Cars driven by celebrities before they were famous

Being classic car enthusiasts, we tend to judge celebrities by the cars that they drive. So, the likes of Chris Evans and Rowan Atkinson, who are well known for their love of classic cars, are top of our list (we don’t actually have a list of our favourite celebrities, of course). But they, like everyone, started driving behind the wheel of a more modest motor.

It’s fun imagining celebrities driving around in a Ford KA (Wayne Rooney) or Subaru Forester (David Beckham) – but it’s quite refreshing knowing they opted for a sensible set of wheels as they got to grips with the road.

However, as you’ll see in our list below of the cars driven by celebrities before they were famous, they don’t all have to ‘slum it’ with a sensible first car. Some celebrities are lucky enough to be able to go straight in at the top end of the car market. If they’re already earning (or inheriting) big bucks, they don’t need to think about how much classic car insurance is going to be for a Lamborghini Miura, for instance…

So, let’s take a look at some well-known celebrities’ first cars and consider what about the models might have appealed to them at the time…

Barack Obama – Ford Granada

Former US President Barack Obama is known to be something of a car guy. But, before he had the luxury of being able to choose exactly which cars he drove, he was lumped with a Ford Granada. We only talk about it in those terms because he suggested “it may be the worst car that Detroit ever built”.

Having inherited from his grandfather to learn to drive, Obama spoke about the Granada in less than glowing terms. “This thing was a tin can,” he told WFBQ, an Indianapolis radio station. “It was during the '70s when oil had just gone up, so they were trying to compete with the Japanese. They wanted to keep the cars big, so they made them out of tin foil. It would rattle and shake. You basically couldn't go over 80 without the thing getting out of control.”

The Granada was built alongside its sister car, the Mercury Monarch, from 1975 until 1982. Obama, while showing good car knowledge, clearly wasn’t much of a fan – although he admitted it will always have a place in his heart for obvious reasons.

Just to be clear, the Ford Granada that was sold in the United States was a totally different beast to the one sold over here. This vehicle was a mid-size car that was available in several versions including a 2-door coupe, a 4-door sedan and estate.

Sharon Osbourne – Triumph Stag

So, the story goes, Sharon Osbourne, who is best known for managing her husband Ozzy, used to own a Triumph Stag, albeit it was a short-lived affair – during the car’s first run-out, she crashed it and wrote it off. She has since become a Mini Cooper devotee, no doubt seeing it as a safer option.

It’s easy to see why she fell for a Stag, though, with its Michelotti styling and bellowy V8. Yet, it wasn’t really designed to be a road car. Stylist Giovanni Michelotti built it from a 2000 saloon as a show car. However, Triumph's director of engineering Harry Webster liked it so much that he persuaded the board to build it, and to fit an overhead-cam V8.

Today, the Stag is considered to be a brilliant touring car that proves extremely satisfying to own with its soundtrack, comfort, sophistication and practicality. But, if you’re in the market for one, you need to ensure its engine has been properly maintained in a correctly restored bodyshell. Joining a Triumph owners club might help you find a good example.

Scarlett Johansson – BMW Z4

Another celeb to make a ‘bad choice’ for her first car is the actress Scarlett Johansson. "I wrecked it,” she said, speaking of her BMW Z4. “It was in a million pieces and the only reason I walked away was because of the airbags. They saved me.”

Although she says it was a “mistake” to plump for a Z4, due to it being “too fast and too wild”, you can see why she might’ve been tempted.

Replacing the BMW Z3, the (2003-09) Z4 was every inch the driver’s car with its sharp handling, outstanding grip and excellent body control. But even that wasn’t enough to keep Johnasson’s Z4 on the straight and narrow…

It’s not clear what model the actress owned – but the three-litre straight-six boasted 265bhp, which was then usurped by the 343bhp 3.2-litre Z4M. So, it’s not hard to see why she might’ve come unstuck having only been an inexperienced driver at the time.

Justin Bieber – Range Rover

Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber found fame when he was only 13 years old. So, it’s no surprise his first car was a Range Rover – something the rest of us can only dream of owning (if it’s to your tastes, of course).

He didn’t even have to buy it. Bieber's mentor and friend, Usher, gifted him with an all-black Range Rover when he turned 16, back in 2010. Usher later went on to buy him a luxury 2012 Fisker Karma, an all-electric sports car worth $100,000 which came complete with a solar panelled roof.

Bieber has been adding to his collection ever since, spending big on supercars including a Ferrari F430, a Ferrari 458 Italia, a Cadillac CTS-V (aka the Batmobile) and a customised Audi R8. Not a bad collection.

Jeremy Clarkson – Ford Cortina

Motoring journalist and Top Gear stalwart Jeremy Clarkson loves cars as much as the rest of us. But it was the humble Ford Cortina – a car his parents always drove and which later became his first car – which sparked his fascination with four wheels.

“Always Ford Cortinas,” Clarkson is quoted as saying. “That’s why I bought a Ford Cortina, I didn’t know there were other cars. I was raised in a Ford Cortina, only ever went anywhere in a Ford Cortina so I thought I better buy a Ford Cortina then.”

Having acquired a 1969 Ford Cortina 1600E, he “went to town on it”, adding extra spotlights on the front, extra brake lights, fur-lined doors, race seats… the lot.

Clarkson regretted selling the car but was eventually reunited with his Cortina years down the line, only to find it had been “destroyed” by the man he had sold it to – it was covered in rust and moss. Have you ever regretted selling a classic?

Daniel Craig – Nissan Cherry

Daniel Craig, best known for playing James Bond, has driven some of the best cars ever produced – one of the many perks of being 007 we guess? But the first car he ever got behind the wheel of was a Nissan Cherry.

The 1970–1977 Cherry sold well in the UK. A reliable runner, it made the perfect first car. But due to rust and other reasons, only a handful of the 1,057,845 models produced remain in existence today. We can obviously help you protect it if you manage to find a good one!

Elon Musk – BMW 320i

He may now be the world’s richest man with a personal fortune estimated at $185billion but SpaceX and Tesla mastermind Elon Musk started off driving a humble 1978 BMW 320i according to AutoCar. Purchased in 1994, it was a project car before he upgraded to an E-Type Jaguar. Today the classic E Series BMWs are growing in popularity, especially the convertibles. Why not let us quote for yours today?

Jenson Button – Vauxhall Cavalier

The F1 driver-turned-team owner may be able to afford any car he wants now but his motoring journey started, as it did for many of us, in the mighty Vauxhall Cavalier. Of course the world champion made a few tweaks and upgrades to his first ride, as you would expect from such a speed demon, but he’s never forgotten his 1990 £2k wonder. Remember, if you’re thinking of upgrading suspension, brakes or doing any other modifications on your classic, run it past the team at Lancaster first to check whether it affects your insurance premium.

Sir Michael Caine – Rolls Royce

Did you know that the Italian Job star didn’t pass his driving test until the ripe old age of 50? But after waiting all that time, he could afford a first car that most drivers only dream of – a Rolls Royce. But even then he let his chauffeur do all the hard work. Do you remember your first car? Perhaps you’ve managed to buy it back? We’d love to hear from you if so! We could even help you protect it for less.

Should you get a classic as your first car?

Having read how passionate Clarkson is about Cortinas and how memorable the Granada was to Obama, you might be considering buying a classic for your first car.

We think it would be a smart choice (clearly it depends on what you buy), for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it might mean you end up paying less for insurance. It’s a common misconception that classic car insurance will be more expensive than standard insurance. Classic owners usually do less miles every year – making them less of a risk – and they’re well known for keeping their motors in tip-top condition.

But there are other reasons you might want to invest in a classic car that you haven’t yet considered…

1. Classic cars can appreciate in value

Money is often tight when you’re looking for that first car. Sometimes it can take months or even years of saving to fund a car purchase. If you opt for a new car, you’ll lose a lot of that investment as soon as you drive it out of the showroom. But, if you invest in the right classic, you can end up making money on your first car.

2. Classic cars provide a better driving experience

Modern cars are designed to be safe and reliable – but the driving experience can be a little underwhelming as a result. For a first car, that might suit you just fine. But if you want to really feel the car beneath you, a classic car will prove more rewarding to drive.

3. You’ll learn a lot about car mechanics

In owning a classic car, things will sometimes go wrong, and to save on pennies you’ll want to fix it yourself rather than seek out a mechanic. If you’re a little worried about not being able to make the necessary repairs, you needn’t be – just head over to YouTube where you will find all manner of tutorials.

Read even more reasons why you should consider a classic car as your first motor now.

Protect your investment with classic car insurance

If you’re lucky enough to own a classic car – be it a first car or as part of a collection – you’re going to need specialist classic car insurance to match.

The last thing you’d ever want is for your classic car to endure any damage – but having adequate cover gives you the confidence to use these cars as intended.

Lancaster Insurance is the classic car insurance broker of choice for owners of 96,000 vintage, historic and retro vehicles, from MGs to Land Rovers and everything in between.

Choosing classic car insurance from Lancaster means you get a range of benefits and discounts including:

• Static show cover
• Historic rally cover
• Salvage retention
• 90 days EU cover
• Limited mileage discounts

We can also offer a 25% discount for members of certain car clubs around the UK. Ask the team when you get a quote.

You’ll also have access to our 24-hour claims line so if you do have an issue, our experienced team will be on hand to help.

Get a quote for classic car insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.