13 Celebrities Who Have a Classic Car Obsession

When it comes to being a devoted petrol head, there are two types of enthusiasts: people who love cars and people who REALLY love cars, and are prepared to spend thousands — if not millions — collecting them.

Of course, what separates these two types of car enthusiasts the most is cold, hard cash. With limitless money in the bank, we’re sure many car fans would love to indulge in their favourite four wheelers but sadly, most of us have to make do with brochures, car shows and the odd track day experience.

But which famous faces have the biggest and best car collections? We’re here to find out, by looking at 13 celebrities who are obsessed with cars.

1. Chris Evans

Who better to start with than Chris Evans, whose obsession with Ferraris and other classic cars has become the stuff of legend in the world of motoring. Among Evans’ unbelievable collection is a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder previously owned by Steve McQueen, which he purchased for an impressive £6 million. Evans also owns the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, which he failed to sell at the Goodwood Revival in 2015.

2. Rowan Atkinson

 He may be best known as bumbling loner Mr Bean, but Rowan Atkinson has a rather cool collection of cars. Having appeared several times on Top Gear, Atkinson is self-confessed car obsessive, and has a McLaren F1 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage to prove it. Among Atkinson’s vast collection are several luxury classics, including a 1939 BMW 328 and an Aston Martin DB2 — quite the change from Bean’s classic yellow mini.

3. Eric Clapton 

Old ‘Slowhand’ Eric Clapton isn’t just about the music. In his 2007 autobiography, he speaks at length about his love of classic cars, particularly Ferrari, of which he has several. Among the most expensive cars in Clapton’s garage is a specially commissioned one-off Ferrari 458, which he is reputed to have paid close to £3 million for.

4. Steve Coogan 

Another Top Gear regular, Steve Coogan has a passion for cars that extends beyond his private life, and we regularly see cars featured in his comedy shows (Tommy Mustang in Saxondale, for example). In real life, Coogan owns several exotic motors, and has recently invested in a Porsche Carrera 4 after writing off a £100,000 Ferrari. We wouldn’t want to be at the business end of that insurance premium.

5. Simon Cowell

Tight-trousered TV mogul Simon Cowell flutters his fortune on classic cars, and has amassed quite the collection over the years. Since making his millions, Cowell has been spotted in everything from a Bentley Azure to a Jaguar E-Type, and even owns a classic Porsche Speedster. On his 48^th birthday, Cowell is thought to have treated himself to a Bugatti Veyron, the world’s fastest and most expensive production car. Because when you’re Simon Cowell, why not?

6. Idris Elba 

Given his dad worked for Ford, Idris Elba was always destined to be a petrol head. Since finding fame as an actor, Elba has indulged in his passion for motoring, buying several exotic cars including a Bentley Continental GT and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black. He also hosted the BBC documentary series, Idris Elba: King of Speed, in which he travelled around the world taking part in different car races. Nice work, if you can get it.

7. Jay Kay

With more than 50 cars in his collection, Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay is certainly living the rock star dream. The singer is known for his eclectic taste in classic motors, and his collection contains some real rarities, including a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, a Porsche 911 2.7 RS and a BMW 2002 Bauer Cabriolet. He also owns an Aston Martin DB6 Mark 1 Volante, and given there were only 185 ever made, we imagine he paid quite a price for the privilege.

8. Nicholas Cage

Having appeared in hundreds of blockbuster movies, Nicholas Cage had plenty of money to burn on his classic car obsession. And burn it he did, indulging in a massive collection of rare and exotic classic cars, including a 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT, a 1955 Porsche 365 Pre-A Speedster, a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina, and a hugely rare 1963 Jaguar E-Type Semi-Lightweight Competition.

9. Richard Hammond

As you’d expect from a former Top Gear presenter, Richard Hammond has a healthy obsession with cars, and has a fairly sizeable collection locked away on his estate in Herefordshire. Among Hammond’s most prized cars is a 1982 Porsche 911 SC, a Porsche 928 and a Porsche 911 Carrera S. Despite this passion for Porsche, he also owns a 1969 Dodge Charger, a classic Land Rover Defender, and a Jaguar E-Type.

10. James Martin

When James Martin isn’t busy rustling up something delicious on our TV screens, he’s indulging his love of classic cars and motorsport. Martin reputedly owns around twenty cars, including a 1965 Ferrari 275 and a collection of rare Mini Coopers from the 1960s. The TV chef raced in the notorious Mille Miglia in 2008, and won first prize at the 2013 Brands Hatch Mini Festival.

11. Nick Mason

After years playing drums in prog-rock band Pink Floyd, Nick Mason has accrued an extraordinary collection of cars. In fact, Mason’s collection is so big, he had to have two aircraft hangers built to house them all, and the cars are squashed in barely a foot apart. Among Mason’s most expensive cars is a Ferrari 250 GTO, which should fetch around £46 million at auction if he ever wanted to sell.

12. Tim Allen

Best known as the voice of Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen has steadily built an impressive car collection over the years, an obsession which possibly extends from his role in Home Improvement in the early 90s. Allen easily has one of the best collections of American muscle cars in the world, with a 1946 Ford 292 V8, Chevy 350 and a 1968 Shelby GT500 KR among his collection.

13. Jay Leno

Of all the famous car fanatics, Jay Leno is the undisputed king of cars. The former Tonight Show host has such a big collection, he employs four mechanics and four fabricators to take care of his cars on a full-time basis, making sure they’re always looking their showroom best. Among his extensive collection is a 1909 Baker Electric, a 1955 Buick Roadmaster, a pre-war Bugatti, and a Stanley Steamer.

Whether you own one car or 100, you can trust Simoniz to keep it looking its best for longer. To browse our completed range of car care products, visit the Simoniz homepage.

Image credits: Wikimedia Creative Commons: [1] [2] [3] Flickr Creative Commons: Alan Light Lwp Kommunikáció