Elon Musk’s Private Car Collection Goes Beyond Just Teslas
Elon Musk may be synonymous with Tesla’s electric revolution, but his personal garage holds a diverse mix of rare and iconic cars. His taste in cars ranges from childhood dreams to sci-fi memorabilia. Here’s a closer look at the eclectic car collection of one of the world’s most talked-about innovators.
1978 BMW 320i
Musk’s very first car was a modest 1978 BMW 320i, which he bought for around $1,400 in 1994. It wasn’t flashy, but practical. The 320i produces approximately 110HP with a top speed of about 112 MPH. It met a dramatic end when a friend took it for a joyride and caused irreparable damage.
1978 BMW 320i - Stock # 849 located in our Louisville Showroom, GatewayClassicCars
1997 McLaren F1
In 1999, following the sale of Zip2, Musk purchased a McLaren F1—a supercar known for being one of the fastest in history with a top speed of 240 MPH and 627HP. He drove it regularly, often using it to commute to meetings. Ironically, he crashed the car in 2000 without insurance.
Elon Musk's Old McLaren F1 Driving Away From A Car Show, Venom RB
1976 Lotus Esprit "Wet Nellie"
Musk purchased the Lotus Esprit submarine car from The Spy Who Loved Me at a 2013 auction for nearly $1 million. While the version he acquired was a non-functional movie prop, the futuristic design captivated him. With a top road speed of around 138 MPH and 160HP in its base model, the Lotus appealed to his love for innovation.
2012 Porsche 911 Turbo (997)
Although known for electric vehicles, Musk has a deep respect for traditional performance engineering, and this is reflected in his ownership of a Porsche 911 Turbo. The 997 generation offers up to 500HP and a top speed near 194 MPH. Musk has credited the handling and balance of the 911 as an influence on Tesla’s performance-oriented EVs,
Inside Elon Musk's Crazy Expensive Car Collection, TheRichest
1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
As a young boy, Musk dreamed of owning a Jaguar E-Type. After receiving a bonus from his first major business success, he made that dream come true by purchasing a 1967 Roadster. The E-Type, with 265HP and a top speed of around 150 MPH, is often regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
Inside Elon Musk's Crazy Expensive Car Collection, TheRichest
The OG Tesla Roadster
The original Tesla Roadster, launched in 2008, was the company’s first production vehicle and marked a revolutionary moment in the electric car market. Musk’s personal Roadster delivered 248HP and a top speed of approximately 125 MPH. It was small, fast, and stylish—everything a sports EV needed to challenge automotive norms.
Inside Elon Musk's Crazy Expensive Car Collection, TheRichest
Audi Q7
The Auid Q7 was one of Musk's most begrudged purchases due to the lack of space in the rear. The Q7's V8 version boasted 350HP and a top speed of 130 MPH. Musk’s ownership of the Q7 shaped one of Tesla’s most unique design features—the Falcon Wing doors.
Inside Elon Musk's Crazy Expensive Car Collection, TheRichest
Tesla Cybertruck (Prototype)
One of Musk’s most controversial vehicles is the Tesla Cybertruck, which he has been seen personally driving in its pre-release form. The futuristic truck boasts angular, stainless-steel styling inspired by Blade Runner. The tri-motor version is said to offer 845HP and a top speed of around 112 MPH.
Watch Elon Musk announce the Tesla Cybertruck in 14 minutes, CNET
Ford Model T Replica
Musk owns a replica of the legendary Ford Model T as a tribute to the car that made personal transportation accessible to the masses. With just 20HP and a top speed of about 45 MPH, the Model T is primitive by today’s standards but essential to automotive history.
Inside Elon Musk's Crazy Expensive Car Collection, TheRichest
Hamann BMW M5
When Elon wanted to modify his BMW M5, he turned to German tuning house Hamann. They finely tuned the car's V10 engine to produce 550HP, the car could reach a top speed close to 190 MPH. Known for its aggressive styling and blistering performance, the Hamann M5 added some German muscle to Musk’s lineup.
Elon Musk Car Collection | Celeb Car Collection, Celebrity Cars Collection
Tesla Model S Performance
Musk used the Tesla Model S as a daily driver for years and frequently showed off its abilities in media demonstrations. The Performance variant, especially the P100D with Ludicrous Mode, offered up to 762HP and a top speed of around 163 MPH. The Model S was a breakthrough vehicle that challenged the notion that EVs were slow or boring.
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Tesla Model X
Born out of Musk’s dissatisfaction with the Audi Q7, the Tesla Model X was Musk's answer: packing 1,020HP in the Plaid variant and a top speed of 155 MPH, it offered performance, style, and family practicality. The Falcon Wing doors made it stand out, and the car remains one of Musk’s proudest Tesla creations.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), Wikimedia Commons
Tesla Model 3 Performance
As Tesla’s first truly mass-market vehicle, the Model 3 became a global success, thanks partly to Musk’s intense involvement in its design and production. The Performance version offers around 450HP and a top speed of 162 MPH. Musk occasionally test drives newer iterations and uses the Model 3 to showcase how electric cars can be affordable, high-performance, and software-driven. It’s also one of the most efficient cars in Tesla’s lineup.
Zotyefan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is one of the most important vehicles in Tesla’s lineup due to its crossover appeal and production scalability. Musk frequently cites it as the most efficient car Tesla has ever manufactured. The Performance model delivers 456HP and can hit a top speed of 155 MPH. With spacious seating and a minimalist interior, the Model Y is a family favorite. Musk’s personal interest in simplifying production is deeply reflected in this model.
Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tesla Roadster (Second-Gen, Prototype)
Unveiled in 2017 but still awaiting production, the second-generation Tesla Roadster aims to be the fastest production car ever made. With a claimed top speed of over 250 mph and over 1,000 horsepower, it’s designed to shatter automotive records. Musk has test-driven prototypes and says this vehicle is meant to "give a hardcore smackdown" to gas-powered supercars. His personal Roadster is likely to be the first delivered when full production begins.
NEW Tesla Roadster 2.0 | 2023 Roadster Tesla, Petersen Automotive Museum
GMC Hummer EV (Speculative)
Though not confirmed, industry whispers suggest Musk test-drove a GMC Hummer EV as part of Tesla’s benchmarking process. The Hummer EV boasts about 1,000HP and a top speed of 106 MPH, with extreme off-road capability. Whether Musk owns one or not remains unclear, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he used it to study the competition. Tesla’s own Cybertruck will likely address many of the same performance challenges.
SpaceX Roadster in Space
Perhaps the most famous car in Musk’s collection is no longer on Earth. His personal 2008 Tesla Roadster was launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in 2018. Now circling the sun with a mannequin “Starman” behind the wheel, it travels at over 24,000 MPH. It’s both a marketing stunt and a symbol of ambition, linking Musk’s two major companies in one epic gesture of showmanship and engineering.
Musk's Cars Are A Reflection Of Himself
Elon Musk’s car collection is a reflection of his complex personality—equal parts futurist, gearhead, entrepreneur, and movie buff. From modest BMWs and British classics to movie props and the fastest EVs ever built, each vehicle in his garage tells a story. Musk doesn’t just build cars—he lives them, constantly testing the boundary between fantasy and function. His garage is a museum of influence, aspiration, and innovation.
Heisenberg Media, Wikimedia Commons
