Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane might look like rivals to casual bodybuilding fans, especially after the 1980 Mr. Olympia controversy, however, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. While Arnie and Zane were rivals on stage, they were also friends. Earlier, the three-time Mr. Olympia told a hilarious story involving him and Schwarzenegger from their bodybuilding days. The incident happened when the duo drove back home after a bodybuilding show.

While appearing on ‘The Menace Podcast,’ one of the hosts, Chris Cormier, asked the 80-year-old for one of his “old” stories. “I love the one with Arnold,” said the podcast host and former Ironman Pro winner. So the three-time Mr. Oympia obliged with a tale where Schwarzenegger made a rookie driving mistake, despite owning several expensive cars.

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t heed Frank Zane’s warning

Schwarzenegger and Zane first met on the bodybuilding stage as rivals in 1968. While the Austrian Oak felt devastated after losing to Zane in his first show in America, the two became friends. “I remember one time we went to Tijuana, Mexico for Mr. International, me and Arnold,” said the former Mr. Universe. The pair were in a Volkswagen with the seven-time Mr. Olympia at the wheel. 

While Schwarzenegger trusted the German car a bit too much, Zane asked a crucial question during the long drive. “I said ‘Arnold did you check your gas gauge? See how much gas you have?'” said Zane. However, the Austrian Oak told Zane not to worry. “This car runs like a tank. It doesn’t run out of gas,” replied the five-time Mr. Universe. 

“Five minutes later he was out of gas,” the 80-year-old told the three hosts. Dennis James, Chris Cormier, and Milos Sarcev burst out laughing after hearing Zane tell the hilarious story with a straight face. While the story was funny, for a car lover like Arnie, it was a rookie mistake.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia’s insane car collection

Ever since coming to America, Schwarzenegger dreamed of owning powerful cars. He even got into a major accident while driving his friend’s 300+ horsepower Pontiac. Gradually Schwarzenegger began collecting unique vehicles. From iconic multimillion-dollar cars like the Bugatti Veyron to German sports cars like the Porsche 911 Turbo to multiple Bentleys, Arnie has owned them all.

READ MORE | Superconfident Arnold Schwarzenegger “Cried All Night” and Was Left “Depressed” After an Unexpected Defeat Against His Arch-Nemesis in 1968

However, unlike other celebrities, Schwarzenegger has a taste for military vehicles and knows how to drive a tank. In fact, the bodybuilding legend now owns the Patton tank he drove during his mandatory service with the Austrian army in the early sixties.

Watch this story | From Young Age to Becoming a Beast, Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Insane Transformation 

While Schwarzenegger and Zane had their differences on the bodybuilding stage, they were also good friends. Frank Zane probably has many more stories like the one he told during The Menace podcast.