Muhammad Ali, originally named Cassius Marcellus Clay, jr. was an American professional boxer, social activist, and philanthropist born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Muhammad Ali was the first boxer in history to win the world heavyweight championship on three separate occasions and unrelentingly defended his title 19 times.

He also won an Olympic Gold medal at the 1960 Olympics, securing his spot among the top world boxing legends and athletes in history. During his boxing years, Ali was known for the ownership of some stunning luxury automobiles.

His car collection included a 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider, a 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible, a 1969 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, and a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S Golden Angel Wing. Of his cars, the Merc was unique and the most valued. It was auctioned off in 2014 and was reported to be worth over a million dollars!

Updated August 2022: One of the greatest sportsmen of all time had a very blissful taste in cars. We have updated this article with more information about Muhammad Ali's car collection.

Without further ado, let's look at the boxing legend's car collection.

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Muhammad Ali’s 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Convertible

Muhammad Ali with his Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Via: Bonhams

The sporting legend evidently fancied luxury automobiles and the 1970 Rolls-Royce convertible was truly a gem of its era. Ali’s Rolls-Royce was one of only 272 Silver Shadow left-hand-drive convertibles created and at the time of its release, it was the company’s most expensive topflight model, according to Bonhams.

He bought the luxurious convertible in December 1970 in New Jersey, U.S, under his original name Cassius Clay, possibly in celebration of having recovered his boxing license. During the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali declined to be drafted into the United States Army and the American government revoked his passport and boxing license as punishment for a little over five years.

1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
SG2012 Via Wikimedia Commons

He later recovered the license a few weeks before his most famous boxing clash of all time, “The Rumble In The Jungle'' and bought the Rolls-Royce convertible at an estimated $16,000, which is about $105,000 today. Muhammad Ali’s Silver Shadow Rolls-Royce had many hand-built features such as Wilton carpeting, Connelly leather, and walnut veneers among others.

The Silver Shadow Rolls-Royce is powered by a 6.75-liter V8 automatic engine and capable of a top speed of 118 mph. It weighed a little over two tonnes. The vintage Rolls-Royce when put up for auction last in October 2018 was estimated to be worth close to $70,000. Truly a masterpiece fit for a champion.

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The 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Muhammad Ali Got By Accident

1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
Via: Classic Car Auctions

During his time living in Chicago, Muhammad Ali, accompanied by his close friend and car enthusiast Tim Shanahan, set out to buy a new Rolls-Royce. They visited European and Italian imports in Lake Forest, Illinois, in search of a Kelly Green Corniche and possibly, a Mercedes-Benz SL for his wife Veronica Porsche.

Unfortunately, the dealership lacked any Mercedes SLs in stock at the time so the new 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Series II was suggested. Ali loved the car and figured it would be perfect for Veronica. He ended up buying the Corniche and the Alfa Romeo and later brought the cars home.

Unfortunately, to Ali’s dismay, Veronica Porche didn’t know how to drive the Alfa Romeo’s manual transmission, so the car mostly sat and was occasionally used to run errands by Ali’s assistants. About two years later, Muhammad Ali went on to gift the vehicle to his friend Tim Shanahan, who had his car stolen. Tim Shanahan owned the 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider for more than forty years until its sale to MotoeXotica.

Powering the Spider Veloce Series II is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with double overhead cams and fuel injection. The Italian Sports car runs on a rear-wheel drivetrain and a five-speed manual transmission manufactured by Alfa Romeo. She features a small two-seater cabin on a relatively low beltline, with a flat hood and two circular-shaped headlights on the front that successfully delivered a classic aura. The 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Series II is estimated at a rough $42,900 today.

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Ali's 1959 Jewelled Mercedes-Benz Golden Angel Wing

1959 Jewel Encrusted Mercedes-Benz Golden Angel Wing
KCRA News Via YouTube

Embedded with over 270 precious jewels and 23-karat gold, The 1959 Mercedes-Benz Golden Angel Wing was a jewel store on wheels. Modified in the early 1980s, the Mercedes-Benz Golden Angel Wing was initially a gift to an unnamed member of a royal family. The limited edition Mercedes-Benz was later gifted to boxing’s “Greatest of all time”, Muhammad Ali by the wealthy admirer of his craft.

Behind all the Mink, the vintage Mercedes-Benz features an inline six-cylinder gasoline engine, a manual four-speed transmission shifted on the column and a push-to-start ignition system. The boxing legend truly loved cruising around in the car as it complimented his unique, flamboyant disposition. Today, Muhammad Ali’s Golden Angel wing is priced at an estimated $1.5 million.

The world champion later succumbed to illness after a long 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease and other respiratory complications. On June 3, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona U.S, Muhammad Ali passed on at the age of 74. He leaves an unmatched legacy, not only in the ring but also for his love and appreciation for luxury automobiles. He symbolized many successes and achievements that he and his fans recognized and a legacy that we all look up to.

Sources: Bonhams, KCRA News Via YouTube