6 of the most expensive celebrity-owned cars ever, from Cristiano Ronaldo’s limited-edition Bugatti Centodieci to Elon Musk’s US$20.5 million McLaren F1, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

Dec 24 , 2023

Like a few other celebrities we could name, Cristiano Ronaldo has a thing for expensive cars. Photo: Instagram/@cristiano

It’s no secret that celebrities have a penchant for the finer things in life – and they definitely don’t hold back on splurging on their favourite whips.

Read on for some of the most expensive luxury cars owned by celebrities should make any car lover jealous.

6. 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder – US$5.3 million

Owned by: Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld is a serious Porsche collector. Photo: @jerryseinfeld/Instagram

When it comes to expensive car collections, no list is complete without comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The almost-billionaire auctioned off a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder for US$5.3 million in 2016, per CNBC, while GQ reported that his collection included a 1958 Porsche 356A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster and a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS in 2020.

A 1956 Porsche 550 1500 RS Spyder, similar to the car Jerry Seinfeld auctioned off in 2016 for US$5.3 million. Photo: Aydee Tie

Seinfeld spoke about his love of cars to fans at the 2016 auction, saying he wanted to be there to see people who shared his passion, reported CNBC. The sitcom star added that he buys cars for the love of it, not as an investment: “I never thought these cars were going to increase in value. I’m not a collector who gets cars to make money. I love the feeling of the car.”

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5. Bugatti Centodieci – US$9 million

Owned by: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo owns one of only 10 Bugatti Centodieci hypercars in the world. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Sleek, fashionable and eye-catching is how many would describe both the Bugatti Centodieci and Cristiano Ronaldo – so it’s no surprise that the Saudi-based football player chose this model.

Car Buzz reports that the car costs US$9 million, and Ronaldo was shown getting into the vehicle in a widely circulated online video.

The 2022 Bugatti Centodieci hypercar. Photo: Handout

Bugatti announced it would only make 10 of the car, making the Centodieci one of the most desirable cars on the planet. Per Car Buzz, the model’s first deliveries were in 2022, with no traditional timeline on when manufacturing would stop.

4. McLaren F1 – US$20.5 million

Owned by: Jay Leno, Rowan Atkinson and Elon Musk

Actor Rowan Atkinson is among the celebrity owners of the McLaren F1, a 90s icon. Photo: Handout

In August 2021, a McLaren F1 became the most expensive car sold at auction that year when it went under the hammer in California for US$20.5 million, per CNBC. With a record top speed of 240mph, the hypercar became known as the first “F1 car for the road”. It was launched in the 90s with a price tag of US$800,000 to US$1 million. Per Motor Authority, McLaren F1 production totalled just 106 units.

Since its launch in the mid-90s, the McLaren F1 has proven to be one of the best-performing automobile investments of all time. Photo: Handout

The F1 is mostly bought at auction and prices vary according to the specs of the car. Past and current owners include Jay Leno, Rowan Atkinson and Elon Musk, per McLaren dealer, McLaren Palm Beach. According to CNBC, the McLaren F1 that achieved the record US$20.5 million price tag was especially prized as it only had 241 miles on the clock.

3. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail – US$28 million

Owned by: Jay-Z and Beyoncé

Beyoncé and Jay-Z found a classic car to suit their style in the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. Photo: @beyonce/Instagram

Sophistication, customisation and a hint of nautical flair make this dream car stand out. Per Hotcars, it’s worth US$28 million. The Boat Tail is 5.8 metres long and comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine and a 0-62mph time of around 5.3 seconds, per Auto Express.

Ridiculously long at 5.8 metres, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is also ridiculously beautiful. Photo: Handout

Its “rear deck” features a cocktail table and parasol. Per GQ, the classic Rolls Pantheon grille was tweaked for a softer appearance, adding to the unique flair of the Boat Tail.

It’s no surprise that classy couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé own one, per The Telegraph.

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2. Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic – US$40 million

Owned by: Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren – whose clothing has adorned stars including Naomi Campbell, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Garner – has a stellar car collection.

Among his most prized possessions is the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic that the designer acquired in the late 1980s and had painstakingly restored over a two-year period, per Robb Report. “If you’re going to restore it, you’re restoring it so that it’s not just a monument but a fine-working machine – something with the quality it had when it was new,” Lauren said, per the publication.

According to Bugatti, only four of the car were created between 1936 and 1938, with just three in existence today. At auction, the car has reached a price tag of US$40 million, per New Atlas.

1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – US$51.7 million

Owned by: Ralph Lauren and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason

Pink Floyd including drummer Nick Mason (second from right), pictured in 1973. The legendary musician owns a fleet of rare Ferraris, including a 250 GTO. Photo: Getty Images

Only 36 Ferrari 250 Gran Turismo Omolegato (GTO) cars were produced in 1962, with a price tag of around US$18,000 – equivalent to around US$150,000 in today’s money – per Ferris Cars.

When it sold last month at Sotheby’s New York, the 1962 Ferrari became the second most expensive car ever sold. Photo: Handout

One of these iconic cars sold just last month for a record price of US$51.7 million. Per Sotheby’s, it was the second most expensive car ever sold at auction, having been owned for the past 38 years by an American collector.

Ralph Lauren and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason both owned one, per Ferris Cars and GQ.

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Ronaldo’s Bugatti Centodieci seems as though it was made for him, Jerry Seinfeld is a Porsche obsessive, and Ralph Lauren once had both a 1930s Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Beyoncé and Jay-Z found their dream car in the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason loves his Ferraris, and Musk and Rowan Atkinson are fans of the iconic 90s McLaren F1