Ringo Starr’s Car Collection Showcases His Unique And Iconic Taste

Ringo Starr, the legendary British musician, is best known for his remarkable contributions to The Beatles. Over the course of several decades, he has thrilled his fans through his music, but his collection of some of the coolest cars of his time also deserves incredible appreciation. While his garage has been filled with mostly Mercedes models, he also has also been known to own iconic rides like the Pontiac Firebird, Hillman Minx, Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper S, and his very first car, the 1954 Standard Vanguard.

Beyond just being a collection of cars, each vehicle tells a story, marking different phases of Ringo’s life and career. Much like his timeless hit 'Photograph,' which captures nostalgia and cherished memories, his car collection reflects these different eras.
Let’s take a closer look at his lineup and relive the journey of this legendary drummer, who currently resides in his Beverly Hills mansion.

Inside Ringo Starr’s Mercedes Collection

After exploring Julio Iglesias' love for Mercedes, we now turn to another legendary British musician—best known for hits like "It Don't Come Easy." But little do we know about his love for Mercedes cars, owning as many as seven in his cool collection. Let's get the inside details of each one.

15. 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupé

Ringo’s affinity for Mercedes is well known. He experienced a major accident while driving this car with his girlfriend, Barbara Bach, the famous Bond girl. In a fascinating anecdote, after rescuing Barbara from the wreckage, Ringo reportedly lit a cigarette.

The couple later repurposed parts of the wrecked car into a coffee table in their home—a true rock-and-roll moment. The car sold for £350,000 in 2013.

Mercedes-Benz’s presence in celebrity garages speaks for itself. Robert Downey Jr., aka Iron Man, owns a Mercedes-Benz 280 SE. Interestingly, he is said to have collaborated with Ringo Starr on the charity single Tears in Heaven for the 2004 tsunami relief efforts.

14. 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman

Originally owned by John Lennon, this limousine passed through all four Beatles. Ringo briefly owned it before selling it to Motown singer Mary Wilson in 1975. It was auctioned again in 2024, confirming that it had long been out of his collection. Reports suggest he purchased it in 1968 for an impressive $80,000. By 1995, it was sold by a subsequent owner through Sotheby’s.

13. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL

A high-end Mercedes from Ringo's post-Beatles years. While its fate remains unknown, it aligns with his history of Mercedes ownership. This luxury model was one of the few that the German manufacturer delivered to him personally.

Interestingly, the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL is also part of Irish singer Bono’s collection. Adding to the connection, Ringo’s grandmother was Irish, and he had traveled to Ireland for Beatles concerts, making this detail a fun fact for fans.

12. 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

This classic roadster, once owned by Ringo, was reportedly part of Hilton & Moss' collection, a specialist in vehicle restoration. It was later sold to an overseas buyer. Given Ringo's worldwide fan following, it’s no surprise that the car's value has continued to rise. Currently, it is estimated to be worth around £200,000.

11. 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E AMG

Another Mercedes in Ringo’s collection, the 1984 190E, was modified by the musician himself. He added an AMG Baby Benz spoiler, a sports steering wheel, a sports exhaust, and several performance upgrades.

10. 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG

According to a Daily Mail report from 2015, Ringo put his Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG up for sale, along with other valuable items like his 1963 drum kit (used in over 200 performances), a special guitar from John Lennon, and rare group photographs.

9. 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500

Ringo, who owns a $14 million home in Beverly Hills, was spotted with his Mercedes CL500 alongside his wife. The couple, dressed formally on a sunny California day, was photographed stepping out of the luxury vehicle. 

Interestingly, American actor Denzel Washington also owns a Mercedes-Benz CL500, creating a shared link between the two stars—both of whom call Los Angeles home, despite their different origins.

Iconic Cars from Ringo Starr's Garage

The legendary Beatles musician has been a global icon for decades, and his garage has been home to some of the most iconic cars along the way.

8. 1954 Ford Zodiac

One of Ringo's first cars, the Ford Zodiac from the late 1950s, reflects his passion for automobiles from an early age. According to Webgrafikk, he bought the Zodiac in 1963 with three months' wages, financing it partly by selling his first car, the Standard Vanguard. 

He drove the Zodiac for three years—interestingly, without a valid driving license. This model is also commonly referred to as the "Ford Zephyr Zodiac Mk1."

Zodiacs are rare, but we've discovered that another British celebrity, motorsports racing driver Sir John Young "Jackie" Stewart, also owns this vintage classic in his garage.

7. 1959 Standard Vanguard

As reported by Webgrafikk, the Standard Vanguard was the first car Ringo purchased in 1959. He bought it second-hand and hand-painted it black and white. Since he had not yet passed his driving test, Ringo remained under the radar for several years before finally obtaining his license in 1965.

6. 1964 Facel Vega Facel II

A rare French luxury car, Ringo owned this model for four years after purchasing it for £5,570 at the 1964 Earls Court Motor Show. At the time, it was known as the world’s fastest four-seater. He eventually sold it after an accident. Almost a decade ago, in 2013, it was auctioned for £350,000, per the LA Times.

5. 1967 Mini Cooper Radford De Ville

This custom-made Mini Cooper was gifted to each Beatles member by their manager, Brian Epstein. Each Mini was tailored to suit the band members' individual needs. In Ringo’s case, his Mini Cooper S was modified as a hatchback to accommodate his drum kit. According to The Sun (2021), it was estimated to sell for £120,000 at auction, indicating that Ringo no longer owned it by then.

Interestingly, both Ringo Starr and Ed Sheeran have a song titled Photograph. While Ringo’s Photograph (1973) remains one of his most beloved hits, Sheeran released his own Photograph in 2014. Adding to the connection, Sheeran—who also owns a Mini Cooper S—once paid tribute to The Beatles by performing In My Life in front of Paul McCartney during a Grammy Week event in 2014.

4. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

A classic American car, this Chevrolet Bel Air was customized by George Barris, famous for designing the Batmobile. Ringo owned it during his eclectic phase, and it was later auctioned—possibly for charity through his Lotus Foundation. According to AutoEvolution (2014), the car was estimated to sell for between $54,000 and $100,000.

3. 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine

A famous photograph captures Ringo sitting in the back of a 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham limousine. The image was taken in New York in 1964, during The Beatles' first visit to the United States.

The Fleetwood Series Limousine seemed to be a favorite among legendary singers worldwide. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, and Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, both owned these iconic cars, creating a shared link between these highly regarded musicians.

2. 1960 Hillman Minx

A humorous moment was captured in a photo of Ringo with a fellow Beatle, where he appeared to be "fixing" this car while his bandmate showed no interest in helping. The iconic image remains a fan favorite.

Hillman is an iconic car, and very rare to find amongst celebrities car collection. Gordon Murray, who is an iconinc figure when it comes to auto design and is also called father of F1, has a Hillman in his extensive car collection, for the simple fact that he admired its clever engineering of the automobile. 

1. 1968 Ford Mustang

Throughout his long career, Ringo used his wealth wisely to fuel his passion for classic and luxurious automobiles. Not owning a Ford Mustang would have been almost unthinkable for a muscle car enthusiast. Ringo’s 1968 Mustang has changed hands multiple times, and in 2011, it was reported to be up for auction.

Special Mention

• 1967 Pontiac Firebird

A photograph of Ringo with a 1967 Pontiac Firebird suggests he might have owned this vehicle. In its time, the Firebird was a superstar among cars, known for its stylish design and impressive performance.

That wraps up our look at Ringo Starr's car collection. Curious about what other music legends drive? Click the links below to explore more!

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