Elon Musk isn’t just the CEO of Tesla, he’s a certified gearhead with a car collection that screams luxury and speed. From futuristic Teslas to iconic classics like the BMW M5, Lotus Esprit, and even a Ford Model T, his garage is full of surprises. And trust me, his need for speed doesn’t stop on the ground, so watch till the end to find out how he’s taking it to the skies. Let’s dive in!
1976 Lotus Esprit
How many people can say they own a real James Bond car? Elon Musk can. In 2013, he bought “Wet Nellie” from The Spy Who Loved Me at an auction for $997,000. Yes, the actual Lotus Esprit that transformed into a submarine on screen. In reality, it was only used as an underwater prop, but that didn’t stop Musk from wanting to make the fantasy real. “It was amazing as a little kid in South Africa to watch James Bond drive his Lotus Esprit off a pier, press a button, and have it transform into a submarine underwater,” Musk said. But he was disappointed to learn it couldn’t actually transform. So, what’s his plan? He wants to retrofit it with a Tesla electric powertrain and turn it into a fully functional amphibious car. If anyone can make a Bond fantasy real, it’s Musk.
1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
Elon Musk’s dream car turned into a nightmare the moment he bought it. His 1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster broke down on the way home from the dealer. But did that stop him from loving it? Not at all. Musk had been obsessed with this Jaguar since he was 17 after seeing it in a magazine. When he finally made enough money, he didn’t hesitate to get one. He chose the 4.2-liter inline-six model over the V12, producing 265 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque. Enzo Ferrari himself called the E-Type “the most beautiful car in the world,” and Elon Musk clearly agreed. Despite its reliability issues, this car is still a legend.
McLaren F1 (1997)
Elon Musk once owned a McLaren F1, the fastest naturally aspirated car in the world. But here’s the crazy part—he crashed it, had to pay for repairs out of pocket, and then sold it for a profit. Back in 1999, after selling his first company, Zip2, Musk had a choice: buy a house in Palo Alto or a McLaren F1. He picked the car. “Was no contest. I bought the F1 and a small condo that was much cheaper than the car,” he tweeted. It cost him $1 million, and he was so excited that he let CNN film the delivery. Musk drove it regularly, even commuting between LA and San Francisco. He once hit 215 mph on a private runway. But in 2000, while heading to an investment meeting, his passenger asked, “So, Elon… what can this thing do?” Musk responded, “Watch this.” Moments later, he lost control, crashing the car. The F1 wasn’t insured, and repairs were extremely expensive. But Musk bounced back, thanks to PayPal’s success, and sold the car in 2007. “The McLaren is a great car, a work of art,” he said in 2013. But he didn’t want to be known for a high-performance gas car, so he let it go.
2006 BMW M5 by Hamann Motorsport
Elon Musk also owned a BMW M5 modified by HAMANN Motorsport. HAMANN removed the speed limiter, cranked up the 5.0L V10 engine to 600 horsepower, and pushed its top speed to nearly 200 mph. This four-seater sedan literally beat supercars. Some even say this car inspired Tesla’s “Ludicrous Mode.” It was pure, unfiltered power—until Musk let it go. But that wasn’t his only BMW. He also owned a 1978 BMW 320i.
Tesla Roadster
There’s a car floating in space right now. No, it’s not a satellite or a rover, it’s Elon Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster. This was Tesla’s first-ever production car, built on a Lotus Elise chassis and powered by lithium-ion batteries. Back in 2008, when Tesla revealed the Roadster, codenamed Project Dark Star, it could hit 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, matching a Lamborghini Gallardo. Musk was the first owner and used it as his daily driver for years. But instead of selling it, he gave it the wildest sendoff ever. In 2018, he loaded it onto the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, placed a dummy named “Starman” in the seat, set “Space Oddity” on loop, and launched it into space. Musk joked, “Maybe some alien race will find it and think, ‘Did they worship this car?’” Now, it’s drifting in deep space, possibly for billions of years.
2010 Audi Q7
“The Audi Q7 is particularly horrendous.” That’s what Elon Musk said about this SUV. He even joked that you’d have to be a dwarf mountain climber to reach the back seats. And yet, he still bought one. Why? Back in the 2000s, Tesla was building two-seaters, but Musk needed something bigger for his growing family. The Audi Q7 was a top luxury SUV at the time, but its rear seat access was a nightmare. Musk didn’t just complain; he turned the problem into an opportunity. This struggle directly inspired the Falcon wing doors on the Tesla Model X, designed to solve the exact issue he hated about the Q7. Today, Musk no longer owns the Audi, but its impact on Tesla’s innovation is undeniable.
2016 Tesla Model X
As already mentioned, Elon Musk hated the Audi Q7 so much that he created the Tesla Model X to fix its flaws, and let me tell you, this SUV changed the game. With an aerodynamic shape and a powerful electric powertrain, it launches from 0 to 60 mph in seconds, outperforming many gas-powered competitors. But for Musk, this is his family ride. He often drives his kids around in it, taking full advantage of the spacious interior and futuristic Falcon wing doors. Those doors were such a priority for Musk that their complex design delayed production. But once perfected, they made the Model X one of the most recognizable SUVs on the road.
2019 Tesla Model S Performance
Elon Musk’s 2019 Tesla Model S Performance changed the game for EVs, proving they could be faster than high-performance gas sedans like the BMW M5. With a 0-60 mph time of just 2.4 seconds and a range of nearly 350 miles, it set a new standard. Top Gear called it a “game-changer,” and its “Ludicrous” mode launches it from 0-62 mph in under three seconds. Musk even teased an even crazier upgrade called “Plaid,” referencing the movie Spaceballs. When that arrives, the Model S will go from insane to something beyond imagination.
Tesla Cybertruck
What kind of truck can survive bullets, drive through water, and still look like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie? That’s exactly what Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck claims to do. This pre-production beast has been making waves with its sharp angles, armored glass, and futuristic design. Musk even revealed that the Cybertruck is partially amphibious, meaning it can handle water better than most other trucks on the market. Despite the hype, production hit multiple delays due to complex development and unique manufacturing techniques, allowing several electric pickups to launch before it. But early reservation holders are already getting their hands on it. Musk himself has been spotted driving a pre-production Cybertruck, proving that Tesla’s boldest creation isn’t just a concept — it’s real, and it’s here.
1920 Ford Model T
Why does Elon Musk own a piece of automotive history that changed the world forever? Musk, the man pushing electric cars into the future, owns a gasoline-powered legend — the Ford Model T. It’s the first mass-produced car ever, built by another disruptor, Henry Ford, back in 1908. This car created the modern auto industry. Ford’s assembly line innovation made cars affordable, bringing personal transportation to the masses. Musk, being the visionary he is, has this piece of history in his collection, gifted to him by a friend. The Model T originally cost just $850 — barely enough to buy half of a Tesla Model S carbon fiber spoiler today. It’s called the “Tin Lizzie” and represents everything Musk stands for.
2012 Porsche 911 Turbo
Elon Musk once tried to turn a Porsche 911 into an electric car. Back in the early 2000s, he approached engineer Alan Cocconi and offered up to $250,000 to install a lithium-ion battery pack in his Porsche 911. Cocconi refused but pointed Musk toward a small start-up called Tesla. That decision changed automotive history. Despite leading the EV revolution, Musk never lost his love for high-performance sports cars. He owned a 997-era Porsche 911 Turbo, a model known for its raw power and precision. While it’s unclear if he still has it, his fascination with the 911 remained strong even after Tesla’s success.
Aero L-39 Albatros (1994)
When Musk craved speed, he didn’t just stick to cars — he took to the skies. “Probably the most fun plane I have is a Russian fighter jet,” he once said. The jet is an Aero L-39 Albatros, a Czech-designed, Ukrainian-powered, Russian-equipped trainer built for elite pilots. And flying it? Pure Top Gun thrills. “We were just a few hundred feet above the ground, weaving through mountains,” Musk recalled. “Then we hit a climb — straight up, inverted, upside down. It’s like a roller coaster, but way bigger. Though, after an hour, your butt really starts to hurt. The seats are brutal.”
