Yep, he may owe 40 or 50k or more on his winnings depending on what they established the value as. If you are in a high tax bracket and the sweepstakes over values the prize, the cost can be right up with an outright purchase.
In this case say they took a SRT at full cost, added the cost of the improvements (also probably ovepriced) and they may indeed have valued the car in the 120-150k range. Assuming combined federal, state and sales tax net 50% (very possible) he could owe 75k in taxes for the winning Viper, which based on the ugly paint is worth less than a new Viper that can be purchased for essentially the same amount. Big winnings indeed.
In this case say they took a SRT at full cost, added the cost of the improvements (also probably ovepriced) and they may indeed have valued the car in the 120-150k range. Assuming combined federal, state and sales tax net 50% (very possible) he could owe 75k in taxes for the winning Viper, which based on the ugly paint is worth less than a new Viper that can be purchased for essentially the same amount. Big winnings indeed.