A Collection Of The Most Notorious Vehicles Owned By Rock Stars

From the seductive roar of a healthy engine to the high-octane lifestyle, rock stars have built a reputation for appreciating the automotive arts. With songs like Highway Star, Panama, and Little Red Corvette pushing our feet to the floor while behind the wheel, it’s time for us to take a look at the cars that make us wish someone would say “Baby you can drive my car."

No list of vehicles driven by rock stars would be complete without our first entrant, so roll up for the magical mystery tour through the biggest rock stars and their wheels.

John Lennon’s Psychedelic Rolls

Certain perks come with being the face of the most popular band in history, one of those perks is being able to afford one of the most expensive vehicles ever designed. In 1965, John took the nearly all black Phantom in with a laundry list of mods to be made. What emerged was one of the most pimped out cars ever crafted. Alterations included one-way passenger windows, a cocktail cabinet, writing table, reading lamps, portable television and a refrigerator in the trunk. But even these mods were not enough for the most fab of the four.

After a trip to Spain, where the paint job was ruined by swirling sand and irresponsible driving habits, the massive luxury liner was returned to the shop in 1967 for mechanical repairs and an aesthetic overhaul. This time the Phantom emerged was the king of all the shaggin’ wagons. The car now featured a modified backseat that converted into a double bed – with oversized ashtrays added to the armrests. Plush carpeting throughout the cabin, and a floating record player that used a state-of-the-art suspension system to prevent the needle from jumping while the car was rolling, as well as a tape player in a specially built cabinet. The television was also upgraded, though it reportedly rarely worked. On the outside, the matte 'Valentines Black' exterior was replaced with the bright yellow, Sgt Peppers inspired paint job we all recognize. Unfortunately, since John’s death, the television, tape player, and spare tire have gone missing over the years, and the sound system is no longer functional. An unfortunate end for such a unique icon of capitalism and the love revolution alike. John won’t be the only member of the Fab Four on our list, so stay tuned!

Jack White’s Tesla Model S

Modern rock, it seems, would be a different playground without the influence of Jack White. Notoriously archaic in his recording, eschewing much of the contemporary tech as he can and preferring to record on tape, it seems strange that this old soul would opt to buy one of the most tech-heavy vehicles on the market today. While White has said not much about the car, it has been reported that he uses the sound system for mix references. I guess that speaks to the quality of the sound the Tesla is capable of producing, and how much time Jack spends behind the wheel. Once the recording is finished, the mixes are played through the car using an FM transmitter; if better fidelity is required, they are played through the car’s USB ports.

The Monkeemobile

This abomination of marketing machines gone awry should go down in history as one of the worst advertising schemes in history. The Monkees were looking for a custom car for their new television show, and seeing the massive marketing potential, Pontiac supplied them with two GTOs to be made into these monstrosities. The original vehicle sported a strong supercharged engine and added weight to the back end so it could pop wheelies, but the second featured a faux blower for driveability. More than a thousand kits were sold to transform these gorgeous classic GTOs into something out of a Seussical nightmare.

David Bowie’s Mirrored Mini

Back in 1998, Mini asked three British celebrities to design Minis to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary. While the other two were created by fashion icons Kate Moss and Paul Smith, the most surreal of these three designs came from Ziggy Stardust himself. This mirrored Mini Cooper was viewable at the British International Motor Show as well as the London Design Museum’s exhibition in February 1999. It makes sense that one of the most introspective musicians of the last century would design a car that makes viewers reflect on themselves.

Eddie Van Halen’s Miura S

Van Halen’s blistering solos and road trip hits have forever altered the course of rock and roll history. None of their highway anthems are as prone to producing a speeding ticket as 1984’s Panama, which makes sense since the engine roar heard during the breakdown is Eddie’s 1972 Lamborghini Miura S. The Lambo was featured in the music video as well and is still in Eddie’s hands. Luckily, EVH has been more careful with his Miura than other rock stars. Miles Davis ruined his in ‘72 during the depths of a cocaine binge.

David Gilmour’s Ferrari F40

There’s no doubt that Pink Floyd helped to define modern rock music, so it makes sense that the band members would drive something equally as iconic. David Gilmour andNick Mason, who is also an avid car collector, bought matching Ferrari F40s back in 1988, about as iconic a supercar there ever was. The pair took a cross-Europe tour to break their new rides in, driving from Italy to England. Tragedy struck in the late 2000s when David Gilmour’s car was nearly destroyed after the engine bay caught fire. Fortunately, the guitarist invested another $400,000 in restoring the iconic racer.