When you have cash to burn, you might as well spend it on a fancy new whip! Celebrities have driven some fancy cars over the years, and many of those vehicles have definitely lived up to their price tag.
Although the cars we discuss below are only a few of the many eye-popping vehicles high-profile stars have owned, they boast enough cool features to intrigue any auto mechanic student. It’s not hard to see why they’ve caught the attention of certain A-listers.
Bill Gates’ Porsche 959: a Future-Forward Car for a Future-Forward Thinker
The co-founder of Microsoft is one of the most iconic business magnates the world has ever seen, with the immense wealth to match. With that in mind, it isn’t surprising that Bill Gates bought a Porsche 959 back in 1987.
Considered the world’s most advanced supercar at the time, the 959 was also known for being the fastest street-legal production vehicle available, with a top speed of 317 km/h. It’s all-wheel drive system and twin-turbocharged engine were among its standout features, and Gates managed to secure himself one before the car officially went on sale in the United States.
Jay-Z’s Maybach Exelero: a Car Fit for One of the World’s Biggest Rappers
If you have the profile and bank account of Jay-Z and need a new car, you may as well go big or go home. Although the world-famous rapper was once gifted a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport worth USD $2 million by wife Beyoncé, those considering careers in the auto industry may find his ownership of the Maybach Exelero sports car even more noteworthy.
Unveiled in 2005 and manufactured only once, this high-performance vehicle boasted a twin-turbocharged V12 engine, a top speed of 351 km/h, and 700 horsepower. It is also incredibly valuable, having once been bought by fellow rapper Birdman for USD $8 million back in 2011.
Beyoncé’s 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II: a Classic Vehicle for a Modern Icon
Of course, Jay-Z’s wife hasn’t shied away from buying distinctive, extravagant cars herself. Gifted to her as a surprise present for her 25th(!) birthday by her husband, Beyoncé’s 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II Convertible was valued at USD $1 million at the time of purchase.
Anyone looking to become an auto mechanic will appreciate the classic vehicle’s 6.2L V8 engine, which can reach a top speed of 183 km/h. It also boasted electrically operated windows and power steering, both of which are unusual for a Rolls Royce from that era.
Jay Leno’s 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe is a Great Story for Auto Certification Students
Retired talk show host Jay Leno is one of the most famous car enthusiasts Hollywood has seen and has collected hundreds of vehicles over the years. He’s also known to be very meticulous with choosing his cars, and his 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe is a prime example.
Valued at USD $1.8 million, his restored Gullwing Coupe was a racecar beyond its years, known for its completely independent suspension, gull-wing doors, tubular frame construction, and M198 straight six engine, among other features. Leno is only the third person to own the car, and its previous owners had placed it in a storage container during the 1970s and left it there for decades afterward.
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