Motor Junkie

Celebrities are known for their luxurious lifestyles and that includes their impressive car collections. Among those celebrities is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose collection is known to be one of the most extensive and impressive in Hollywood. However, there are a select few who have managed to amass even more luxurious car collections than The Rock. These celebrities have spared no expense when it comes to collecting some of the rarest and most sought-after cars in the world.

From vintage classics to modern supercars, these celebrities have managed to cultivate unique garages that would make any car enthusiast drool. One of the celebrities with a car collection that surpasses The Rock is Jay Leno. The former host of “The Tonight Show” has a passion for cars that rivals his passion for comedy. Floyd Mayweather is another celebrity who has a massive net worth and an equally impressive car collection. Find out other celebrities who have car collections that rival the Rock’s right here.

Jay Leno

Leno’s car collection is not only massive but also incredibly diverse. One of the unique features of his collection is the number of one-of-a-kind cars that he owns. For example, he owns a 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado with a factory-included custom “Lamborghini” front end. The car was a collaboration between Oldsmobile and Italian designer Marcello Gandini. Another one-of-a-kind car in Leno’s collection is a 1925 Doble Steam Car. The car is powered by a steam engine. It was one of the most advanced cars of its time with features like automatic climate control and a preheating system that made it ready to drive in just 40 seconds (via Way).

Another unique aspect of Leno’s car collection is his dedication to preserving automotive history. He has several cars in his collection that are not only rare but also historically significant. One example is a 1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Cup Racer. Leno has restored the car to its original condition and he has even driven it in several vintage car races. Leno is ensuring that future generations will be able to appreciate the rich history of the automotive industry.

The post 15 Celebrities Who Have Better Car Collections Than The Rock appeared first on Motor Junkie.

They’re rare, but there are a few classic muscle cars that made a direct impact on pop culture. These are cars like the Dodge Charger from ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ or Steve McQueen’s classic forest green “Bullit” Mustang. The thing that sets a true pop culture classic apart from the pack is the unique attention to detail that went into it. The legendary Trans Am from the Burt Reynolds hit “Smokey and the Bandit” was arguably the most memorable in terms of pop culture muscle cars.

Reynolds and Sally Field were instrumental in making “Smokey and The Bandit” a memorable movie. There was just something about its black and gold paint job and rocket hood that made it stand out. You could even say it was the car that catapulted both of their careers into superstardom. The film had two sequels and remains one of the most popular car movies to date. The original Trans Am has been copied and restored by many custom builders, but nothing beats the original. We looked at some facts that you might be surprised to know about the ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ Trans Am right here, so buckle up.

The Car Was A 1976 Model

In the 1977 film, the iconic black and gold Trans Am driven by Burt Reynolds’ character, Bandit, is often remembered as a 1977 model. However, the car used in the film was actually a 1976 model that was modified to look like a 1977 model. The reason for this is that the 1977 Trans Am was not yet available when filming began in the fall of 1976. Pontiac only provided two pre-production 1977 Trans Ams (via Slash Gear).

The modifications included a new front end with a blacked-out grille, hood scoop, and gold trim accents on the body. To further enhance the car’s performance and appearance, the filmmakers turned to car customizer Gene Winfield, who then made even more changes to the car.

The post Surprising Facts About The Legendary “Smokey and The Bandit” Trans Am appeared first on Motor Junkie.

It’s no surprise that Ferrari is one of the most exclusive automotive brands in the world. The automaker has been around since 1947. Enzo Ferrari founded the brand on a simple principle of design and beautiful function. It’s often said that there isn’t anything else on the road that drives like a Ferrari. The fact that these cars are so iconic only adds to the intrigue of the brand. But as with any automotive brand, there are still glaring secrets about owning a Ferrari.

The style and heritage of Ferrari sports cars have always created an allure to the brand. But you have to be a certain type of enthusiast to put up with Ferrari ownership. In addition to the cars being temperamental when it comes to maintenance, the company’s other secrets can make ownership difficult. We looked at the behind-the-scenes secrets that come with Ferrari ownership that no one seems to talk about.

Having The Money Doesn’t Assure You Ferrari Ownership

Ferrari is one of the most exclusive brands in the world and the company has a strict vetting process. The vetting process takes into account factors such as your history with the brand and your reputation as a driver. In addition, Ferrari limits the production of its cars. That means that demand often far outweighs supply. A lot of affluent people have the money for a Ferrari but they still aren’t able to get one right away (via Auto Evolution).

New buyers need to wait months or even years for the opportunity. The exclusivity means that when you finally get your hands on your new Ferrari, the feeling is unlike anything else in the world. There’s nothing better than jumping behind the wheel of a bright red Ferrari sports car. But you still have to deal with drawbacks and secrets surrounding the ownership of one of these cars.

The post Behind The Curtain: Ferrari’s Dirty Secrets Exposed appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Car design changes so radically each decade that many enthusiasts can’t keep up. People have transitioned from the days of the stagecoach to the muscle car era, to the boxy era of the 1980s, and finally the modern era. Cars have changed dramatically in a short amount of time, and who knows what the future will hold. But not every vehicle is an appealing piece of art and design, and some cars are just plain ugly. Take the Pontiac Aztek for example. The lowly SUV is widely considered one of the ugliest GM vehicles ever created.

And while we’re on the subject of GM and ugly cars, who doesn’t remember the dust-buster minivans of the 1990s? Other automakers have certainly had their fair share of ugly vehicles as well, such as the Ford Pinto. An ugly car isn’t always a bad car, but many of these diamonds in the rough are only recently beginning to gain value. We looked back at the ugliest cars ever created. These were cars so ugly that they defined the word, and most of these cars were never popular or sold well either.

1932 Stout Scarab

The 1932 Stout Scarab was a unique vehicle ahead of its time, but still one of the ugliest. It was a minivan-like car designed by William Bushnell Stout, an American inventor and aviation enthusiast. The Scarab was one of the first cars to feature a streamlined body with smooth curves and rounded edges. It also had a rear-mounted engine, which was unusual for cars at the time (via Hagerty).

It had a luxurious interior, complete with a bar and a small bathroom. Despite its innovative design and features, the Scarab wasn’t commercially successful. Only a few were produced as a result. However, it remains a fascinating piece of automotive history that showcased the potential for unique, unconventional car designs.

The post Monster Autos: These Are The Ugliest Cars Ever Created appeared first on Motor Junkie.

The original muscle car era lasted for less than 10 years but undoubtedly left an everlasting mark on the industry. Muscle cars were built to be fast and look good doing it. Suddenly, there was a whole segment of affordable performance machines built to light up the rear tires and street race all night long. Besides their looks and the power numbers, quarter-mile times were the main talking point of enthusiasts. So today, we’ll take a closer look at the 20 fastest muscle cars of the class of 1969.

It was a very good year in muscle history. Some of the cars on the list are still very fast even by modern standards. These quarter-mile times listed below were compiled from various test publications and magazines. They sometimes vary from source to source since those cars were available with several rear-end rations and tire choices. Also, the location of the testing, temperature, and altitude play a significant part in the performance numbers. You’ll also find the prices of these cars when they were new in 1969 and their average price in today’s collector market. Take a trip back to 1969 right now.

1969 Pontiac GTO Judge – 14.45 seconds

Price New: $4,400

Price Now: $60,000 +

Muscle cars started as affordable performance machines with lots of power and affordable prices. However, due to high demand, some models started to get more and more expensive. Soon, there was a need for a budget-friendly muscle car aimed at the youth market and buyers who wanted a fast car but couldn’t pay much. The Plymouth Roadrunner was a perfect example of such a car. It was cheap, fun, and fast. Pontiac wanted a similar car, and in 1969, the company presented the GTO Judge (via Audrain Auto Museum).

The Judge became a legend in its own right, first because it took the name from the popular TV show and second because it was a bright-colored muscle car with a big spoiler and funky graphics all over it. The GTO Judge wasn’t slow either, with 366 HP and a four-speed transmission. Available from 1969 to 1971, the Judge always represented a top-of-the-line model, which makes it very desirable today.

The post The Fastest Muscle Cars of 1969: What They Cost Then and Now appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Jay Leno is one of the most successful comedians in show business, and he also has one of the most prominent car collections in the world. Leno’s car collection is worth multiple millions of dollars, so it’s hard to find anyone who can compete with him. But there are a few car collections out there that rival his. People like Brandon Wang have invested millions in their car collections. While some vehicles are not as rare as some of Leno’s, they are still impressive collections.

Most automotive collectors don’t take as much of a hands-on approach with their vehicles as Leno does. But that doesn’t mean that these collections aren’t something special to look at. We looked at the amazing car collections worth more than Leno’s. These car collections have something to offer car fans in every way. The thought of spending this much on a car collection isn’t something that many people can comprehend or accomplish. But there are enthusiasts out there who can and did. Check out the rare car collections worth more than Jay Leno’s right here.

Lawrence Stroll’s Car Collection – $140+ Million

Lawrence Stroll is a billionaire businessman and racing enthusiast with an impressive car collection that includes some of the rarest and most sought-after vehicles in the world. His collection features a wide range of classic and modern cars including Ferraris, McLarens, and Aston Martins. Stroll is particularly fond of vintage racecars and has several historic vehicles in his collection like a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and a 1956 Maserati 450S (via Car HP).

His collection also includes several ultra-rare and limited edition cars such as a McLaren F1 LM and a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Stroll’s love of cars and racing is evident in the quality and rarity of his collection. It’s considered one of the most impressive in the world as a result.

The post Amazing Car Collections That Are Worth More Than Jay Leno’s appeared first on Motor Junkie.

To many car enthusiasts, muscle cars are arguably the best car segment in the auto world. They’re more fun, affordable, cooler-looking, and easier to work on. However, in the world of muscle cars, some are dependable, and some are not. Those that can withstand abuse and tuning are the ones that have gone down in the history books. So today, we’ll discuss some truly legendary muscle cars that can still last a lifetime to this day.

These cars earned a reputation for being fast and powerful. But they’re also tough and long-lasting. Check out these resilient classic muscle cars right here.

Ford Mustang Mach I

The original Mach I was introduced as an affordable performance version of the Mustang Sportsroof in 1969. It featured a long list of options and three engines. The base engine was a 302 V8. There was also a 351 V8 and the top-of-the-line 428 Cobra Jet. Although Ford built over 20,000 Mach Is in 1969, only a small number had the Cobra Jet engine, the definitive option (via Car and Driver).

Only the 428 CJ-equipped Mach Is had true performance potential and could beat other muscle cars on the street. The 428 Cobra Jet had 335 HP, but most knew it produced more than 400 HP. With a four-speed manual transmission and a skilled driver, the 428 Mach I could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds. This was an excellent number for the time and still demands respect today.

The post Living Legends: These Memorable Muscle Cars Still Last A Lifetime appeared first on Motor Junkie.

One of the greatest thrills in the car community is opening the rusty, creaking doors of an old barn or garage and finding a forgotten car that was sitting there for decades. These barn finds were been considered lost by many. There was nothing but legends claiming their existence. They often need restoration projects to be presentable, but they’re well worth the time and money.

The rarest classic car barn finds were someone’s pride and joy at some point. Yet they were forgotten and neglected for years. The internet is full of such stories. Enthusiasts have even scored high-profile barn finds such as Ferraris or Rolls Royces as a result. Some car archeologists even strike gold by finding a multimillion-dollar machine. Other barn finds uncover relatively ordinary cars that were just left to rot. Today, we’ll spin the tales of the most impressive barn finds and the stories behind these fantastic cars rescued from hiding.

Shelby Cobra 289

This barn find deserves a special place since it inspired a book called “Shelby in a Barn” and started a worldwide fascination with uncovering rare cars. The Shelby 289 is the first car by Carroll Shelby and a fantastic piece of automotive history. The small-but-powerful American V8 in a light and nimble European body proved a match made in heaven. Soon, this roadster started dominating domestic championships by beating Corvettes, Ferraris, and Jaguars (via Legendary Motor Cars).

However, a small number of road-going Cobra 289s were made, and they were expensive and sought after by collectors. This particular car was bought in Indianapolis in 1963. After a few years of use, it was parked in the barn, where it spent a long time amongst the farm animals. Shelby collector Bob Weaver found it and documented the process.

The post Hidden Gems: The Coolest Classic Car Barn Finds Of All Time appeared first on Motor Junkie.

The supercar segment is one of the most vital parts of the auto industry. Supercars shape the face of performance and innovation in the car world. Whether these cars are beating land speed records or breaking technological achievements, these cars seemingly get more exciting every year. New performance barriers are broken with every new engine. What was once considered unheard of is now the norm when it comes to ultra-high-end sports cars.

The past five years have been a groundbreaking stretch for the supercar world. Engine technology is moving away from fossil fuels and going to the EV realm. But before that happens, there are a few notable gas-powered sports cars left. The market for supercars is never going to be as good as it is right now because gasoline engines are going the way of the dinosaur. Enjoy these beautiful performance beasts for as long as you can. The future of gas-powered supercars is uncertain, and it’s changing every day. Regardless, these are the supercars that changed the auto industry in the past five years. Enjoy them right here.

McLaren 650S

The McLaren 650S is a high-performance supercar that was produced by British automaker McLaren from 2014 to 2017. It was introduced as a replacement for the McLaren MP4-12C and was designed to provide a more refined and comfortable driving experience while still delivering impressive performance. The 650S had a 3.8 L twin-turbocharged M838T V8 engine that has been refined over the previous generation of the car. McLaren is a brand that has been defined by performance and automotive advancement. Their cars are always in the top tier of design (via Auto Blog).

The mid-mounted, 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 641 horsepower and 500 lb.-ft of torque. The performance of the 650S is the main reason that the car has been popular among the enthusiast population. Notable celebrities like Jay Leno own a McLaren thanks to the impeccable performance numbers. Few mid-engined sports cars can compete with the sheer ferocity and attitude the McLaren 650S has.

The post The Future Is Now: Recent Supercars That Changed The Industry Forever appeared first on Motor Junkie.

GM has done essentially everything when it comes to performance cars, muscle cars, and sports cars. As a company, they shaped the muscle car formula with the 1964 Pontiac GTO. GM also produced one of the most successful sports cars on the planet, the Chevrolet Corvette. General Motors has an enormous portfolio of powerful and fast machines, and GM muscle cars are renowned around the world.

However, not all GM muscle cars are widely known and sought after by fans. Some GM muscle cars are strange, rare, and highly unusual takes on high-speed motoring. We found 20 strangest GM muscle cars that very few people including diehard drivers know about.

Oldsmobile 88 Rocket

For the 1949 model year, Oldsmobile presented two very important things – the 88 model series and a brand-new 303 CID V8 engine called the Rocket V8. Both of which proved very influential in Oldsmobile’s history. The 88 model was relatively light and compact, and Rocket V8 was considered a hot engine with a two-barrel carburetor and 135 HP on tap. The combination of a lightweight body and powerful engine in the form of the 1949 Oldsmobile 88 was arguably the first muscle car from Detroit (via Gold Eagle).

The ’49 Olds 88 enjoyed success with the customers and on the track too. It won 6 of the 9 NASCAR races that year and also proved competitive on the drag strip. The car was the theme of one of the first rock and roll songs ever made, called “Rocket 88” by the Kings of Rhythm. All of this makes this car extremely influential, not only in automotive history but in rock n’ roll history as well.

The post Mystery Muscle: These Strange GM Muscle Cars Will Blow Your Mind appeared first on Motor Junkie.