Rock stars and their cars tell us more about music history than platinum records ever could. From Elvis shooting his troublesome Pantera to Eddie Van Halen recording his Lamborghini for “Panama,” these vehicles capture moments that shaped rock and roll culture. Some musicians, like Pete Townshend, saved for years to buy their dream cars. Others, like Keith Moon, destroyed theirs in spectacular fashion.
This collection spotlights seventeen remarkable vehicles owned by music legends. Each of these 15 cars reveals something unique about their owners – Neil Young’s environmental consciousness, Eric Clapton’s love of Ferrari history, and Lady Gaga’s flair for combining classic style with modern touches.
15. Pete Townshend’s Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
The Who’s guitarist spent five years saving up for his Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Limousine. Most rock stars would finance their cars, but Townshend wanted to buy his outright. Mercedes only built 124 six-door limousines between 1963 and 1981, making this one of the rarest luxury cars of its era.
The 600 Pullman required serious dedication to maintain. Its complex hydraulic systems controlled everything from the windows to the trunk lid, and finding mechanics who understood these systems proved challenging. Dictators and world leaders often chose these cars for their imposing presence, but Townshend picked his for the engineering excellence and quiet cabin – perfect for writing music between shows.
14. Eric Clapton’s Ferrari SP12 EC
Ferrari’s special projects team took on Eric Clapton’s dream car request in 2012. The guitar legend wanted them to transform a modern 458 Italia into something that captured the spirit of his beloved 512BB. Clapton had owned three different 512BBs over the years, and this new creation would combine their classic styling with modern Ferrari technology.
The £3 million project resulted in a completely unique Ferrari. Every body panel received custom treatment, and the two-tone paint scheme drew direct inspiration from vintage Ferraris. The SP12 EC marked the first time Ferrari built a special project car for a musician, and Clapton still uses it as his regular car in Surrey. When asked about the cost, Clapton simply said it was worth every penny to own a piece of Ferrari history that he helped create.
13. Billy Gibbons’ CadZZilla
Boyd Coddington’s shop transformed a 1948 Cadillac Series 2 Sedanette into CadZZilla for ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. The build consumed nearly $1 million and thousands of workshop hours. While most custom cars follow established patterns, Gibbons pushed Coddington to break new ground with every aspect of the design.
Three decades later, CadZZilla stands out for its clean design and perfect proportions. Custom car builders still study photos of this car to understand how Coddington achieved its flowing lines. Gibbons drives CadZZilla regularly, proving that sometimes the most radical customs can also be practical cars. The Cadillac’s air suspension lets it handle modern roads while maintaining its aggressive stance.
12. Keith Richards’ Bentley S3
The Rolling Stones guitarist bought one of just 68 right-hand drive 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spurs. Richards nicknamed the car ‘Blue Lena’ after singer Lena Horne and quickly turned it into a rock and roll legend. The custom modifications included dark rear windows, a high-end Philips record player, and several hidden compartments throughout the car.
Blue Lena carried Richards and his bandmates on countless adventures through Europe. The car proved perfect for long-distance touring, combining luxury with reliable engineering. In 2015, Goodwood Revival auctioned Blue Lena for $763,000, with bidders drawn to both its mechanical condition and rich history with the Stones.
11. Eddie Van Halen’s Lamborghini Miura
Eddie Van Halen drove his 1972 Lamborghini Miura S through Los Angeles for almost 30 years. The guitar legend treated this rare supercar like a daily driver, using it for everything from grocery runs to studio sessions. Most Miura owners kept their cars in climate-controlled garages, but Van Halen believed supercars should see regular use.
The Miura made an unexpected contribution to rock history when Van Halen recorded its engine sound for the hit song ‘Panama.’ Engineers ran microphones along the exhaust pipes while Eddie revved the V12 engine, capturing the distinctive howl that opens the track. The recording session proved challenging, as the Miura’s engine kept overheating in the studio parking lot.
10. Keith Moon’s Ferrari Dino
The Who’s drummer Keith Moon bought a 1972 Ferrari Dino GTS at the height of his success. Moon chose the Dino for its handling and style, preferring its nimble character to larger Ferraris. The car suited his flashy personality perfectly, with its bright paint and chrome details drawing attention wherever he drove.
The Dino met its end after a typical Moon night out. After drinking at a local pub, Moon handed the keys to a group of bikers he had just met. The impromptu test drive ended with the Ferrari in a ditch, adding another chapter to Moon’s lengthy history of destroyed vehicles.
9. Neil Young’s LincVolt
Neil Young took a 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV and transformed it into an environmental statement. The conversion cost over $1 million but created something unique: a massive luxury car that could run on biodiesel, regular diesel, or pure electric power. Young’s team fitted the car with an electric motor and a small turbine engine that could generate additional power when needed.
The LincVolt project proved that classic cars could adapt to modern environmental concerns. Young’s hybrid system helped the massive Lincoln achieve 65 miles per gallon, matching the efficiency of much smaller hybrid cars. The project inspired other musicians to explore green technology, showing that car culture and environmental consciousness could coexist.
8. Will.i.am’s Delor.I.Am
West Coast Customs stripped a DMC DeLorean to its bare frame for Will.i.am’s custom project. The $700,000 build replaced almost every part of the original car. The team kept the iconic gullwing doors but redesigned nearly everything else, creating a vehicle that barely resembled its starting point.
The finished car generated controversy among DeLorean fans. After its completion in 2012, the Delor.I.Am disappeared from public view. Car enthusiasts still debate whether such extensive modifications to a classic DeLorean helped or hurt the model’s legacy.
7. Bryan Ferry’s Messerschmitt KR200
Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry turned heads when he chose a tiny Messerschmitt KR200 as his personal transport in the 1970s. The three-wheeled microcar used a motorcycle-sized engine that produced just 10 horsepower. Its fighter plane-inspired canopy and tandem seating made it stand out among the Rolls-Royces and Jaguars favored by other rock stars.
Messerschmitt built the KR200 during a post-war ban on aircraft production. The company’s aircraft design experience showed in the car’s aerodynamic shape and bubble canopy. Ferry’s choice reflected his interest in post-war European design and his willingness to buck conventional rock star traditions.
6. Ginger Baker’s Jensen FF
Cream’s drummer owned three Jensen FFs during his time with the band. The Jensen FF pioneered four-wheel drive in passenger cars, making it perfect for British weather. Baker loved these cars so much he kept replacing them with newer models as soon as they became available.
His dedication to the Jensen FF reached new heights during a stay in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Baker arranged to have one of his cars flown to the island, paying more in shipping costs than the car’s value. The car arrived safely but proved completely unsuitable for Jamaica’s roads and climate.
5. Lady Gaga’s Lincoln Continental
Lady Gaga picked a 1965 Lincoln Continental and made it uniquely hers. The custom build included an eggshell white paint job and eye-catching red leather interior. Oversized multi-spoke wheels gave the classic Lincoln a modern stance while keeping its elegant profile.
The Continental joined Gaga’s diverse car collection, sitting alongside modern supercars and luxury vehicles. Her garage includes an Audi R8, a classic Rolls-Royce Corniche, and an understated 1980s Mercedes diesel.
4. Elvis Presley’s De Tomaso Pantera
Elvis bought a used De Tomaso Pantera in 1974 for his girlfriend Linda Thompson. The Italian-American hybrid combined Italian styling with Ford V8 power, creating a potent but problematic mix. Constant electrical issues and overheating problems pushed Elvis’s famous temper to its limits.
The King’s patience with the Pantera finally snapped in memorable fashion. Elvis pulled out his gun and shot the car twice – once through the steering wheel and once through the driver’s door. The bullet-riddled Pantera lasted two more years in Elvis’s collection before he sold it in 1976.
3. Steven Tyler’s Hennessey Venom GT Spyder
Aerosmith’s frontman grabbed the first convertible version of the Hennessey Venom GT in 2012. The Texas-built hypercar started life as a Lotus Exige before Hennessey added a 1200-horsepower engine. The car set a Guinness World Record by hitting 200mph in just 14.5 seconds, with a top speed of 270mph.
Tyler sold his Venom GT at auction in 2017 for $800,000. He sweetened the deal by including a week’s stay at his Maui beach house. All proceeds went to charity, turning the sale of this rare supercar into a significant fundraising event.
2. Paul McCartney’s Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL
The former Beatle ordered his Mercedes 500 SEL through MPL Communications in 1985. The Lorinser-modified Mercedes featured custom speakers, sports bodywork, and distinctive Monoblock wheels. The lowered suspension and body kit transformed the conservative German sedan into something more fitting for a rock legend.
McCartney kept the car until 1989, after which it changed hands several times. A full restoration in 2010 brought the car back to its former glory. The Mercedes later sold at auction for £28,323, a modest sum for a car with such famous history.
1. Brian Johnson’s Lola T70
AC/DC’s singer took his love of fast cars to the extreme with a 1965 Lola T70 race car. The 640-horsepower Ford V8 engine made this one of the most powerful cars in Johnson’s extensive collection. He raced the Lola regularly, sharing tracks with cars worth millions more.
Johnson sold his Lola T70 in 2016, describing it as the most intimidating vehicle he’d ever driven. The car required intense concentration and physical strength to drive, even for short periods. His collection still includes various Bentleys and Ferraris, but Johnson admits nothing matched the raw excitement of the Lola.
