{"id":76948,"date":"2026-07-27T19:18:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T23:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/?p=76948"},"modified":"2026-07-27T19:19:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T23:19:23","slug":"celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrity Car Culture Shaped by Iconic Stars and Their Classic Rides"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Why Do Celebrities Gravitate Toward Iconic Cars? The Interplay of Status, Identity, and Cultural Capital<\/p>\n<p>The persistent association between celebrities and prestigious automobiles is not merely a matter of personal taste or disposable income. Rather, it reflects a more complex interplay of status signaling, identity construction, and the accrual of cultural capital. While the surface narrative suggests that famous individuals simply indulge in luxury, a closer examination reveals that their automotive choices often serve as extensions of their public personas\u2014vehicles, quite literally, for the projection of image and aspiration.<\/p>\n<p>Consider the repeated appearance of Rolls-Royce models\u2014Silver Shadow, Phantom V, Silver Wraith\u2014across figures as diverse as Michael Caine, John Lennon, Roy Orbison, and Richard Burton. The evidence suggests that such cars functioned as more than transportation; they were mobile stages, conferring gravitas and exclusivity. Yet this phenomenon is not universal nor static. The selection of a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso by Steve McQueen or a Lamborghini Miura by Rod Stewart points to a different, more performance-oriented narrative, one that aligns with the mythos of speed, rebellion, and masculine prowess. The heterogeneity of these choices complicates any monolithic reading of celebrity car culture, indicating that the automobile\u2019s symbolic function is context-dependent and contingent on the owner\u2019s desired self-presentation.<\/p>\n<p>How Do Celebrity Car Choices Reflect and Shape Broader Social Dynamics?<\/p>\n<p>The vehicles chosen by public figures do not exist in a vacuum; they both mirror and shape broader social currents. The adoption of the Mini Cooper S De Ville by Paul McCartney or the Triumph Herald by The Beatles during the 1960s, for instance, can be read as a subtle endorsement of British engineering at a moment of national cultural ascendancy. Conversely, the embrace of American muscle and luxury\u2014Cadillac DeVille, Ford Thunderbird, or the 1964 Ford Galaxie\u2014by figures like James Brown, Muhammad Ali, and The Beatles during their U.S. tours underscores the reciprocal influence between celebrity and national identity.<\/p>\n<p>Temporal anomalies in the data are instructive. The acquisition of a BMW 507 by Elvis Presley during his military service in Germany, or the later restoration and museum display of that same car, highlights how the meaning of such objects evolves. What was once a personal indulgence becomes, over time, a historical artifact\u2014its value and significance refracted through the lens of collective memory and nostalgia. The fact that BMW lost money on every 507 sold, yet the model now commands reverence, exposes the unpredictable afterlife of celebrity possessions and the market\u2019s tendency to retroactively assign value.<\/p>\n<p>Are There Structural Blind Spots or Vested Interests in the Celebrity-Car Nexus?<\/p>\n<p>A critical reading must acknowledge the structural limitations and vested interests at play. The recurring presence of certain marques\u2014Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari\u2014raises questions about the role of manufacturers in cultivating celebrity associations, whether through direct sponsorship, preferential access, or the subtle orchestration of publicity. The evidence for systematic manufacturer involvement is patchy, but the clustering of high-profile owners around specific models suggests that these relationships are not entirely organic.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the narrative of celebrity car ownership often omits the realities of maintenance, reliability, and the practical burdens of such vehicles. The Austin Maxi crash involving John Lennon, or Michael Caine\u2019s late acquisition of a driving license, gestures toward the less glamorous side of ownership\u2014risk, inconvenience, and the eventual retreat from driving altogether. These stories complicate the myth of effortless luxury and suggest that, for some, the car is as much a liability as a status symbol.<\/p>\n<p>Who Is Affected Beyond the Obvious? The Ripple Effects of Celebrity Endorsement<\/p>\n<p>The influence of celebrity car choices extends well beyond the individuals themselves. Auction prices for vehicles with celebrity provenance\u2014such as the $2.3 million fetched by John Lennon\u2019s Rolls-Royce Phantom V or the \u00a3763,100 for Keith Richards\u2019 Bentley S3\u2014demonstrate the enduring premium attached to such associations. Yet this market is not evenly accessible; it privileges collectors and institutions, often rendering these artifacts inaccessible to the broader public except as museum pieces or media spectacles.<\/p>\n<p>There are also second-order consequences for the brands involved. The Volvo P1800\u2019s association with Roger Moore in &#8220;The Saint&#8221; or The Who, for example, arguably contributed to the model\u2019s cult status, influencing both sales and the trajectory of Volvo\u2019s brand identity. The evidence here is circumstantial but persuasive: celebrity endorsement, even when informal, can have durable commercial and cultural effects.<\/p>\n<p>What Should an Informed Reader Conclude About the Intersection of Fame and Automobility?<\/p>\n<p>The relationship between celebrities and their cars is best understood as a dynamic negotiation between personal expression, public expectation, and the shifting tides of cultural meaning. While the mainstream narrative foregrounds glamour and excess, a more nuanced interpretation recognizes the performative, sometimes precarious, nature of these choices. The evidence suggests that cars serve as both mirrors and makers of celebrity identity, their significance shaped by context, audience, and the passage of time.<\/p>\n<p>For the discerning observer, the lesson is not to uncritically valorize the trappings of fame, but to interrogate the mechanisms by which objects accrue meaning and value. The celebrity-car nexus is a site of aspiration, emulation, and contestation\u2014its stories as much about the societies that consume them as the individuals who drive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"\/car-news\/slideshow\/classy-stars-their-classic-cars\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"125\" alt=\"Famous people and nice cars have always had a close connection.\" title=\"Famous people and nice cars have always had a close connection.\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Famous people and nice cars have always had a close connection.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve had a delve into the archive to have a look at what some of the classy stars of the past \u2013 and sometimes still the present day too \u2013 got to drive and own, like <strong>Michael Caine<\/strong> with his <strong>Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow<\/strong> (pictured). Some of their choices may surprise you:<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Rolling Stones &#8211; 1935 Bentley 3\u00bd Litre <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Rolling Stones - 1935 Bentley 3\u00bd Litre \" data-copyright=\"Michael Ward-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>A photo of The Rolling Stones, early in their fame, from 1964. From left to right: <strong>Brian Jones<\/strong>, <strong>Mick Jagger<\/strong>, <strong>Bill Wyman<\/strong>, <strong>Charlie Watts<\/strong> and <strong>Keith Richards<\/strong>. The 3\u00bd Litre was the first new Bentley model produced after Rolls-Royce bought the company in 1931.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>John Lennon &#8211; Rolls-Royce Phantom V<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-2.jpg\" alt=\"John Lennon - Rolls-Royce Phantom V\" data-copyright=\"Keystone-France Gamma-Keystone-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo from 1966 we see John Lennon of The Beatles with his son Julian and his Rolls-Royce. The car was originally delivered to Lennon in 1965, but was damaged in 1966. He had it repaired, had it repainted in yellow, and then employed artist <strong>Steve Weaver<\/strong> to paint psychedelic motifs around the car. He also had extra equipment installed, including a <strong>refrigerator<\/strong>, <strong>record-player<\/strong>, <strong>television<\/strong> and a <strong>telephone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It ended up in a museum, and was then sold at auction in 1985 for $2.3 million \u2013 a record auction price for a car. It\u2019s now owned by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Beatles &#8211; Triumph Herald <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-3.jpg\" alt=\"The Beatles - Triumph Herald \" data-copyright=\"Evening Standard-Hulton Archive-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>When Lennon ordered the Rolls-Royce (previous picture), he didn\u2019t actually have a driving licence. Happily for him he passed his driving test and received his licence in February 1965. Here he\u2019s celebrating the occasion with other members of the band. From left to right, <strong>George Harrison<\/strong>, Lennon, <strong>Paul McCartney<\/strong> and <strong>Ringo Starr<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Steve McQueen &#8211; Ferrari 250 GT Lusso<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-4.jpg\" alt=\"Steve McQueen - Ferrari 250 GT Lusso\" data-copyright=\"Leo Fuchs-Getty Images \" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo taken in Germany we see McQueen with his wife <strong>Neile Adams<\/strong>. He was a huge fan of cars in general and Ferraris especially, and owned at least four of them. This particular car was later sold at auction in 2007 for $2.3 million. It featured a 3.0-litre V12 engine; 351 examples were produced between 1962 and 1964.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Mick Jagger &#8211; Aston Martin DB6<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-5.jpg\" alt=\"Mick Jagger - Aston Martin DB6\" data-copyright=\"Daily Mirror-Mirrorpix-Getty Images \" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In August 1966 the Aston Martin owned by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones had a collision in central London with a Ford Anglia. In this photo Jagger is talking to a policeman while his girlfriend <strong>Chrissie Shrimpton<\/strong> waits in the car.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Twiggy \u2013 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-6.jpg\" alt=\"Twiggy \u2013 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL\" data-copyright=\"Gavin Kent-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>British model and actress <strong>Lesley Hornby<\/strong> \u2013 better known as Twiggy \u2013 was just 18 when she bought her Mercedes in 1967. Here she\u2019s pictured with the car in London in June 1976; She sold the car in 1978, and later the car was bought by Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay, in 1993.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Keith Moon<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-7.jpg\" alt=\"Keith Moon\" data-copyright=\"Daily Mirror-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Keith Moon was the drummer for the British rock group <strong>The Who<\/strong>. Here we see him at his home in Chertsey, England, with his daughter Amanda in October 1972, with some of the cars in his collection. Moon is sitting on a damaged <strong>Ferrari Dino 246 GT<\/strong>, and just behind are (left to right) a <strong>Mercedes-Benz SLC<\/strong>, a <strong>Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Drophead Coup\u00e9<\/strong>, and a <strong>Ford Model T<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>On the right is a 1939 <strong>Chrysler Wimbledon Limousine<\/strong>, a British-built model (it has right-hand drive); some reports suggest this car was used by the US ambassador to the UK for a period during the second world war.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>James Brown &#038; Muhammad Ali \u2013 1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-8.jpg\" alt=\"James Brown &#038; Muhammad Ali \u2013 1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible\" data-copyright=\"Robert Abbott-Sengstacke-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>American singer <strong>James Brown<\/strong> and boxing champion <strong>Muhammad Ali<\/strong> (then known as Cassius Clay) smile and greet the crowd while participating in the annual Bud Billiken parade in Chicago in August 1966.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Tony Curtis &#8211; Alvis TE21<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-9.jpg\" alt=\"Tony Curtis - Alvis TE21\" data-copyright=\"Freddie Cole-Daily Mirror-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The American actor Tony Curtis in his Alvis TE21 car in Knightsbridge, central London, in September 1965. Power for this model came from a 3.0-litre straight-six cylinder engine, which delivered 130bhp. 352 examples were made between 1963 and 1966. The British firm Alvis gave up making cars in 1967 but continued to make armoured vehicles for the military; Alvis is today part of BAE Systems.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Who \u2013 Volvo P1800 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-10.jpg\" alt=\"The Who \u2013 Volvo P1800 \" data-copyright=\"Chris Morphet-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>British band The Who pose in front of a Volvo P1800, in 1966. Pictured left to right: <strong>Pete Townshend<\/strong>, <strong>Keith Moon<\/strong>, <strong>Roger Daltrey<\/strong>, and <strong>John Entwistle<\/strong>. The P1800 was one of the most celebrated Volvos of the 1960s; it arrived in 1961, and was powered by a 1.8-litre engine, later replaced with a 2.0-litre unit.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Clint Eastwood \u2013 Austin-Healey 100M <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-11.jpg\" alt=\"Clint Eastwood \u2013 Austin-Healey 100M \" data-copyright=\"Michael Ochs Archives-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The American actor and film director Clint Eastwood looking ice-cool at the wheel of his Austin-Healey 100M outside his home in Los Angeles, in June 1956. The 100 was built in Britain and launched in 1953, and featured a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine that delivered 90bhp; the 100M version arrived in 1955 was faster, delivering 22% more power.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Elvis Presley \u2013 Ford Thunderbird<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-12.jpg\" alt=\"Elvis Presley \u2013 Ford Thunderbird\" data-copyright=\"Michael Ochs Archives-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo we see Elvis at the wheel of his Ford Thunderbird in 1956, the year he became famous throughout America and beyond. Introduced in 1955, the Thunderbird brought some much-needed glamour to the Ford range in America. Power came from a 4.8-litre V8 engine, with an option for a 5.1-litre unit.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Marvin Gaye \u2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom V<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-13.jpg\" alt=\"Marvin Gaye \u2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom V\" data-copyright=\"John Minihan-Evening Standard-Hulton Archive-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo from 1976 we see the American singer Marvin Gaye stroll through the streets of Notting Hill, west London, in October 1976. Power for the car came from a 6.2-litre V8. Built between 1959 and 1968, 518 examples of this model were produced, and many were bought by famous people like Gaye.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Led Zeppelin \u2013 Jaguar S-Type<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-14.jpg\" alt=\"Led Zeppelin \u2013 Jaguar S-Type\" data-copyright=\"Dick Barnett-Redferns-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The British rock band pose in front of a Jaguar S-Type in central London in December 1968, at the start of their\u00a0fame. Left to right: <strong>John Paul Jones<\/strong>, <strong>Jimmy Page<\/strong>, <strong>Robert Plant<\/strong> and <strong>John Bonham<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The S-Type was built between 1963 and 1968, with power coming from a 3.4-litre or 3.8-litre straight-six cylinder engine.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Roger Moore \u2013 Volvo P1800<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-15.jpg\" alt=\"Roger Moore \u2013 Volvo P1800\" data-copyright=\"Len Trievnor-Express-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The English actor Roger Moore opens the door of his Volvo P1800 for <strong>Isabelle McMillan<\/strong> September 1965, in a scene from the television series &#8216;The Saint&#8217;. This popular British TV show did much to make the Volvo famous; it also did much for the fame of Roger Moore, who went on to play the role of <strong>James Bond<\/strong> in seven films between 1973 and 1985.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Roy Orbison \u2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom V<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-16.jpg\" alt=\"Roy Orbison \u2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom V\" data-copyright=\"Wesley-Keystone-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Yes, it\u2019s another appearance for the Phantom V. This time the car is with American singer and guitarist Roy Orbison, in London in May 1970.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Beatles \u2013 1964 Ford Galaxie<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-17.jpg\" alt=\"The Beatles \u2013 1964 Ford Galaxie\" data-copyright=\"Keystone-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Beatlemania<\/strong> was in full swing in June 1964 when the band landed at Adelaide airport during their Australian tour. The Galaxie was launched by Ford in 1959, and this 1964 example is one of the final models made in the model\u2019s second generation; the Galaxie was redesigned for the 1965 model year.<\/p>\n<p>Power mostly came from V8 engines of various sizes, though a six-cylinder option was available as a low-cost model.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>John Lennon \u2013 Austin Maxi<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-18.jpg\" alt=\"John Lennon \u2013 Austin Maxi\" data-copyright=\"Daily Mirror-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>When he was a child Lennon spent his summer holidays with relatives in Durness, on the coast of northern Scotland. In June 1969, he decided to visit it with his family: new wife <strong>Yoko Ono<\/strong>, with her daughter <strong>Kyoko<\/strong>, and Lennon\u2019s son <strong>Julian<\/strong>. He borrowed an Austin Maxi \u2013 a car that had only just gone on sale \u2013 from the Apple Records company (owned by The Beatles), presumably to keep a low profile.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately they never made it to Durness; the car crashed into a ditch about 40 miles from the village, and Lennon spent five days in hospital being treated for injuries. The Maxi was an innovative car in many ways, but it was not very well built, and was unreliable. Around 500,000 were produced between 1969 and 1981.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Rod Stewart \u2013 Lamborghini Miura P400<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-19.jpg\" alt=\"Rod Stewart \u2013 Lamborghini Miura P400\" data-copyright=\"Victor Blackman-Express-Hulton Archives-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo we see British rock star Rod Stewart with his Lamborghini Miura, in September 1971. A Rolls-Royce Phantom V is in the background. Unveiled in 1966, the Miura was the first supercar with the engine placed in the middle of the car, like in Formula One race cars. Power came from a 3.9-litre V12 engine. Stewart later bought a Miura P400S and Miura SV.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Alice Cooper &#038; Keith Moon &#8211; Rolls-Royces<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-20.jpg\" alt=\"Alice Cooper &#038; Keith Moon - Rolls-Royces\" data-copyright=\"Eddie Sanderson-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>American singer Alice Cooper (left) with his friend Keith Moon, in Los Angeles in June 1976. Cooper is sitting on a <strong>Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow<\/strong>, while Moon is with a 1929 <strong>Rolls-Royce Phantom I<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Silver Shadow was launched in 1965, with power coming from a 6.2-litre V8; in 1970, the engine became a 6.75-litre V8. The model is the most-produced Rolls-Royce ever, with <strong>30,057<\/strong> built up to 1980. The Rolls-Royce Phantom I was produced between 1925 and 1931; 3512 were built, including 1240 of them at the Rolls-Royce factory in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was powered by a 7.7-litre straight six cylinder engine.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Steve McQueen &#8211; Ferrari 275 GTS Convertible <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-21.jpg\" alt=\"Steve McQueen - Ferrari 275 GTS Convertible \" data-copyright=\"James Drake-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s June 1966 and here we see McQueen giving this Ferrari 275 GTS Convertible a run on the Riverside Raceway, in California. Produced between 1964 and 1966, 200 examples of this model were built; power came from a 260bhp 3.3-litre V12 engine.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Richard Burton \u2013 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Drophead Coup\u00e9<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-22.jpg\" alt=\"Richard Burton \u2013 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Drophead Coup\u00e9\" data-copyright=\"Harry Fox-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>British actor Richard Burton is visiting Merton College in Oxford, England, to discuss a new film, in February 1966. This magnificent Rolls-Royce was built between 1959 and 1962, with power coming from a 6.2-litre V8.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Dean Martin \u2013 Jaguar E-Type<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-23.jpg\" alt=\"Dean Martin \u2013 Jaguar E-Type\" data-copyright=\"NBCU Photo Bank-NBC Universal-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>American signer and actor Dean Martin arriving at the NBC Studios in Burbank, California, in his <strong>Jaguar E Type<\/strong>, in February 1966. Sold in America as the <strong>XK-E<\/strong>, the model is the most famous car Jaguar has ever built. Produced between 1961 and 1974, power initially came from a 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine, though a V12 would be fitted from 1971 onwards.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>John Lennon \u2013 Radford Mini de Ville<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-24.jpg\" alt=\"John Lennon \u2013 Radford Mini de Ville\" data-copyright=\"Keystone Features-Hulton Archive-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s November 1967 and we see Lennon in a customised Radford Mini \u2013 painted in psychedelic motifs &#8211; owned by George Harrison. The car is still owned today by Harrison\u2019s widow Olivia.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Richard Burton &#038; Elizabeth Taylor \u2013Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-25.jpg\" alt=\"Richard Burton &#038; Elizabeth Taylor \u2013Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith\" data-copyright=\"Keystone-France Gamma-Keystone-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>This famous couple leave the Dorchester Hotel in central London to get into a <strong>Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith<\/strong> limousine, in December 1962. We believe this particular model is a 1956 model \u2013 it features a 4.9-litre engine, with six cylinders. 1883 examples of the Silver Wraith were built between 1946 and 1958.\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Elvis Presley \u2013 BMW 507<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-26.jpg\" alt=\"Elvis Presley \u2013 BMW 507\" data-copyright=\"Keystone-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Elvis was drafted into the US Army in early 1958, at a time when he was extremely famous. Later that year he was posted to West Germany. He decided he needed a car, and chose a second-hand 3.2-litre V8 BMW 507 at a local BMW dealer. In December as shown in this photo he was presented with the keys to it by German TV personality <strong>Uschi Siebert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Elvis had its colour changed to red, and shipped it back home when he returned to the US, and sold it shortly after. A later owner sold it to BMW in 2014 on condition it be restored; this took two years, and it\u2019s now on display at the BMW Museum in Munich. The 507 is certainly beautiful, but the car was something of a disaster for BMW; just 254 were made, and it\u2019s believed that BMW lost money on each one it sold.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Paul McCartney \u2013 Mini Cooper S De Ville<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-27.jpg\" alt=\"Paul McCartney \u2013 Mini Cooper S De Ville\" data-copyright=\"Ron Hallett-Daily Mirror-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s now February 1969, and here\u2019s Paul McCartney and girlfriend <strong>Linda Eastman<\/strong> leaving the Apple Records recording studios in central London. Paul and Linda got married later that year; the car was customised by Harold Radford in 1965. It was sold and ended up in Los Angeles; fully restored in 2001, it was sold at auction in Illinois, USA, in 2018 for $235,500 (\u00a3183,000\/\u20ac210,000).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Johnny Hallyday \u2013 Triumph TR3<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-28.jpg\" alt=\"Johnny Hallyday \u2013 Triumph TR3\" data-copyright=\"Pierre Vauthey-Sygma-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Johnny Hallyday was arguably France\u2019s first rockstar. In this photo from 1960 we see him at the wheel of a Triumph TR3 in central Paris. Early TR3s featured a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine that delivered 95bhp. Later examples had a 2.1-litre engine, with 105bhp of power. Around 75,000 TR3s were made between 1955 and 1962, with most being sold in the USA.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Jackson Five &#038; Diana Ross \u2013 Jaguar E-Type <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-29.jpg\" alt=\"The Jackson Five &#038; Diana Ross \u2013 Jaguar E-Type \" data-copyright=\"Bettmann-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo from 1970 we see The Jackson 5, the famous pop singer group, where Michael Jackson began his singing career at the age of five along with his four brothers, posing with the singer Diana Ross on her 1967 Jaguar XK-E (E-Type). This car was sold at auction in 2016 for $220,000.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>John Lennon \u2013 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-30.jpg\" alt=\"John Lennon \u2013 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman\" data-copyright=\"Watford-Mirrorpix-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>After the crash mentioned earlier in this story, apparently Lennon decided driving wasn\u2019t for him and he employed drivers thereafter. He took delivery of this four-door Pullman in February 1970; it featured added equipment such as a Philips record-player. This photo was taken in July 1971 in London, but two months later Lennon moved to New York City, never to return to the UK.<\/p>\n<p>He sold it to fellow-Beatle <strong>George Harrison<\/strong>, who sold it in 1975 to the American singer <strong>Mary Wilson<\/strong>, of <strong>The Supremes<\/strong>. It was restored in the 1990s by Mercedes-Benz, and was eventually sold to a new owner in 2024. 2677 Mercedes 600s were built between 1964 and 1981, including 304 four-door Pullmans like this one.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Michael Caine &#8211; Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-31.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Caine - Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow\" data-copyright=\"Paul Harris-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In this photo from May 1982 we see the actor Michael Caine with his Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, outside his home in Beverly Hills, California. Caine didn\u2019t pass his driving test until he was the age of 50, around the time this photo was taken. Before then, he relied on public transport and, when he became wealthy, taxis and drivers. He then gave up driving again at the age of 70.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Keith Richards &#8211; Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/celebrity-car-culture-shaped-by-iconic-stars-and-their-classic-rides-32.jpg\" alt=\"Keith Richards - Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur\" data-copyright=\"Norman Potter-Express-Hulton Archive-Getty Images\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Last but not least, this Bentley is surely one of the most famous cars owned by a musician. This photo is from June 1967, and Richards is posing with his 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur. It featured extra equipment, including a Philips record-player. Earlier in 1967 Richards had taken the car on a famous trip through Europe to Morocco, with <strong>Anita Pallenberg<\/strong>; he and Pallenberg would later have three children together, before splitting up in 1979.<\/p>\n<p>Richards called the Bentley the \u2018Blue Lena\u2019, in homage to the American singer <strong>Lena Horne<\/strong>. It was one of just 68 built in right-hand drive, and featured a 6.2-litre V8. Richards sold the car in 1978; a major restoration took place around 2006, and the car was sold at auction in 2015 for <strong>\u00a3763,100<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":76949,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76948"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76950,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76948\/revisions\/76950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}