Robert Matthew Van Winkle may not be a name that immediately comes to mind. However, chances are you sang along to his catchy tune “Ice Ice Baby” during your childhood. This iconic hip hop single from the 1990s made history by reaching the top of the Billboard charts.
The song, which Van Winkle wrote at the age of 16 after a fun weekend with friends, became his signature piece. Despite his efforts with songs like “Play That Funky Music” or “Hooked,” he never managed to replicate the immense success of “Ice Ice Baby.”
Taking a break from music in 1993, Van Winkle immersed himself in jet skiing and motocross racing, effectively disappearing from the public eye.
Nevertheless, it seems that Rob is doing quite well. Recently, he has been spotted cruising around in his Avorio-painted Ferrari F8 Spider. Avorio, which means Ivory in Italian, perfectly matches the color of the car. How cliché!
Although he isn’t sure about the exact mileage, Van Winkle estimates that his Ferrari has traveled around 500 miles (805 kilometers). Surprisingly, he rarely drives it, but he describes it as “sexy.”
To customize his Ferrari, Van Winkle visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. The experience left a lasting impression on him. However, he wasn’t allowed to use his phone, had to cover his camera with tape, and was warned that filming was strictly prohibited.
During his visit, Van Winkle was amazed to discover that the engine building room housed real-life ducks, a lake, and trees. This unique ecosystem provided oxygen to the space. He even had the opportunity to dine where his hero, Michael Schumacher, had eaten. It’s worth noting that Schumacher’s last visit to Maranello was in 2009, following his unsuccessful comeback attempt to replace the injured Felipe Massa.
Despite his Ferrari adventures, Van Winkle still considers his Ford Mustang as his all-time favorite. According to him, nothing compares to the 5.0 baby.
Interestingly, his beloved 5.0 baby is actually a 4.9 model that Ford labels as 5.0 for marketing purposes. This third-generation, white convertible Ford Mustang has been in his possession since the 1990s. Recently, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration that lasted four years.
In 2021, after the restoration was completed, Van Winkle shared a photo of himself and the car taken in 1990, just before “Ice Ice Baby” took the music world by storm.