The intense public life of many celebrities often leads them to seek peaceful escapes, and for many, that escape is their garage. Working on cars – whether fixing up classics or building custom vehicles – offers a relaxing break from the demands of fame. Instead of focusing on their careers, these stars find satisfaction in the hands-on work of restoring a piece of history and seeing real, tangible results. From discovering forgotten cars to creating completely modernized versions, they’ve turned a love of automobiles into a dedicated hobby.
Jay Leno
Jay Leno, the well-known former host of ‘The Tonight Show,’ is famous for having one of the world’s most impressive car collections – it’s like a private museum! He has a team of mechanics to maintain his hundreds of vehicles, but he also enjoys working on them himself, especially older models like steam cars and classics from the early 1900s. He doesn’t just collect cars; he lovingly restores even those that others would consider beyond repair. This passion led him to create ‘Jay Leno’s Garage,’ where he shares the stories and mechanics of his beloved machines.
Patrick Dempsey
Everyone knows me as Dr. Derek Shepherd from ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ but honestly, my real passion is cars. I’m a total gearhead! I’ve got a pretty amazing collection of vintage sports cars, and I actually race professionally – I’ve even done the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I’m a huge Porsche fanatic and I love getting my hands dirty, restoring and maintaining these classic machines. For me, working on these cars, and especially driving them, isn’t just a hobby, it’s almost meditative – it really lets me focus and clear my head.
Tim Allen
Tim Allen, known for his role on ‘Home Improvement,’ was raised in Detroit and has always loved American muscle cars. He owns a collection of rare vehicles, including a Ford RS200 and a perfectly maintained 1968 Chevrolet Camaro COPO. Allen often talks about how car engineering appeals to him and provides a welcome contrast to the imaginative world of acting. He enjoys personalizing his cars, but always stays true to their classic American style.
Adam Carolla
Adam Carolla, a comedian and podcaster, is deeply passionate about classic cars, especially vintage race cars. He has an extensive collection, including a significant number of cars once owned and raced by Paul Newman, which he actively races in historic events. Carolla meticulously restores these vehicles, ensuring they are accurate to their original appearance and mechanical condition. His love for this history led him to create the documentary ‘The 24 Hour War’.
Dax Shepard
Dax Shepard, known for his podcast ‘Armchair Expert,’ has a passion for classic American cars – the bigger and more powerful, the better. He’s particularly fond of his 1967 Lincoln Continental, which he’s customized with updated parts to make it reliable for everyday use. For Shepard, working on vehicles is a relaxing hobby that helps him connect with friends and escape the pressures of Hollywood. He values how a car performs and how much fun it is to drive over simply having a pristine, perfect-looking vehicle.
James Hetfield
Metallica’s James Hetfield expresses his creativity by building unique, often completely custom, hot rods. He designs them himself, sketching out his ideas and then collaborating with builders to bring them to life. These cars, which he considers rolling works of art, have earned him prestigious awards at car shows. Hetfield recently donated his entire collection to the Petersen Automotive Museum, wanting to share his creations with everyone. Building these cars offers him a different way to be artistic than writing music.
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson, best known for his role as the clumsy Mr. Bean, is actually a skilled driver and has a background in electrical engineering. He once owned a McLaren F1, which he enjoyed driving and even personally fixed after a couple of serious accidents. His love of mechanics also shows in his passion for vintage racing, where he races classic Jaguars and Aston Martins. He finds the speed of the racetrack and the work of maintaining these powerful cars to be a really exciting hobby.
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld, the creator of ‘Seinfeld’, is famously passionate about Porsche cars, especially keeping them as original as possible. He owns a large collection featuring many important models from the company’s history. In his series ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’, he links cars to comedy, choosing vehicles that he feels suit each guest’s personality. Seinfeld appreciates the precise engineering of Porsches, seeing it as a form of perfect, logical design.
Sydney Sweeney
This rising actress has earned the admiration of car enthusiasts by personally restoring a classic Ford Bronco. She shared the entire restoration process online, showing herself doing everything from changing tires to working on the suspension. Sweeney says the hard work of restoring a car is a welcome contrast to her glamorous life, and proves that working on cars can be a therapeutic and rewarding hobby for anyone, even young celebrities.
Eric Bana
The Australian actor made a documentary called ‘Love the Beast’ about his lifelong connection to his first car, a 1974 Ford Falcon XB. He’s owned the car since he was a teenager and rebuilt it to compete in rally racing. It’s more than just a vehicle; it represents his past, his friends, and has been a source of stability throughout his changing career. When he rebuilt the car after an accident, it symbolized his own journey of growth and overcoming challenges.
Sung Kang
Sung Kang, famous for playing Han in the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies, is a true car enthusiast who enjoys building cars and connecting with other fans. He’s particularly known for the Fugu Z, a beautifully customized Datsun 240Z that’s received international praise. Kang sees building cars as a way to meet fellow enthusiasts and improve his skills, and his projects often involve collaboration within the car community.
Kevin Hart
The comedian is a big fan of classic American muscle cars, but he likes to update them with modern features for better performance and dependability. He has custom cars built that look like they’re from the 1960s, but are actually made with lightweight carbon fiber and powerful supercharged engines. He sees these cars as a way to treat himself for his success and loves being involved in every aspect of their design. One standout in his collection is a striking 1970 Dodge Charger, which is a beautifully engineered machine.
John Cena
John Cena, the WWE star, is a true car enthusiast with a passion for classic muscle cars, especially rare models. He doesn’t just collect them – he loves to drive them, even using a kit car with a manual transmission for everyday use. His show, ‘John Cena: Auto Geek,’ gave him a platform to share the fascinating histories of these vehicles. He’s particularly fond of the powerful and straightforward American cars built in the late 1960s.
Lady Gaga
The popular singer has a surprising hobby: collecting classic American cars like a Ford Bronco and a Chevrolet El Camino. People often spot her driving these vintage trucks around Malibu with the roof down. She says driving these older cars gives her a feeling of freedom and privacy that she doesn’t get in newer, fancier vehicles. She keeps them well-maintained so she can enjoy a drive whenever she needs to relax.
Snoop Dogg
The famous rapper is known for his unique taste, which is clear in his collection of customized Cadillacs and Pontiacs. He sees these cars as a personal escape where he can unwind and enjoy music. When he restores a car, he focuses on details like custom paint and comfortable, luxurious interiors that represent his style. Snoop Dogg loves keeping the classic look and feel of 1970s luxury cars alive.
Ludacris
The rapper and actor still has the 1993 Acura Legend he drove before he found success. He partnered with Acura to completely restore it after it hit over 250,000 miles. They updated the brakes and suspension, but kept the outside looking original. He says the car helps him stay grounded and reminds him how far he’s come from his early days as a struggling artist to becoming a global star.
Gabriel Iglesias
Comedian Gabriel Iglesias, known as Fluffy, has a huge collection of Volkswagen buses that he lovingly calls the Fluffy Museum. He enjoys finding and restoring rare buses, making sure they look exactly as they did when they were first made, complete with original parts. He loves VW buses because of their cheerful look and the joy they bring to others. His collection is a personal escape where he can relax away from the pressures of being on tour.
Jeff Dunham
Comedian Jeff Dunham is a car enthusiast with a quirky collection, including multiple Batmobiles and other unusual vehicles from movies. He’s always working on restoring and maintaining these cars, which weren’t originally built for everyday driving. He also enjoys customizing modern muscle cars, creating completely unique vehicles. His garage isn’t just for storage; it’s his workshop where he gets hands-on with mechanics instead of his usual puppets.
Nick Mason
Nick Mason, the drummer for Pink Floyd, has a world-class car collection featuring a rare Ferrari 250 GTO. Unlike some collectors, he believes cars should be enjoyed on the road, not just displayed. He personally helps maintain his vehicles and often drives them in events like the Goodwood Festival. His love for cars stems from a deep appreciation for racing history and the incredible engineering behind them.
Richard Hammond
After leaving ‘Top Gear’, Richard Hammond launched The Smallest Cog, a workshop dedicated to restoring classic cars. He’s passionate about keeping the traditional skills of car restoration alive and sharing them with a new generation of mechanics. This business lets him personally bring beloved British cars back to life, which he finds incredibly rewarding – he believes rescuing a car from being scrapped is a worthwhile endeavor.
Jeremy Clarkson
This presenter is passionate about cars with personality – the ones that aren’t perfect. He frequently buys fixer-uppers and gets really attached to them as he works on them and drives them. Though he’s famous for sometimes wrecking cars, he also strongly supports preserving classic models like the Alfa Romeo GTV6. For him, a relaxing drive through the countryside is the perfect way to unwind.
James May
James May, often called ‘Captain Slow,’ is a very careful and detail-oriented car owner. He keeps his vehicles in top condition and truly appreciates the thoughtful design behind them. His car collection is diverse, ranging from a high-end Ferrari to a simple Fiat Panda. He enjoys the process of fixing cars and takes pride in a tidy and organized garage.
Jason Momoa
Jason Momoa, known for his tough image, extends that love to classic vehicles like vintage Land Rovers and motorcycles. He’s even had a classic Bentley converted to run on electric power, blending timeless style with eco-friendly technology. Momoa appreciates the adventurous side of driving and uses his vehicles to explore the outdoors, often modifying older machines to tackle challenging landscapes.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The famous action star popularized the civilian Hummer and now runs his own on biofuel. He’s known for liking big, rugged vehicles that fit his powerful image. Schwarzenegger is also working to make his collection more environmentally friendly while still maintaining their tough look. He sees these vehicles as both tools for exploring and symbols of his strength.
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone has long been passionate about classic American cars, owning and modifying many hot rods and muscle cars over the years. He’s particularly known for designing a customized 1950 Mercury, nicknamed “Cobra,” which he featured in his film of the same name. He loves the bold style and powerful engines of these modified vehicles, and enjoys the feeling of being directly connected to the road when he drives them.
Guy Fieri
Let me tell you, Guy Fieri’s car collection is as vibrant as he is! He’s got a real thing for yellow American muscle cars, and his ’68 Camaro is a standout – seriously, it’s a head-turner. You see that love of bold, loud cars play out on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ all the time. He views these cars as more than just vehicles; they’re a reflection of his energy and a way to connect with his fans. And the best part? He doesn’t just store them, he’s built a whole entertainment space around his garage to enjoy them!
Travis Barker
Let me tell you, Travis Barker isn’t just a legendary drummer – he’s a serious car guy. He’s got this incredible collection of classic Cadillacs, and I mean pristine condition. It’s not about speed for him; he’s all about that slow, cruising vibe and the sheer beauty of those vintage American luxury cars. But he doesn’t just restore them to their original glory – he likes to add a modern touch with things like killer sound systems and air suspension. Honestly, walking through his garage feels like visiting an art gallery, but instead of paintings, it’s these amazing cars – it’s all about the design for him.
Idris Elba
I’ve always been fascinated by people who really get cars, and Idris Elba is definitely one of them. It’s amazing to me that he’s not just a fan, but a record-breaking driver who’s actually lived and breathed motorsports. Knowing he started out on the Ford factory floor gives you a real appreciation for how much he respects the craftsmanship behind vehicles. For him, it seems like it’s all about the thrill of pushing a machine to its absolute limit, figuring out exactly how speed works. He’s said the concentration needed to drive that fast completely focuses his mind, and I can totally see how that would be almost meditative.
Gordon Ramsay
This chef is known for his passionate personality and relentless pursuit of perfection – qualities that extend beyond the kitchen and into his love for rare Ferraris. He’s drawn to the cars’ precise engineering and Italian craftsmanship. He doesn’t just collect them; he drives them, savoring the thrill of a powerful engine. For him, the high standards of Ferrari mirror his own dedication to excellence in cooking.
Simon Cowell
As a car enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by Simon Cowell’s taste in vehicles. He’s a serious collector, clearly loving to spend big on luxury and classic cars, especially vintage roadsters, which he regularly drives around LA. He’s got a real soft spot for classic Jaguars – you’ll often find him personally overseeing restoration projects to get them just right. He’s said himself that driving, particularly with the top down, is how he truly unwinds. Honestly, his collection isn’t just about the cars themselves, it’s a statement about his success and his eye for enduring style.
David Letterman
As a lifelong car enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by people who truly live the automotive world, and David Letterman is definitely one of them. Beyond his legendary career in late-night, he’s a serious IndyCar team owner and collector. He doesn’t just buy cars, though – he’s captivated by their history and the craftsmanship that goes into building them. Since retiring from the show, he’s been able to dedicate even more time to his passion, and he’s amassed an incredible collection of Ferraris and other sports cars, all carefully stored in his own private warehouse. It’s clear this isn’t just a hobby for him; it’s a genuine love affair with the art of the automobile.
Pharrell Williams
This music producer has diverse and interesting tastes, extending to cars like the rare Ferrari Enzo and classic Rolls-Royces. He doesn’t just see cars as transportation; he considers them works of art and frequently personalizes them to express his creativity. He values the skill and detail that go into making high-end vehicles, approaching car ownership with the same artistic sensibility he brings to fashion and music.
T-Pain
The singer, T-Pain, is a passionate enthusiast of drifting, and owns multiple customized Japanese sports cars. He loves the intricate process of fine-tuning a car for controlled slides around a race track. He collaborates with auto shops to build high-performance vehicles. For T-Pain, the drifting community provides a refreshing environment where he’s recognized for his driving ability, not his celebrity status.
Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz, known for his role in ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ stepped away from acting to pursue a career as a race car driver. He both drives and works on high-performance cars, competing in several different racing series. Muniz finds racing incredibly satisfying, enjoying both the challenge of competition and the hands-on mechanical work. He feels most in control of his life when he’s on the racetrack.
Keanu Reeves
Let me tell you, Keanu Reeves isn’t just a movie star, he’s a true bike enthusiast. He actually co-founded Arch Motorcycle to build custom bikes for dedicated riders, and he’s hands-on with the design and testing of every model. He’s said riding is almost meditative for him, a way to clear his head and really focus. It’s clear this isn’t just a hobby; it’s a genuine passion he wanted to share with others, and that’s why he built this company.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor, the Scottish actor, is passionate about motorcycles and has ridden them all over the globe. He loves working on classic bikes, appreciating their straightforward mechanics. For McGregor, even repairing a bike while traveling is part of the fun. These long journeys allow him to escape from daily life and find inner peace.
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig’s fondness for Aston Martins isn’t just for his role as James Bond – he genuinely loves the cars. He even auctioned off one of his own limited-edition Aston Martins to raise money for charity after years of enjoying it. He’s drawn to the brand’s British roots and its classic, refined style, and says driving them lets him feel a connection to the Bond experience.
Barry Weiss
Barry Weiss, famous from the show ‘Storage Wars’, has been collecting cars for many years, and he’s known for finding unique vehicles. He owns everything from customized hot rods to classic, rare American cars, and he loves driving them to car shows. He gets a lot of satisfaction from finding the right parts and restoring or building cars to exactly how he wants them. His cars are always eye-catching and really show off his individual style.
Danny Trejo
You know, Danny Trejo isn’t just a badass on screen – he’s a total legend in the lowrider scene. He’s got a collection of seriously customized Chevys, and it’s more than just a hobby for him. He really loves the whole culture – the cruising, the incredible paint jobs, the custom interiors… it’s art! For him, these cars are a way to honor where he comes from and connect with his fans here in L.A. It’s funny, really. He’s known for these high-energy action movies, but he loves the slow, cool vibe of a lowrider. It’s the perfect balance for him.
George Clooney
George Clooney owns a vintage Chevrolet Corvette convertible that originally belonged to his father. He lovingly maintains it as a way to honor his family and often drives it around the hills of California. Beyond classic cars, Clooney was also an early investor in the electric car company, Tango. This shows his appreciation for both the history of automobiles and the latest in car technology.
Matthew McConaughey
The actor owns a beautifully maintained 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. He loves the raw power of its classic engine and appreciates that it doesn’t have modern electronic features. Driving this vintage car helps him focus and feel present, almost like meditation. He feels the car’s style perfectly reflects his own relaxed yet driven personality.
Joe Rogan
This podcaster loves restomods – classic cars rebuilt with modern technology – and often commissions custom builds costing a fortune. He’s looking for the style of a vintage muscle car combined with the performance of a modern supercar, especially in terms of braking and handling. He’s really interested in the complex engineering required to make an older car frame handle a lot of power, and he describes driving these cars as a scary but exciting experience.
Ralph Lauren
The renowned fashion designer has a world-class car collection, considering each vehicle a work of art. He meticulously restores them, ensuring they’re as perfect as any museum exhibit. Not just for show, Ralph Lauren actually drives these cars and believes they should perform flawlessly. His collection isn’t just a hobby; it fuels his design process and offers him a personal escape into a world of beautiful things.
Chris Evans
This British radio host is a huge Ferrari enthusiast and has owned many incredibly valuable cars. He’s well-known for having all of his Ferraris painted white to create a consistent look for his collection. Evans loves learning about Ferrari’s history and the racing drivers connected to the brand, and he frequently shares his passion by hosting car events to raise money for charity.
Bill Burr
This comedian is a car enthusiast, but he’s also known for jokingly complaining about how much work it takes to keep them running. He admires the style of older cars and the challenge of driving them without modern features like power steering. He finds it funny—and even a little therapeutic—to deal with frustrating mechanics and traffic. His honest take on owning a classic car hits home for anyone who’s struggled with a temperamental vehicle.
Justin Timberlake
Okay, so I found out this pop star has an incredible ride – a ’67 Pontiac GTO convertible, and he actually drove it in one of his music videos! But it’s not just for show. He had it fully restored so he can actually take his family cruising in it. Honestly, I get it – there’s something about classic muscle cars, and a convertible just feels…freeing. It’s a really cool car, and I think it kind of mirrors his own career – both have a timeless quality, you know?
I’m always fascinated by celebrity car restorations! I’d love to hear about your favorite story, or even just which car you would bring back to its former glory. Tell me in the comments – I’m eager to hear your thoughts!
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2025-12-11 22:23