the long run means preserving both the machine and the story behind it.
Many of the vehicles in my collection have been modified, engineered, or developed by the Hennessey team. Keeping them in excellent condition over decades is a testament to the quality, durability, and integrity of the engineering that went into them.
More broadly, my collection serves as a rolling timeline of automotive history. It includes vehicles from the 1960s through today's hypercars, many of which have influenced not only the automotive industry but also the direction of our business. Maintaining and driving these vehicles allows future generations to experience and appreciate the innovation, craftsmanship, and passion that make great cars timeless.
