With a 183 million records sold, The Beatles is one of the most popular music groups of all time. Paul McCartney played a huge part in this as a bass guitarist and songwriter. But he wasn't only a talented musician, he also possessed a great love for cars. From sports cars to sedans, he has owned some that would go on to be great classics.
Some of these cars would add to his notoriety. From Rolls-Royces to Lamborghinis, he would purchase several new cars. With Paul McCartney sharing lead vocal duties with the iconic John Lennon, the Beatles' popularity grew, and so did McCartney's car collection. More sales increased Paul McCartney's net worth by degrees. In this article, we'll look at 10 of his most prized cars.
10 1962 Ford Consul Classic
Paul McCartney’s first car. Following in the steps of Ringo who purchased a Mark II Ford Zodiac, McCartney needed a Ford. Built by Ford UK between 1961 and 1963, the Ford Consul Classic is a quirky, British 4-door sedan. They designed it around the luxury experience. A large boot space and roomy interior made the Consul classic a great tourer. Front disc brakes, dimming dashboard lights and a cigar lighter were all included.
Although it is not quick by today’s standards, Paul was fined and disqualified from driving for 12 months after speeding in his Consul Classic. It made use of a 1.3-liter straight-4 Overhead Valve engine, making 54hp. However, due to initial issues with the crankshaft breaking, Ford switched to a 1.5-liter engine that made 59 hp.
9 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette C5 is the 5th generation of the iconic American sportscar. Of course, Paul McCartney needed to have one and his chosen generation was the C5. The former Beatle keeps his Corvette safely tucked away in his LA home. With a composite-fiberglass body and a 5.7-liter LS1 engine making 345hp, the C5 is a rocket. It is the first Corvette to use the "LS" engine, which is coveted by American tuners today.
The car was designed from the ground up by GM. A more aerodynamic body style meant a drag coefficient of 0.29 for the Corvette C5. GM opted for composite leaf springs rather than the traditional coil springs. This resulted in a lower ride height and smoother cornering.
8 1967 Lamborghini 400GT (2+2)
Among the Beatles cars, the Lamborghini 400GT is perhaps the rarest. Only 224 were made. Paul McCartney purchased his around 1968, while the Band were completing their last album. Lamborghini are known for going all out on their engines. The 400GT uses a 3.9-liter V12 and makes 320 hp. This was also Lamborghini's first foray into gearbox manufacturing with their synchromesh-type gears.
Similar in body shape to the Aston Martin DB5, the 400GT also uses the Superleggera construction system. Sleek lines and a longer wheelbase allowed for extra rear seating. It also integrates a roll bar and thicker C pillar, which were safety breakthroughs at the time.
7 1989 Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is an icon in its own right. Of course, it is not the fastest, nor the most luxurious SUV. Its practicality is what it's known for. McCartney purchased the vehicle for a Route 66 road trip with his then girlfriend Nancy Shevell in 2008. The 5th generation is perhaps the most notable one as the nameplate would go on a 20-year hiatus after it. Also, it was initially released with a 4.9-liter straight-six engine, but this was later upgraded to a 4.9-liter V8.
One of the earlier cars with keyless entry, the Ford Bronco is packed with features. 3-point passenger seatbelts, 4-wheel lock ABS and a driver's side airbag were introduced with the 1994 version. Crumple zones were designed into the frame of the SUV. A large boot and understated styling made the car practical to take off-road and to pack luggage in.
6 1965 Aston Martin DB5
As far as Beatles cars go, the Aston Martin DB5 is at the top of mountain, the DB5 is everything you need in a sports car. Of course, it is best known as the "James Bond" car. A Dual Overhead Cam 4.0-liter straight-six made 282HP. In 1965, this was almost triple what most consumer cars had.
Paul McCartney had become quite iconic at the time, hence he needed a car to match that status. The immaculate body lines were built using the Superleggera technique. The whole body is magnesium alloy, which makes the smoothness even more impressive. A full leather interior, electric windows and live rear axle make the DB5 extremely livable. No wonder Paul drove it for over 6 years.
5 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche
If you want the ultimate luxury sedan, the choices are endless. Rolls-Royce is one of the first names that spring to mind when money isn't an object. The Corniche is a 2-door coupe-style Rolls-Royce. Of course, after the Beatles broke up, Paul McCartney's net worth skyrocketed. So he needed a luxurious coupe to ferry his family around in style. Hydraulic leveling and a three-speed automatic made the drive comfortable for both driver and passenger.
In terms of power, the Corniche makes around 245hp from an overhead valve V8. In a 4,816 lbs package, the Corniche was not the quickest luxury coupe on the market at the time. It made up for this with full-grain leather seats and a wood-grain interior. The exterior is adorned with chrome accents. The bumpers, grille and wheels are all shiny chrome, with the spirit of ecstasy the most notable of the accents. Although he didn't actually own a private jet, his Corniche was just as luxurious.
4 1966 Austin Healey 3000
This is the infamous Austin Healey 3000 that Paul McCartney was killed in, in 1966. Of course, that rumor was dispelled fairly quickly as Paul was very much alive and kicking, and so was his Austin Healey. The car itself was fairly quick, with a 0-60 mph time of 11 seconds. A 3.0-liter straight six made 150hp in a 2500lb package. The open-top roof and nimble suspension made this a fun 2+2 convertible to drive and is one of the reasons it is still popular with the classic car community today.
It is not the most famous or rare of Paul McCartney's car collection, but deserves a mention. The iconic British convertible was extremely popular in North America and over 2000 were exported to the continent during its production run. Its short wheelbase allowed it to maneuver around tight corners in a quick fashion, making it a fun tourer for mountain runs.
3 1955 Land Rover Series I 86
Helen Wheels. The song most famously written by Paul McCartney about his Land Rover. The Series I 86 is almost as iconic as the song. It is the first mass-produced civilian four-wheel drive car. The 86 comes from the wheelbase length, which was increased from 80 inches to 86 inches in 1954. It became the gold standard for practicality. A 2.0-liter inline-four engine made 52 hp. The minimal interior made this horsepower more usable, as it weighed only 2,702lb.
These vehicles were known for their reliability. A "spread bore" engine that cylinders ran at cooler temperatures, reducing the damage that comes with constant heating and cooling. A disengaged front axle meant that it had non-permanent four-wheel drive. It used a ring-pull system to engage it. It also came standard with no door tops and roof, which were optional extras.
2 1966 Aston Martin DB6
Of all the Beatles' cars, the DB5 is perhaps the most iconic. So it makes sense that Paul McCartney went and bought himself another Aston Martin. It is strikingly similar in looks to the DB5, mainly because wind tunnel testing was done with a DB5. It's almost identical in proportions and hp numbers. A 3.0-Liter straight-six makes 282 hp.
However, there were some notable improvements. A raised roofline meant more headroom in the rear. Optional power steering and air-conditioning made it more comfortable to drive. It also abandoned the superleggera construction techniques opting for a more rigid body-on-frame design.
1 1972 Lamborghini S2 Espada
Having fallen in love with his 400GT, Paul McCartney yearned for another Lamborghini. He would purchase one in 1975. However, he would not enjoy this car as much and would sell it a few years later. Mostly on account of his wife Linda, letting it roll into a pond after leaving the handbrake down accidentally. The rare 4 seater Gran Tourer is powered by a Lamborghini V12 and designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. Only S2 575 Espadas were made.
Of course, the S2 Espada was quick. 325 hp in a 3,594lb car and a sleek body shape meant that it cut through winding roads. A five-speed manual made it intriguing to drive. A redesigned interior also made it more usable. The backseats are further from the center console than the previous generation. The sloping roofstyle lets more light in, so the cabin is not as claustrophobic as previous Lamborghini Coupes.