The Rich & Famous Weren't Always Driving Glamorously—Here Are Their First Cars
If you've ever seen a celebrity driving around in a Rolls-Royce or maybe a rare Lamborghini, please know that they didn't always drive ridiculous cars. Although their first big paycheck may have been spent on a more luxurious car, like everyone else, they started with a beater (or close to one, anyway). Here are the first cars of some of the world's most famous people.
Elon Musk's BMW 320i
Before Elon Musk built electric cars, he drove a non-electric BMW 320i. Bought in 1994 before making his millions, he fixed up the car during his two Silicon Valley internships. He would sell the BMW sedan two years later, swapping it for a Jaguar E-Type. Nevertheless, for the richest man in the world, the BMW was a good first car.
Lewis Hamilton's Mini Cooper
You might think that one of Formula One's fastest drivers drove a speeding sports car for his first car. But no, it was a 2002 Mini Cooper that Hamilton bought himself, after he learned how to drive in his mother's Mini. A far cry from the mind-bending G-forces of an F1 car, the Cooper was a reliable auto with a storied British history.
kieranwhite599, Wikimedia Commons
Jay Leno's 1934 Ford Pickup
Jay Leno is no stranger to beautiful cars, preferring American muscle over almost anything. Curious, then, that his first car was a 1934 Ford Pickup. He bought it for $350 at the age of 14 and started fixing it up. Today, it's housed in his permanent collection of more than 300 cars.
3 Most Secret Pickup Trucks in Jay Leno's Garage! You Won't Believe Exist!, Vintage Vehicles
Paul Walker's 1986 Ford Ranger
Before Paul Walker's untimely demise, he was about as associated with speed and power as it's possible to be in the car world. Walker's love for Porsches came later in life, though. He started his journey into cars with a 1986 Ford Ranger while he was still in high school.
All Ford Lightning Scenes - The Fast and the Furious, Xspartan398
Bob Lutz's 1953 Volkswagen Beetle
Bob Lutz is a bigwig in the American automotive industry, taking multiple senior leadership roles at BMW, Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Someone with that much experience in cars surely has to love them and Bob does—crediting his love of cars to his first: a 1953 Volkswagen Beetle.
Ralph Lauren's Morgan 4/4
No stranger to exquisite cars that make you swoon, Ralph Lauren's extraordinary collection began with this: a 1961 Morgan 4/4. First produced in England in 1936, the "4/4" stands for "four wheels and four cylinders". It was powered by a (you guessed it) four-cylinder 1.1L engine. The beauty of the 4/4 makes it one of the rarest in Lauren's collection.
Jerry Seinfeld's 1977 Volkswagen Beetle
Hollywood actor Jerry Seinfeld is also famous for his love of cars, which also began with a VW Beetle. Although, his Beetle was some 20 years older than Bob Lutz's. This 1977 Bug is special: It's one of 15,007,034 Beetles produced worldwide that year, breaking the record for the world's most produced car. This iconic car helped jumpstart Seinfeld's love of car collecting, with a collection that now contains 40 Porsches.
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands, Wikimedia Commons
Steve McQueen's 1958 Porsche Speedster
Speaking of Porsche, speed demon and Hollywood heartthrob Steve McQueen's first car was a 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster. This beautiful car was the first-ever Porsche production model designed and built by Ferdinand Porsche. The black-on-black color scheme wasn't the only customization McQueen made—he also cut the windshield and removed the bumpers. He won his first auto race in this Porsche classic, jumpstarting his career.
WE ARE PORSCHE | McQueen, Petersen Automotive Museum
Eric Bana's 1974 Ford Falcon XB
Eric Bana loves his 1974 Ford Falcon XB so much that he made a documentary about it: Love The Beast (2009). In 1977, Bana saw the Falcon XB win a race in Australia and he knew he wanted one. Picking one up once he had the cash, Bana uses the car as a daily driver and as a racing car, even racing it in a Targa rally in 2007.
Eric Bana's 1974 Ford Falcon XB Coupe has been rebuilt!, TUFF Collectables
Paul Newman's Ford Model A
It doesn't get much more refined than a Ford Model A. The successor to the Ford Model T that revolutionized travel in the US, iconic actor Paul Newman picked the 1929 Model A up when he was just starting his acting career. Featuring a 3.2L inline-four engine that produced 40 hp, the exquisite Ford is a classic— almost as classic as Newman.
Stephen Foskett (Wikipedia User: sfoskett), Wikimedia Commons
Jay Kay's BMW 1602
British rock band Jamiroquai's lead singer, Jay Kay, may be able to afford anything, but his first car, before Jamiroquai made it big, was a 1972 BMW 1602. The car is the same one that the British singer learned to drive in and was bought with 22,000 miles on it back in the 1980s. After putting another 30,000 miles on the car as Jamiroquai gained fame and fortune, Jay retired the 1602 and put it up for auction in 2022, where it fetched $17,000.
1972 BMW 1602 from Jay Kay, Classic Car Auctions
David Beckham's Ford Escort Mk 3
David Beckham's humble beginnings aren't a secret, but his first car was a yellow Ford Escort Mk 3. It was bought back in the early 1990s when Beckham purchased it from fellow Manchester United star Ryan Giggs. He later purchased a VW Golf Match in turquoise—a far cry from his current collection of British classics and Italian flair.
1981 Ford Escort (Mk3) XR3, Iconic Auctioneers
Barack Obama's Ford Granada
Barack Obama might not have had to drive himself around for the better part of a decade, but when he was first learning, he drove a 1970s Ford Granada previously owned by his uncle. He later remarked that the car "may be the worst thing Detroit ever built". He remarked that the car used to shake and rattle. He was probably grateful that he swapped it out for a family car, "The Beast", in 2008.
MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons
Scarlett Johansson's BMW Z4
It might not be the Ford Granada, but Scarlett Johansson's first motor was a far more luxurious BMW Z4, the low-riding convertible with character. Larger than its predecessor, the mid-2000s sedan was powered by a straight-six engine that produced 189 hp. Stylish and devilishly quick, the Z4 was well-suited to Johansson's personality of grounded glitz and glamor in the mid-2000s.
Justin Bieber's Range Rover
Did you know that Justin Bieber didn't even buy his first car? After achieving fame and fortune at the tender age of 13, Bieber was gifted the black Range Rover by his friend and mentor, Usher. Powered by a 5.0L supercharged V8 engine, Bieber definitely spent his 16th birthday (when he received the car) cruising in style.
Daniel Craig's Nissan Cherry
Before Bond, James Bond, was driving an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, he opted for the Japanese-built supermini: the Nissan Cherry. A classic compact of the 1970s, the Cherry was Nissan's first front-wheel drive supermini. Powered by a 1.2L A12 engine, the Cherry was a great get-around car for Craig. Although, we bet he's happier driving any Aston Martin.
Michael Caine's Rolls-Royce
Michael Caine's cockney accent is unmistakable, and he didn't exactly look like a man who could afford a 1968 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. So, when he went to buy that very car in the late 1960s, the dealer told the young Caine to "wait outside and stay there". Little did the dealer know that Caine could very well afford a beautiful 1968 RR. He kept the car for two years before selling it, but it's a beauty and a classic nonetheless.
Tom Cruise's Dodge Cult
Before Tom Cruise was doing ridiculous stunts for Mission Impossible, he was probably honing his driving skills in this Dodge Cult. He was 18 when he bought the car after passing his driving test, and set off for New York in it, chasing his acting dreams. Nowadays, it doesn't hold a candle to his usual sports and supercars, but it was a means to an end for Cruise back in the early 1970s.
Kate Middleton's Volkswagen Golf
Before the Duchess of Cornwall married Prince William, she was driving around in a blue Volkswagen Golf, which she purchased soon after meeting the Prince in 2001. Despite her parents being two of the most successful financial folks in the UK (meaning Middleton could have had any car she wanted), she opted for the small compact.
Harry Styles' Range Rover Sport
Like Justin Bieber, Harry Styles achieved his fame at a young age—and like Bieber, his young mind went straight to the ultra-luxury SUV, the Range Rover Sport. In particular, Styles acquired the Range Rover SVR, or "Special Vehicle Racing". Complete with 21-inch alloy wheels and a luxurious interior, Styles clearly likes to ride in... style.
Miley Cyrus' Smart Fortwo Convertible
You might think that the country singer had a Ford Mustang for her first car, or a Dodge Charger—something that exudes "Americana". But actually, Cyrus' first car was a Smart car. Specifically, a Fortwo Convertible that was gifted to her by Smart as part of a marketing campaign. Cyrus was just 15 at the time and didn't even have a driver's license.
Ed Sheeran's Mini Cooper
Ed Sheeran may be one of the most humble, down-to-earth celebrities you could ever hope to meet. That's why it's no surprise that his first car (bought at the age of 24) was a British Mini Cooper. He spent his money on cars earlier in his career, but just for other people, buying a Porsche for his sound man and a Range Rover for his manager. A true gentleman.
Hatsukari715, Wikimedia Commons
Taylor Swift's Pink Chevrolet Silverado Pickup
Like Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift started her career at a young age, breaking through with a label in Nashville. Like Cyrus, Swift's first "car" was actually a pink pickup truck from the president of her record label. A Chevrolet 2007 Silverado, the truck was powered by a 4.8L V8 engine.
This Pink Chevy Silverado is Crazy! by CARdiac Troy
Vin Diesel's 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Vin Diesel's first car has an unusual story in that it was something of a gamble for the future racer in Fast & Furious (2001). But before Diesel was behind the wheel of sporty supercars, he acquired a 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for $175 at an auction. Diesel was repairing the car just one week later, but it will always hold a special place in his heart.
Brad Pitt's 1973 Buick Centurion 455
Brad Pitt's first car was a gift from his parents upon receiving his license: a beautiful, old 1973 Buick Centurion, powered by a 7.5L V8 that created 315 hp. Favoring practical over powerful, Pitt's Buick Centurion lasted him a few years before it was replaced. Pitt's passion on wheels isn't cars, it's motorhomes, as he has an ultra-luxurious one.
Jon Hamm's 1985 Toyota Corolla
Jon Hamm used to be a teacher before he became an actor. Deciding to pursue an acting career in LA in the 1980s, he arrived in a 1985 Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately for Hamm, LA's parking attendants seemed to wage war on his car, racking up huge parking fines. Unable to pay the fines, the Corolla sat in a lot for a while, whilst Hamm rode the bus to and from auditions.
Johnny Depp's 1969 Chevy Nova
Did you know that Johnny Depp once lived in his car? In particular, he lived in his first car—a not-so-roomy 1969 Chevrolet Nova. He established his career whilst living out of his car, but when it wasn't his home, it was powered by an inline-six engine that produced between 130 and 180 hp. It's widely considered a classic now, although maybe not Depp's part-car/part-apartment.
Rowan Atkinson's Morris Minor Pickup
Before Rowan Atkinson could buy Britain's finest automobiles, he had a Morris Minor pickup truck. He was given the vehicle when he was just 12 years old by his mother and he spent his teenage years driving it. It was probably a better ride than his Reliant Robin in Mr Bean. Since then, Atkinson's acquired a need for speed and now owns a McLaren F1 supercar.
Stirling Moss' Austin Seven
Stirling Moss is a bit of a legend in the world of British racing and Formula One. His first car was an Austin Seven, an economy car produced between 1922 and 1939. Purchased for him by his father at the age of nine, Moss would ride the Seven in the fields surrounding his home. It was likely in these off-road excursions that he acquired the thirst for a thrill and the greater speeds of Formula One racing.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Carroll Shelby's 1934 Dodge
From one of Britain's most famous drivers to one of America's most famous car builders. Carroll Shelby's first car was a 1934 Dodge, a family hand-me-down from his teenage years. With a top speed of 87 mph, the 1934 Dodge enabled Shelby to hone his skills behind the wheel and planted the seed of auto racing and car fixing in the young Carroll Shelby.
Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden, Wikimedia Commons
Patrick Dempsey's Porsche 356 Speedster
We all know that Dr McDreamy is a bit of a car nut. But that all began after he made it big on Grey's Anatomy, acquiring a Porsche 356 Speedster from 1955. Powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder, air-cooled, naturally aspirated Boxer engine, the beautiful old Porsche is one of the company's first cars. It's an absolute classic.
Katy Perry's VW Jetta
Katy Perry's car collection has expanded to include an Audi A5, a Maserati Gran Turismo, a Porsche Cayenne, and even a Cybertruck. But before all that, there was the humble Volkswagen Jetta. Unfortunately for Perry, the early 2000s were not the most successful time of her career and her VW Jetta was repossessed not once, but twice.
User Sfoskett on en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Cameron Diaz's VW Type 2 Bus
Not one to go with the crowd, Cameron Diaz's first car was actually a beautiful old VW Type 2 Bus, the same one that her mother had used in the 1980s to ferry Diaz and her sister around in. She inherited the car once she got her license and immediately went 80 mph in it!
Ludacris' Acura Legend
If there was ever a testament to the never-fail nature of Japanese engineering, it's probably Ludacris' 1993 Acura Legend. A sedan for the ages, Ludacris' Acura now has 255,000 miles on it, but was bought used back in 1999. The Acura Legend was involved in an accident in 2015 and Ludacris paid to have it repaired. It's still chugging along, miraculously.
Ludacris' 1993 Acura Legend - 2015 SEMA Show, AutoGuide.com
Lady Gaga's 1967 Ford Mustang
Lady Gaga's car collection also includes some incredible vehicles, but her very first was a very special 1967 Ford Mustang. Powered by a 6.4L FE V8 engine, the Mustang would set the standard for American pony cars. Also in Gaga's collection is a Lamborghini Murcielago. So, you know, it's not all about American muscle.
Giorgio Armani's VW Beetle
A penchant for the finer things in life, the designer Giorgio Armani used to drive a 1970s VW Beetle. He made the ultimate sacrifice in 1975 when he sold his beloved compact sedan to finance his fashion label. I'd say that decision paid dividends, and then some! We hope he bought the Bug back once he made it big.
Vwexport1300, Wikimedia Commons
Shaquille O'Neal's Ford Bronco II
Like every car in Shaquille O'Neal's collection, his Ford Bronco II had to be customized to fit his enormous height. The wheelbase was lengthened to accommodate his 7'1" frame, along with extra height added to the roof. It reportedly cost O'Neal $25,000 and was his first car after making it to the NBA.
A Look At Shaquille O' Neals HUGE CAR Collection!, Strictly Cars
What Was Your First Car?
These cars might seem extremely ordinary to major celebrities. Did you also own one of these cars? What was your experience? Which celebrity's first car is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
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