Jay-Z's Car Collection Is The Holy Grail

The Hip-Hop Legend's Extraordinary Collection

Jay-Z has been a hip-hop master and a true genre legend since the late 1990s and early 2000s. The man has been at the forefront of hip-hop for decades. The 25-time Grammy award winner and the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Jay-Z has built up quite a collection of cars over the years. Let's explore some of the sweet rides of one of the world's greatest rappers.

Jay-Z's Past Cars

Before we get into his current fleet, let's examine the cars Jay-Z owned before becoming one of the world's most famous rappers.

James Devaney, Getty Images

1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E

The 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E was a British car that Jay-Z was spotted behind the wheel of while on a trip to London in 1989. This Benz even had "eco-maximizing" aero hubcaps! Built between 1982 and 1993, the 190E was the company's first compact-class sedan. While this car may have been a rental, Jay-Z may have wished he had brought it back with him Stateside.

先従隗始, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons  

1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E (Cont'd)

In the late 1980s, Mercedes had just started to use "Einspritzung", or "Fuel Injection" technology in their cars—that's what the "E" stands for on this particular beast. The 1989 version of the 190 E had a 2.5L engine that produced 201 hp, but additional horsepower could be had through a PowerPack that Mercedes offered, boosting the output to 222 hp. It produced a respectable maximum speed of 152 mph.

Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

1998 Mercedes-Benz C140 S-Class Coupe

Jay-Z featured the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C140 in his song "This City Is Mine" (1998), outfitted with a 7.3L V12 engine, pushing out 524 hp. The luxury sedan would be one of many in Jay-Z's garage over the years.

 JAY-Z - The City Is Mine, JAY-Z

1998 Mercedes-Benz C140 (Cont'd)

The C140 introduced a number of safety features into the car, including an updated braking system, including a Brake Assist System that was only engaged during emergencies. Other safety features included door-mounted side airbags and automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensors.

JAY-Z - The City Is Mine, JAY-Z 

1998 Bentley Azure

A classic convertible grand touring car was added to Jay-Z's garage shortly after he acquired the Mercedes-Benz C140. The 1998 Azure likely cost Jay-Z somewhere in the region of $250,000.

Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons 

1998 Bentley Azure (Cont'd)

Produced from 1995 to 2003, the 1998 Azure was powered by a gargantuan 6.75L V8 turbocharged engine, rated for 360 hp. This gave the Azure a top speed of 150 mph. The speed-comfort-luxury combination would set the tone for the rest of Jay-Z's vehicular acquisitions.

Stasiuk, Adobe Stock

His Current Collection

When Jay-Z said he was "bout to start another life", maybe he was also talking about his car collection. Leaving the 1990s behind, Jay-Z's current car collection features some of the best-looking, fastest motors on the planet.

Ben Rose, Getty Images

Lexus GS300

His very first car when he properly found fame was the Lexus GS300. This practical but luxurious sedan produced 227 hp from its straight-six three liter engine. Inside, Jay-Z's GS300 featured wood trim, leather seating, and a moonroof. The GS300's cost was $47,000 upon its release in 1993, no issue for a man slowly climbing the hip-hop ladder.

IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons

Lexus GS300 (Cont'd)

Unfortunately for the Japanese manufacturer, sales in the United States had slowed down by the late 1990s—despite Jay-Z's purchase—and the GS300 was discontinued in 1997. Still, the car remains an integral part of Jay-Z's garage and he continues to drive Old Faithful to this day.

IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons

Ferrari F430 

The Ferrari F430 was the first supercar in Jay-Z's garage. Like Justin Bieber and many other celebrities, the 2004 Ferrari F430 has become a classic for collectors, despite only being 20 years old. Appearing in Jay-Z's video for "Show Me What You Got," the Ferrari was whipped around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

JAY-Z - Show Me What You Got, JAY-Z 

Ferrari F430 (Cont'd)

In the video, the supercar handles the complex track with ease, thanks to its superb handling. Its blistering 483 hp comes from its V8 engine, propelling it to a top speed of 196 mph, rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

JAY-Z - Show Me What You Got, JAY-Z

1957 Corvette C1

While Jay-Z's Lexus may have a special place in his garage, so too does his 1957 Corvette C1. Powered by a 4.3L V8 that produced 240 hp, Jay-Z's C1 included a power-assisted convertible top and power windows. We don't know if he's swapped the sound system out, but the OG C1 features a groundbreaking technological advancement: a signal seeking Delco radio.

 KMazur, Getty Images

1957 Corvette C1 (Cont'd)

The 1957 Corvette C1 would provide the basis for one of the first Corvettes to compete in international races: the Corvette SS that competed in the 1957 24 Hours At Le Mans race, featuring a modified version of the V8 engine. Despite now being almost 70 years old, Jay-Z's Corvette is among his favorite cars.

KMazur, Getty Images

Alfa Romeo Spider

Another low-riding convertible in Jay-Z's garage is the Alfa Romeo Spider. Built between 1966 and 1994, Jay-Z purchased the first version back in the early 2000s, a 1966 Series 1 convertible Romeo Spider. Fitted with a 1,570 cc twin cam engine that produced just 108 hp, the Alfa Romeo goes nowhere fast; but it does get Jay-Z where he needs to go in-style.

Rundvald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Alfa Romeo Spider (Cont'd)

Despite being fairly barebones inside, the Alfa Romeo was kitted out with two-barrel, side-draft carburetors, disc brakes and 15" wheels. At launch, it cost about $4,000, but Jay-Z probably purchased it for a fair bit more than that.

MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rolls Royce Silver Cloud

One of a couple of vintage cars in the Carter family collection is this 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. The stunning convertible was produced by Rolls-Royce in the late 1950s, but was purchased by Jay-Z for Beyonce's 25th birthday in 2006. While the navy blue convertible is his wife's car, Jay-Z often gets behind the wheel.

Charles01, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rolls Royce Silver Cloud (Cont'd)

And who can blame him? It runs seamlessly with a 6.2L V8 engine that produces 155 hp, and has a four-speed automatic transmission. However, we feel for Beyonce and Jay-Z, because driving the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud is like driving a small boat. It has a turn circle of 41 feet, 8 inches.

Rico Heil, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pagani Zonda F

Speaking of other large cars, Jay-Z's Pagani Zonda F is one of only 25 ever produced by the company. A reengineered variant of the Zonda—acquired by Jay-Z in 2006—the Zonda F featured a 7.3L V12 engine, producing an incredible top speed of 214 mph.

 MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pagani Zonda F (Cont'd)

Pagani used lightweight aluminum to form the Zonda, shaving over 100 lbs off the weight of the Zonda, compared to its predecessor, the C12. The "F" in the name stands for Fangio, honoring the Argentine racing driver who twice won the Monaco Grand Prix.

MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

Another super-fast supercar in Jay-Z's collection is the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. Decked out in all-white, like Post Malone, Jay-Z's Veyron Grand Sport has a fully removable roof with a roll-cage behind the seats. It's a good thing too: the Veyron Grand Sport's top speed is a staggering 229 mph. Also rare, Jay-Z's Veyron Grand Sport is one of only 150.

Gons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons 

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport (Cont'd)

The Bugatti's W16 engine produces almost 1,000 hp (topping out at 987), but its true top speed is actually 253 mph. This special top speed mode is activated only when the driver inserts a "top speed key" into a key fob to the left of the steering wheel. Unfortunately, if you need new tires for your Veyron Grand Sport, they'll cost $25,000—and they can only be mounted onto the wheels of the car in France, a service which costs $70,000.

Gons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

Another luxury sports car in Jay-Z's garage is the Mercedes-McLaren SLR. Jointly developed between Mercedes and McLaren and sold between 2003 and 2010, Jay-Z snapped up one of only 3,500 cars produced. The Mercedes-McLaren partnership gave birth to a beast capable of producing 617 hp from a supercharged V8 engine and travelling from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds.

Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons 

Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR (Cont'd)

In an attempt to keep the weight down in the SLR, Mercedes-McLaren used a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Throughout its life, there were nine variations of the SLR, including an exclusive "HDK" model, standing for "High Downforce Kit". Just 12 of these were made, with a modified V8 engine that produced 680 hp, based on SLR 722 GT, a track-centric racer.

Cars en travel, Wikimedia Commons

Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Like so many other superstars, Jay-Z has a Porsche 911 in his garage. This one is a Carrera Cabriolet in a gorgeous deep blue. Powered by a 3.0L flat-six engine with a pair of turbochargers, the Carrera Cabriolet produces 388 hp and can hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. It also has an impressive top speed of 181 mph. Despite these impressive stats, it's one of the most modest additions to Jay-Z's garage.

Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet (Cont'd)

Despite Jay-Z's love of the 911 Carrera Cabriolet, fans of the traditional 911 bodywork balked at the sight of the oddly not-quite ovular but not-quite circular headlights. Used to the circular headlights of the 911, the Carrera Cabriolet was seen as an aberration. Nevertheless, the Carter family seems to love their Carrera Cabriolet.

Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII

Another gorgeous Rolls-Royce in Jay-Z's collection is the Rolls-Royce Phantom—another gift for his wife, Beyonce. Although we're sure Jay-Z gets to ride in it from time to time. It's complete with as many luxury trappings as Rolls-Royce could fit, including rear-opening coach doors. If Jay-Z and Beyonce acquired the Phantom VIII Extended Wheelbase version, they have a plethora of different features.

Dispvas2018, Wikimedia Commons 

Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII (Cont'd)

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII EWB comes fitted with a soundproof privacy suite, as well as an interior that looks like the night sky thanks to 1,500 fiber optic lights to create an impression of the night sky and stars. Both the short and long version of the Phantom have a top speed of 155 mph and can go from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds. Quick? No. Luxurious? Absolutely.

bortnikau, Adobe Stock

Maybach 57S

One of three Maybachs in Jay-Z's collection, the 57 was the first Maybach that Jay-Z purchased since the Maybach brand was revived by ChryslerDaimler in the early 2000s. The 57 S was unveiled in Los Angeles in 2006; the "S" stands for "special", which it was indeed. Beneath the hood, it had a V12 engine that produced 604 hp and could hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds.

 JAY Z, Kanye West - Otis ft. Otis Redding, Kanye West

Maybach 57S (Cont'd)

In 2012, Jay-Z and Kanye West starred in a music video for the song "Otis". This featured a Maybach 57S (whether it was another that Jay-Z had bought, or the one he owned, we don't know). In the video, Jay-Z and Kanye West cut the roof off the Maybach, making it a convertible. Car fans around the world cried tears as a $400,000 car was ruined.

JAY Z, Kanye West - Otis ft. Otis Redding, Kanye West

Bentley Continental GT

Another luxury car in Jay-Z's impressive fleet of luxury vehicles is the Bentley Continental GT. Joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, Jay-Z picked up his Continental GT in the mid-2000s and has loved the car ever since. It was made available as either a two-door saloon or convertible model—you can guess which one Jay-Z went with.

M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bentley Continental GT (Cont'd)

The Continental GT was equipped with a 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing an impressive 552 hp and hitting 60 mph from a standstill in 4.8 seconds. It's equipped with all-wheel drive as standard and, unlike Jay-Z's other luxury saloons, has an extraordinary top speed of 197 mph.

M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons 

Maybach 62S

Likely bought after Jay-Z fell in love with the Maybach 57S, the 62S was released in 2006 by Maybach, a successor to the 57S that caught the eye of not only Jay-Z, but North Korean chairman Kim Jong-un. The Maybach 62S was virtually unchanged from the 57S, retaining the twin-turbo V12 engine built by Mercedes. Nevertheless, Jay-Z picked up a second Maybach.

Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons  

Maybach 62S (Cont'd)

The Maybach 62S did eventually get a facelift in 2008, when the 62 S Landaulet was unveiled. A soft-sliding roof, a plush black leather interior with black granite inserts. In total, 22 of Landaulet were produced, two selling to Jay-Z's friends: Birdman and DJ Khaled.  

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Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sources:

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