Before electric vehicles became a reality, Elon Musk owned several impressive gasoline-powered cars. Here are 7 remarkable vehicles that Musk has had.
1. BMW 320i (1978)
Elon Musk chose to buy the BMW 320i at a low price when the brand wasn’t as famous as it is today. However, his first car had a sad ending when an intern at Musk’s first company damaged it.
2. McLaren F1 (1997)
After achieving great success in Silicon Valley, Musk treated himself to a stunning McLaren F1 worth $815,000, dubbed the “million-dollar supercar.” This vehicle, with chassis number 067, is one of only 106 ever produced. Unfortunately, Musk’s F1 was involved in an accident, and he sold it in 2007.
3. Lotus Esprit “Wet Nellie” (1976)
A huge James Bond fan, Musk spent nearly $1 million in 2013 to own the Lotus Esprit S1, modified into Wet Nellie—the famous underwater car from the film. This vehicle could switch to aquatic mode at the push of a button, embodying the style of 007.
4. Audi Q7 (2010)
Elon Musk owned an Audi Q7, one of the luxurious SUVs suitable for families. However, Musk was not impressed with this vehicle, describing it as “particularly terrible,” which led him to decide to design his own electric SUV.
5. BMW M5 (2006)
The BMW M5 is a powerful car that inspired Musk to install “Ludicrous Mode” in the Tesla Model S. This vehicle stands out for its incredible performance.
6. Ford Model T (1920)
The Ford Model T is one of the most influential cars of the 20th century, contributing to the revolution in automobile manufacturing. Musk named his cars in a similar fashion, using the format “model” followed by a letter.
7. E-Type Jaguar Roadster (1967)
As a young man, Musk dreamed of owning a Jaguar E-Type, one of the best classic sports cars. However, this E-Type often disappointed him with its frequent breakdowns, leading Musk to liken it to a “bad girlfriend.”
These cars are not only Musk’s assets but also reflect the colorful journey of one of the greatest billionaires in the world! Do you think Musk will add electric cars to his collection in the future? Stay tuned!
