by Gabrielle DeSantis

The rich and famous often have incredibly expensive tastes. But sometimes their purchases line up with each other, and their celebrity cars start to look a bit similar. Just as everyone looking for a reliable budget car is pushed toward a Toyota Camry, celebrities are drawn to many of the same luxury vehicles for many of the same reasons. These are some of the most common celebrity cars, and the reasons they keep buying them.

The Tesla Model S is refined, luxurious, and good for the planet

Celebrities like to show that they care about the world, like that time they sang Imagine at the start of Covid, even though they’ll never have to “image” losing their job. Regardless, everyone and their mother knows that the world is shifting toward electric cars. Celebrities want to make that switch too, though there’s no reason they can’t splurge.

The Tesla Model S starts at $89,990, chump change in terms of celebrity car purchases. And the dual-motor long-range package boasts 640 horsepower and 405 miles of range. However, for $129,990, one can opt for the Tesla Model S Plaid. That bumps the horsepower to 1020, and the 0-60 time of under 2 seconds (on a prepared track).

And for an additional $10,000 on top of whichever package they choose, the Model S can have the full self-driving package. This allows autopilot to navigate highway entrances and exits, allows the car to park itself, enables it to be summoned, and will even be able to navigate stop signs and traffic lights. Though, self-driving technologies are still very finicky, considering Tesla’s AutoPilot system is still manlunctioning.

Regardless, celebrities love a strong image and show they’re in touch with the real world. But there are also plenty of people who want to show they have a lot of money, and there’s only one celebrity car for the job.

RELATED: Is the Tesla Model S Plaid’s Yoke Steering Wheel Really That Bad?

The Rolls Royce Phantom is the pinnacle of celebrity luxury

There’s a reason Rolls Royce doesn’t air any television ads: everyone knows what they sell. And most people are well aware they can’t afford the high society cars hand-built by engineers in Goodwood England. While you can configure a Rolls Royce to your exact specifications, models start at $455,000. And for that kind of money, you can customize the car exactly as you wish.

The coach line pinstripes can be adjusted in length and color, there is an assortment of wheels available, and the interior can be as public, or as private as you wish. You can install a minifridge between the two rear seats and footrests that rise from the floor. In other words, celebrities can have it their way so long as they have the coin (which, chances are, they do).

And the Rolls Royce Phantom in particular has an air of superiority over its counterparts. You don’t buy one for the power, even though you know it’s packing heat (563 horsepower from a 6.8L V12). Because, according to the automaker, it’s the quietest car in Rolls Royce history, with the only noise around being the ticking of your incredibly expensive watch.

But how about something a little bit in between? Something that screams money without costing as much as a Rolls Royce Phantom, yet has a loud presence? That title goes to the celebrity car of celebrity cars: the Mercedes G-Wagon.

RELATED: Is There Such a Thing as a Cheap Rolls-Royce?

The Mercedes G-Wagon is the luxurious celebrity car of choice

This big, boxy beast pays no mind to the foibles of gas mileage or aerodynamics. It’s the perfect choice for celebrities who want to show off their unique style. It’s a flex, even though it starts at just $131,750 (which, compared to the Rolls, makes it look like a Civic).

And while the price is lower, the power is higher, at 577 horsepower from the handcrafted 4.0L turbocharged V8. Sure, it gets 13 miles per gallon, but everyone will understand the person behind the wheel is loaded. With comfort features for the front and back passengers, included heated seats and multimedia screens, it’s ideal for everyone inside the cabin.

And while you’d never use them, the Mercedes G-Wagon is quite capable offroad. With three lockable differentials and adjustable suspension, it could tackle the trails. But the car looks so clean, and it’s too busy letting everyone know that, which you could go offroading and be tough, you never will. In other words, it’s flashy and refined, making the “I’m rich and big, look at me” statement, without actually costing all that much.

Perhaps I look at these cars with a slight bias, or maybe even jealousy. I do love writing about cars, though I’d much prefer reasonable vehicles I might be able to afford someday over celebrity cars that’ll rarely be driven. After all, cars are statements, and celebrities love to make statements.

RELATED: New G-Wagon Proves There Really Is a Replacement for Displacement

The post These Are the Most Common Celebrity Cars appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

To those who were small children in the 1980s, the DeLorean sports car will likely conjure up feelings of nostalgia and memories of the Back To The Future films, in which the vehicle played a starring role as a time machine. Those who were a bit older during the late 70s and early 80s might remember DeLorean for entirely different and more controversial reasons.

Despite someone’s particular memories of the DeLorean, it is safe to assume that nearly everyone can recognize the car’s place in pop culture. The DeLorean’s iconic gullwing doors and stainless steel body panels make it memorable in the minds of anyone who saw one in photos, film, or in person. Just one glimpse at the Tesla Cybertruck instantly shows that the DeLorean clearly inspired its designer.

The DeLorean Motor Company history

The original DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was founded in 1975 by John DeLorean, a former General Motors engineer. John worked on classic GM cars like the Pontiac GTO and the Pontiac Firebird. After a successful career at GM, John left the company in 1973 to start DMC. Unfortunately, things did not go well for the former engineer.

As is the case with most new businesses, there were early problems within DMC. Those problems led to production delays which meant the company was spending more money than it was making. DMC was far off its production goals and soon fell into deep debt. In a desperate effort to save his company, John DeLorean met with an individual who had promised him a large sum of money if he helped traffic drugs. That man was actually an undercover FBI agent, and John was arrested.

Although John was able to defend himself in court successfully, the damage had been done. DMC was shut down in 1982 after only selling approximately 9,000 cars. That would generally be the end of the story, but a few years later, in 1985, Back To The Future was released in theaters. The filmmaker’s choice to capitalize on the infamy of the DeLorean and use it as the featured time machine in the movie cemented the DeLorean in pop culture. It elevated it to “dream car” status for a generation of 80s kids.

The resurrection of DMC

In 1997 a new company called DeLorean Motor Company of Texas acquired all of the remaining DeLorean parts along with exclusive distribution rights and all DMC trademarks, effectively becoming a “new” DMC. However, they will state that they have “no connection to John DeLorean, the DeLorean estate or the original DeLorean Motor Company.”

With all the original parts and the tooling and technical documentation to reproduce new parts, DMC of Texas is poised to bring back the original DeLorean for sale and continue to service existing owners.

As the facility gears up for production, they gave a factory tour to the Petersen Automotive Museum. As you can imagine, there is a lot of history sitting in the new 40,000 square foot facility. There are even original parts bins and racks dating back to the 80s.

One of the most interesting relics in the new factory is the last gullwing door ever produced in the original DMC factory. The inside of the door is signed by the employees that created it in 1982, along with a message stating, “The end of a dream, or is it?”

For some more interesting tidbits, we highly recommend checking out the factory tour video. There are a few more fun facts on the FAQ page of the new DMC website.

RELATED: A DeLorean Modernization Gone Wrong By Automotive Legend Chip Foose

The post DeLorean Factory Tour Is A Trip Back In Time appeared first on MotorBiscuit.