10 famous celebrity-owned cars

Wealth has its privileges, including the ability to drive some of the coolest cars ever made. Here’s a look at 10 celebrity-owned vehicles--some of which that make us wish we had chosen a career in show business.

Hugh Laurie’s 1956 Ford Galaxie Convertible

Laurie’s character on the hit TV show House was known for embracing excess. So it’s fitting that the real-life actor would tool around town in a vehicle with a massive 428 ci V-8 engine under its hood. Hey, he can afford the gas bill.

Jay Leno’s Morgan Three-Wheeler

It’s impossible to write about celebrity-owned cars and not include a model or two from Jay Leno’s collection. This classic from 1932 weighs less than 900 lbs. and is powered by a 990cc V-twin engine. Word is that Leno will soon be out of a job, but we suspect that his retirement years will be more than comfortable.

Simon Cowell’s Model B Hot Rod

Cowell is known for his pickiness, which explains why he would settle for nothing less than a custom-built 1932 Ford modified with a flathead V-8 engine. His ownership of such a fine machine is just one more reason to despise the acid-tongued former American Idol judge.
Jay Leno’s 1909 Stanley Steamer

Alternative fuel aficionados take note: this relic of a bygone era runs on hot water and is made largely from renewable resources like wood. Perhaps that’s why the original manual offered advice on what to do if the Steamer caught fire. It suggests driving fast enough up to put out the flames.

Li’l Wayne’s Campagna T-Rex 14R

Rapper Nicki Minaj is a good friend to have; she gave her good buddy Li’l Wayne a customized Campagna 14R for his birthday. Straddling the line between car and motorcycle, this vehicle combines a BMW I6 engine with three wheels and a feather-light frame, to achieve a blistering 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds.
Jerry Seinfeld’s Porsche 993 911

For a man who did a show about nothing, Jerry Seinfeld seems to have everything going for him when it comes to amazing cars. Case in point: his Porsche 993 911, which has the distinction of being the last of its kind with an air-cooled engine. Maybe NBC will finally pick up that pilot idea he and George worked out.

James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder

I’ve never been one to believe in curses, but if there was ever a vehicle with some bad mojo in its cylinders it was this one. Not only did the young actor die in it, but the remains of “Little Bastard” (Dean’s term of affection for his death car) later fell on a mechanic who was working around them, breaking the guy’s leg.
According to reports, the car’s engine and transmission were snatched up by buyers who installed them on their own rides. Sadly, one died soon afterwards in a racing accident, while the other was seriously injured. Both were driving the vehicles containing “Little Bastard’s” parts.

Kanye West’s Lamborghini Aventador

If you didn’t already have enough reasons to hate this guy, how about this: he gets around L.A. In a Lamborghini valued at $370,000.00. Reportedly he pays $9,000.00 a year just for insurance, or roughly the price of 10 slightly used Hyundai Accent hatchbacks.

Jay-Z’s Maybach Exelero Sports Coupe

For the man who has everything, including Beyoncé, what could be more appropriate than a $450,000 vehicle with curves almost as hot as those on his wife? This guy must have done something great in a former life to get a deal like this; or maybe it was random fortune. In either case, I would love to be him for a day.

Conan O’Brien’s Ford Taurus

Just to show that not all celebrities have cars to match their egos, we round out the list with the late-night comedian’s 1992 Ford Taurus. Insurance runs him $800.00 a year, which saves him enough to enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries. Hey, the guy works hard; he deserves it.