The Incredible Cars Of Pop Culture Icons

The Incredible Cars Of Pop Culture Icons


June 5, 2025 | Jack Hawkins

The Incredible Cars Of Pop Culture Icons


Did You Know That Your Favorite Pop Culture Icons Owned These Beauties?

You may have known that your favorite movie star was a bit of a motorhead, but did you know they owned a classic old truck, or a beautiful 1930s Ford coupe? Probably not. Some pop culture icons like James Hetfield are well-known for their love of beautiful old cars. Others like to keep their gorgeous motors under wraps.

Rss Thumb - Stars & Their Cars

James Hetfield's 1936 Ford Coupe

Metallica's frontman has a somewhat iconic car collection. But his chief prized car among them is a 1936 Ford Coupe, known as "Iron Fist". This fully restored 1936 Ford Coupe has a gorgeous exposed metal body, rounded corner trunk lids, and a 5.7L V8 Chevy small-block engine. The one-of-a-kind exposed metal body is what makes this 1936 Ford unique.

James Hetfield's 1936 Ford Coupe1936 Ford Coupe "Iron Fist" Custom | James Hetfield, nismogropo 

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Patrick Dempsey's 1963 Porsche 356

We all know Patrick Dempsey as Dr Derek Shepherd or "Dr McDreamy" from Grey's Anatomy (2005). But did you know he was an avid car collector? One of his most prominent and well-loved cars is this exquisite 1963 Porsche 356. Bought in 1987 after his first Hollywood hit, the 356's air-cooled, naturally aspirated 1.6L engine produces 359 hp and is Dempsey's daily driver.

Patrick Dempsey's 1963 Porsche 356Inside Patrick Dempsey's Multi Million Dollar Porsche Collection, ELuxuryLifestyle

Ralph Lauren's Jaguar XK120

Like many of the unique cars Ralph Lauren has in his collection, the Jaguar XK120 is a true classic. Manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954, the car's aluminum frame and open-top design contributed to its title as the world's fastest production car of the era, hitting top speeds of 120 mph

File:1950 Jaguar XK120 34.jpgSfoskett, Wikimedia Commons

Tim Allen's 1933 Ford Roadster

Tim Allen is no stranger to vintage, classic cars. Among his vast collection, which is big enough to fill a warehouse, there's a gorgeous 1933 Ford Roadster, as featured on Home Improvement (1991). Allen actually went so far as to restore the 1933 Roadster from the frame up on the show itself, which he then bought. It's packed with a 5.7L V8 Chevy engine that produces between 145 and 350 hp. One of many in Allen's extraordinary collection.

Tim Allen's 1933 Ford RoadsterTim Allen's Car Collection of Authentic American Made Motors - GQ's Car Collectors - Los Angeles, GQ 

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Nicolas Cage's 1971 Lamborghini Miura SBJ

Nicolas Cage is no stranger to beautiful cars, but his 1971 Lamborghini Miura may be one of his favorites. The rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car was the first production sports car to feature this layout and was the fastest production car in the world when released. 1971 was the final model year for the Miura, and it produced 380 hp and had a top speed of 173 mph. Cage's Miura SBJ is one of only 16 left in existence.

Nicolas Cage's 1971 Lamborghini Miura SBJ1971 Lamborghini Miura SVJ #4934 ex-Shah of Iran and Nicolas Cage with Tiff Needle and Joe Sackey, International Lamborghini Registry

Paul Newman's 1963 Volkswagen Beetle

Paul Newman loved a classic car as much as the next American actor. His choice was a 1963 VW Beetle. Although it may not have the clout of a Mustang or Chevelle SS, the '63 Bug was iconic in Europe. It was colored red and had been customized for racing, with a five-speed gearbox, racing suspension, and a 300-hp engine. Newman learned to race in the movie Winning (1969).

File:1963 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 (30460550744).jpgRiley from Christchurch, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons

Barry Weiss's BEATNIK 1955 Ford

The American music executive has quite the car collection that you didn't know about! One of his incredible cars is a customized hot rod known as "BEATNIK". It's a 1955 Ford that was customized by hot-rodder Gary Chopit, featuring an open bubble-top as its standout feature and an exposed engine, which is a 5.7L Chevrolet V8. It's also known for its unique and futuristic interior design.

Barry Weiss's BEATNIK 1955 Ford1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop @ The Klairmont Kollections on My Car Story with Lou Costabile, Lou Costabile

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Ben Affleck's 1966 Chevelle SS

Only 200 of the 1966 Chevelle SS 396s were ever built. Today, only 75 are accounted for, and one of them belongs to Ben Affleck. It's powered by a big-block turbocharged V8 engine, with a four-speed transmission and unique black and chrome trim. Also featuring a deep oxblood red color with an all-metal interior, Affleck's '66 Chevelle SS has had some work done to it, but is still his daily driver.

Ben Affleck's 1966 Chevelle SSBen Affleck Takes His Classic Chevelle Out For A Spin In Malibu, X17onlineVideo

Billy Gibbons' Custom Caddy: CadZZilla

Billy Gibbons spent almost $1 million on this customized 1948 Cadillac Series 62 Sedanette. Debuting in 1989 in the hot rod industry as the "CadZZilla," it was built by legendary customizer Boyd Coddington. Featuring a chopped roofline, lifted nose, and sectioned fenders, the story goes that the original design for the "CadZZilla" was done on a napkin.

Billy Gibbon's Custom Caddy: CadZZillaBilly Gibbons in his Cadzilla, Sean Barriskill

David Letterman's 1955 Jaguar XK140

David Letterman is also no stranger to beautiful cars, starting with this slightly-older-than-Ralph-Lauren's 1955 Jaguar XK140. A successor to the XK120, the 140 was released in 1954 and sold until 1957. The beautiful open-top roadster features improved brakes, telescopic shock absorbers, and flashing turn signals. The beautiful curves of the XK120 were present, as was the performance: a 3.4L inline-six produced 190 hp. One year later, the Jag XK140 was the first Jaguar to receive an automatic transmission. 

File:1955 Jaguar XK140 Black HCC22.jpgMrWalkr, Wikimedia Commons

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Tim McGraw's 1969 Mercedes Convertible

Tim McGraw's father was a New York Mets player who received a $10,000 bonus for winning the World Series in 1969. He bought a white Mercedes Convertible for $7,000 and after his father passed away, McGraw inherited the car. A gorgeous Mercedes 280SL powered by a 2.8L inline-six engine that produced 168 hp, the beautiful car is still driven by the McGraw family today. 

File:1969 Mercedes 280SL (2720494607).jpgdave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, Wikimedia Commons

Dax Shephard's 1967 Lincoln Continental

Dax Shepard's family is well-connected to the car business. His mother was a janitor who worked her way up to becoming a GM fleet manager, and his father was a Ford salesman. It's no surprise, then, that Shepard picked up a 1967 Lincoln Continental in all-black. Just 2,276 of these cars were sold for that model year, which saw the model slowly start to decline after years of success. 

Dax Shephard's 1967 Lincoln ContinentalDax Shepard's 1967 Lincoln Continental, Johnny Hunkkins

Jerry Seinfeld's 1959 Porsche 718 RSK

Jerry Seinfeld is no stranger to beautiful old cars, like this 1959 Porsche 718 RSK. The one-seater, open-top race car was powered by a 1.4L Boxer engine that produced 142 hp. Its storied racing history may have been what attracted Seinfeld to it, or perhaps its clean, swooping lines and gorgeous racing livery, as well as a matte silver color paint job. In 2016, Seinfeld sold his Porsche 718 RSK for $2.9 million.

Jerry Seinfeld's 1959 Porsche 718 RSKJerry Seinfeld and his 1959 Porsche 718 RSK, GoodingandCompany

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Will.i.am's Custom-Built "Dick Tracey Mobile"

Will.i.am is a very unique character, with a very unique taste in cars. So much so that he had West Coast Customs build what he calls a "Dick Tracey Mobile". With an all-aluminum exterior and bucket seats, it reportedly began life as a 1958 VW Beetle before being customized to look like the car from the iconic movie.

Will.i.am's Custom-Built iAMauto Will.i.AM Custom car at SEMA 2013 built by West Coast Customs, Del Rey Customs

Clark Gable's 1935 Duesenberg Convertible JN

Ever owned a car that's 18 feet long? No? Clark Gable did in the 1930s, purchasing an ultra-rare and beautiful 1935 Duesenberg Convertible JN. The car would become a pivotal factor in his love affair with Carole Lombard, taking a 1,300-mile road trip with her in 1941. After Lombard tragically lost her life, Gable sold the car in 1942.

Clark Gable's 1935 Duesenberg Convertible JNGooding & Company: The Clark Gable 1935 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupe, GoodingandCompany 

Buck Jones' 1931 Harley Earl Cadillac

Cowboy acting superstar of the 1930s, Buck Jones had legendary car designer Harley Earl custom-build him a Cadillac. A stunning "boat tail" design featured tail fins, teardrop fenders, and radiator housing. It was powered by a 3.6L V12 engine with drum brakes. Buck Jones' classic Harley Earl Caddy sold for $300,000 at auction in 2006.

File:1931 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton.jpgRex Gray, Wikimedia Commons

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Errol Flynn's 1935 Auburn Speedster

Another legendary movie star with a gorgeous car was Errol Flynn. He owned a 1935 Auburn Speedster. Featuring a supercharged 4.6L straight-eight engine, the Auburn Speedster produced 150 hp and had a top speed of 100 mph, both remarkable figures for the time! Its sweeping fenders, elegant chrome details, and boat tail back defined a new era in car design known as "Art Deco".

File:Auburn Boattail Speedster 851 1935.jpgLSDSL, Wikimedia Commons

Rita Hayworth's 1941 Lincoln Continental

What did one of Hollywood's greatest-ever female icons drive? Why, a 1941 Lincoln Continental, of course. A gorgeous "Paradise Green" color was purchased by the 24-year-old Hayworth, who drove the beautiful car for 30 years before passing it on to her secretary's family. It was later completely restored by private collectors and sold multiple times at auction.

Actress Rita Hayworth poses for a publicity still next to a Georgia-registered Lincoln Continental car, 1941.Donaldson Collection, Getty Images

Jay Leno's 1967 Chevrolet C10

Jay Leno is well-known for having a vast collection of extraordinary cars. Although it's safe to say that his pride and joy is probably his restored 1967 Chevrolet C10, with 168 other cars in his garage. This mint green Chevrolet features a wood-lined bed, lowered suspension, and the original paint. It's powered by a large-block V8 engine and doesn't disappoint for power, although we're not sure which of Jay's cars he drives the most—he's a little spoiled for choice, as it were.

Jay Leno's 1967 Chevrolet C10Holley 1967 Chevy C10 Restomod - Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno's Garage

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Aaron Paul's 1965 Shelby Cobra

Aaron Paul had always dreamed of owning a classic Ford. It doesn't get much more classic than the 1965 Shelby Cobra. Powered by a 7.0L V8 engine, the Shelby Cobra is one of Carroll Shelby's most incredible creations and was voted one of the most iconic cars of all time. Blue with white racing stripes and a top speed of 165 mph, Paul described it as his "dream car".

Aaron Paul's 1965 Shelby CobraAaron Paul Takes His 1965 Shelby Cobra For A Spin & Speaks On His Price Is Right Appearance 4.10.17, The Hollywood Fix

Beyoncé's 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

Beyoncé's Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was a gift from Jay-Z for her 25th birthday. Worth about $1 million, the ultra-luxurious Rolls-Royce was powered by a 4.9L inline-six engine. The four-door saloon is a piece of automotive art in its own right and one of Queen B's favorite rides.

File:1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud (14835776039).jpgMustang Joe, Wikimedia Commons

George Clooney's 1958 Corvette Convertible

George Clooney also has a thing for American classics, as illustrated by his 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Four headlights, a gorgeous chrome grille, painted bright red, and powered by a V8 engine, Clooney's 1958 Corvette was his father's car back in 1958. Inheriting the family heirloom was so special that Clooney rarely takes out this antique piece of excellence.

File:Corvette-je-1958.jpgSaperaud~commonswiki, Wikimedia Commons

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Adam Levine's 1958 Porsche 356A

Dr McDreamy isn't the only one with a penchant for Porsches. Adam Levine's 1958 Porsche 356A is an all-black convertible powered by a rear-mounted flat-four engine that rockets Levine to a top speed of 83.5 mph. The 1958 Porsche 356 was the first production model built by Ferdinand Porsche, and Levine has routinely promoted the Porsche brand.

Adam Levine's 1958 Porsche 356AAdam Levine And Behati Prinsloo Have EXPENSIVE TASTE! Check Out Their 1958 Porsche 356A, X17onlineVideo

Robert Downey Jr's 1965 Corvette Stingray

When Robert Downey Jr made it big in Hollywood, he bought a 1965 Corvette Stingray after he battled and overcame his demons to make Iron Man (2008). His extensive collection now contains many beauties, but none as exquisite as this 1965 Corvette Stingray. Powered by a 6.5L V8 engine, the Stingray produced 425 hp. Renowned for its gorgeous shape and lines, Downey Jr admitted that he couldn't afford a VW GTI prior to Iron Man.

Robert Downey Jr.'s 1965 Corvette StingrayRobert Downey Jr.'s 1965 Chevy Corvette: Enter for your chance to win!, RDJ Dream Cars

Alan Shephard's 1962 Chevrolet Corvette

Alan Shephard was the first American astronaut known to drive a Corvette, beginning something of a tradition among American astronauts. GM gave him a 1962 Corvette as a thank you for his bravery for becoming the first American in space. GM has since made sure that every astronaut drives a Corvette, or another GM car if they so choose.

File:1962 Chevrolet C1 Corvette Roadster (15881367545).jpgSicnag, Wikimedia Commons

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Matthew McConaughey's 1971 Corvette Stingray

That Stingray's awfully popular among America's pop culture icons, isn't it? Next up, Matthew McConaughey's 1971 Corvette Stingray. Alongside more practical vehicles in McConaughey's garage, the third-generation '71 Stingray included a 5.7L V8 engine that produced 370 hp and could do a quarter-mile in 14 seconds at 100 mph.

File:1971 Chevrolet C3 Corvette Convertible (16186256462).jpgSicnag, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Rawlings' 1932 Ford Roadster

Richard Rawlings is one of America's great car restoration specialists. He bought his first car at 14 years old and began his restoration business, Gas Monkey Garage, in his 20s. His personal car, a 1932 Ford Roadster, was a restoration job: a beautiful burgundy red color, flared black fender, and a beige canvas tonneau. Rawlings' personal collection runs at about $1 million.

File:1932 Ford Roadster.jpgIsles Yacht Club, Wikimedia Commons

Kate Moss' 1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

One could describe Kate Moss' 1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud as an "interesting" choice. It has a bizarre front headlight arrangement, with dual thin headlights on either side of the large front grille. The 1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was painted gold and burgundy red and is one of the most unattractive models of Rolls-Royce ever.

File:Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, Bj. 1964 (ret).jpgSpurzem - Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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John Cena's Dodge Hemi Charger

It's no secret that current WWE champion John Cena is a fan of American muscle. His classic car collection illustrates that perfectly, like this 1966 Dodge Hemi Charger, the first generation of the famous muscle car. Powered by a 7.0L V8 engine, the Hemi Charger's rear bucket seats folded down to give more storage space, with a fastback roofline with chromed "CHARGER" lettering in the rear. It changed the muscle car game in the US in a big way and is one of Cena's favorites.

File:1966 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi red.jpgSicnag, Wikimedia Commons

Snoop Dogg's 1966 Pontiac Parisienne

Snoop Dogg's rather crazy 1966 Pontiac Parisienne is a full-sized rear-wheel drive that was built in Canada by General Motors. Kobe Bryant retired in 2016 and gifted Snoop Dogg the car, outfitted with Lakers colors and bearing the faces of Lakers legends, including a picture of Snoop himself dunking a basketball. It's probably one of his most prized now that Mamba is no longer with us.

Snoop Dogg's 1966 Pontiac ParisienneUntouchable Icon: Snoop Dogg's Ultra-Rare Pontiac 'Lakers' Edition!, Hip Hop Hive

Bill Murray's 1981 Maserati BiTurbo

Bill Murray's curious car collection includes this strange Maserati from the early 1980s. Powered by a 2.0L V6 engine with two turbochargers, it was one of the most powerful executive grand tourers of the era. Reported to have cost Murray between $12,000 and $20,000, the 1981 BiTurbo is all about function over form, which typifies the character of Murray perfectly.

File:Maserati Biturbo Frontansicht.JPGKarleHorn, Wikimedia Commons

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Eric Bana's 1974 Ford Falcon XB

Eric Bana's love for his homeland of Australia is evident in this particular choice of car. The 1974 Ford Falcon XB was one of Bana's first loves ever since he was young, as he developed a passion for auto racing in Australia. Produced by Ford Australia between 1973 and 1976, the XB even appeared in a movie that Bana made about his love for the car, Love The Beast (2009).

1974 Ford Falcon XBLove The Beast - Official Trailer, Madman Films

Lady Gaga's 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS

Lady Gaga's car collection is a mixture of classics and brand-new beauties, but few could measure up to the 1969 Chevy Nova SS. The Super Sport was a performance package option for the Chevy Nova, which included a 5.7L V8 that produced 295 hp. Gaga's SS features an all-blue paint job.

File:1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 in Burnished Brown Poly, Front Right, 06-11-2022.jpgElise240SX, Wikimedia Commons

Justin Timberlake's 1967 Pontiac GTO

After falling in love with a 1967 Pontiac GTO in Trouble With The Curve (2012), Timberlake picked up one of his own from a man in Texas who had fully restored it to the days of its glory. Featuring a 6.6L V8 engine that produced 360 hp, the car had a beautiful hood scoop, hood-mounted tachometers, and front disc brakes. The car is bright red.

File:1967 Pontiac GTO (21395939651).jpgGreg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, Wikimedia Commons

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Nick Jonas' 1960 Ford Thunderbird

Elegance personified, that's Nick Jonas' 1960 Ford Thunderbird. White sidewall tires, power windows, seatbelts, and a third tail light were just some of the additions that made the 1960 Ford T-Bird stand out from the crowd. Under the hood, it sports a 5.8L V8 for stunning power while maintaining an air of opulence and finesse.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 06: Nick Jonas is seen on March 06, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.BG015/Bauer-Griffin, Getty Images

Hugh Laurie's 1966 Ford Galaxie 500

Hugh Laurie loves everything about America, including American cars. His American car of choice is the 1966 Ford Galaxie 500. The 1966 full-sized sedan featured a 7.0L Thunderbird V8 engine that produced 345 hp. The car was so popular that it became a police vehicle of choice and was the third best-selling convertible in the US in '66. Laurie and his mechanic who restored the car now share ownership of it.

File:1966 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible (6107846240).jpgsv1ambo, Wikimedia Commons

Kevin Costner's 1966 Ford Mustang GT 350H

Kevin Costner wouldn't be Kevin Costner without owning a vintage Ford Mustang, now would he? This 1966 Ford Mustang GT 350H was one of the "Rent A Racer" cars purchased by rental company Hertz in 1966 as part of a deal between Ford and Hertz to promote both brands. We don't know if Costner ever rented one and then bought it afterwards. The car features a high-powered V8 engine and is well-suited to Costner's tough persona.

File:Ford Mustang GT 350H 1966 (33002031278).jpgRL GNZLZ from Chile, Wikimedia Commons

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Dolly Parton's DTS Platinum Edition Cadillac C10

Dolly Parton has owned many Cadillacs over the years, with a bright pink one bought in 1980 as one of the stand-outs. But so, too, is this one: a Platinum Edition Cadillac C10, specially named after Dolly in 2004 by Cadillac. Adorned with a white diamond exterior paint, leather seats, and a custom emblem that included her signature, it can now be seen at Dollyworld.

1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE DELEGANCE1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE DELEGANCE 29K MILES, LAS VEGAS, NV MOTORCARS GALLERY LTD, Paolo Marinescu 

Nicki Minaj's Murcielago Nightmare

You may recognize a bright pink, decked-out Lamborghini Murcielago from Nicki Minaj's music video for her song "Massive Attack". However, that car would become the center of a legal nightmare for Minaj—who led fans to believe that she owned the hot pink Murcielago (why else would someone choose that color for their car?), but it was instead the property of a rental car company in Las Vegas. Minaj drove the Lamborghini off-road and didn't pay for using it for three days. She was sued by the rental car company.

Lamborghini MurcielagoNicki Minaj - Massive Attack ft. Sean Garrett, Nicki Minaj

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