Rowan Atkinson and His Love for Cars - Coastal Motor Advisory

What cars does Rowan Atkinson own?

His Fascinating Collection: A Look at His Collection. Iconic actor and star of ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘Blackadder’, Rowan Atkinson, is himself an avid car enthusiast, passion for high performance, and luxury vehicles. Behind the scenes, his on screen persona is a bumbling, clumsy mess, but when it comes to cars, Atkinson is nothing close, it’s a world that he totally loves. His collection is a mixture of classic cars, supercars of today and old British luxury, telling the story of his admiration of both the craft and the engineering behind these machines. In this blog post we look into Rowan Atkinson’s excellent car collection and see how his love of cars somehow marries up with his larger than life personality.

Fast & Furious, because of passion for speed and engineering.

Rowan Atkinson’s love of cars is no passing hobby but a life long passion based on his fascination with engineering and mechanics. Atkinson has raced, penned articles for motoring publications (including Car and Evo), and is regarded as a man of hands on attitude to, amongst other things, driving and looking after his cars. Atkinson collects cars for the experience of driving, that beauty of a finely engineered machine, rather than status. He’s been forthright about his idea that cars should be driven and enjoyed, rather than parked in a garage to function as a static investment. Atkinson’s garage contains a collection of cars spanning many decades, some classic British cars, modern super cars, vintage luxury vehicles, as well as a revolutionary mix of all three rolled into one. You can check out our cars here.

Rowan Atkinson’s Car Collection

Notable Cars Let’s explore some of the standout vehicles that make up Rowan Atkinson’s car collection:

1. McLaren F1

Perhaps the most famous car in Atkinson’s collection was his McLaren F1, the sort of car regarded by many as one of the greatest supercars ever created. In 1997, Atkinson bought McLaren F1 for around AUD 1.2 million – a king’s ransom at the time – but a pittance compared to what the car’s value is now. Atkinson sold his F1 for AUD 18 million in 2015 – after having owned the car for almost 18 years – displaying the exploding value of this iconic car. The McLaren F1 runs on an over 6.1 liter V12 engine which hit speeds of more than 386 km/h (240 mph). Atkinson regularly drove the car despite its incredible value — and even played the odds with two very serious crashes. In 2011 one of these crashes led to a repair bill of over AUD 1.6 million and is one of the biggest car insurance payouts in British history.

2. Zagato Aston Martin V8 Vantage

A standout in Rowan Atkinson’s collection is an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato – it’s a super rare and highly collectable car. Atkinson knows a strong history with this car and only 52 units were ever produced. Powered by a 5.3-liter V8 delivering an exhilarating drive, the Aston Martin DBS makes old school engineering jazzy in perfect Italian style and design by Zagato. A former winner of this event in an Aston Martin, Atkinson has a special connection to the Aston Martin brand. One of the more unique cars in his collection is the V8 Vantage Zagato, which if he’d decide to sell, would command around AUD 800,000.

3. Aston Martin DB2

Atkinson has several vintage British sports cars, one of his favorites being the 1950s Aston Martin DB2. It’s a classic and helped forge the Aston Martin legacy into a premier manufacturer of high performance cars. Elegant lines of the DB 2 with 2.6-litre engine provide this classic car a timeless look, even for today’s automobile fleet. But if it is Atkinson’s preference to drive his DB2 and other vehicles on the road rather than locking them away, he has proven he is not shy about doing so by driving his DB2 in vintage car rallies. Historically, the Aston Martin DB2 is worth around AUD 350,000.

4. A Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Motor Yacht.

But then, when it comes to the luxe, few cars are, or are likely to become, as ultimate a display of opulence as Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupe, one more of Atkinson’s stunnners. It is known for its unparalleled craftsmanship and powered by a 6.75 liter V12, is the smooth, quiet ride of the Phantom Drophead Coupe a symbol of British luxury. But this convertible is not a car; it’s a declaration of elegance and sophistication. Atkinson often cruises in style in the AUD 1.1 million Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

5. Honda NSX

Atkinson’s collection is very focused towards high end supercars and high end cars however he has a soft spot for the Honda NSX or short for New Sportscar Experimental, is a Japanese sports car that has reliability and performed well too. This mid engine car was first to bring supercar level performance to a broader market, thanks to its advanced engineering. Atkinson’s Honda NSX costs AUD 150,000 or so, a car he describes as ‘balanced, well handling’, and important to the driving purist. What makes this a practical but exciting sports car is that Atkinson likes cars that run well regardless of the brand or price.

6. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Another highlight in Atkinson’s car collection is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG — it has iconic gullwing doors and a extremely powerful V8 engine. The SLS AMG offers power and performance of Grand Tourer proportions with an unmatched touch of luxury. The SLS AMG has over 570 horsepower, with a 6.2 V8 engine, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a respectable 3.8 seconds. Atkinson’s Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which is priced at around AUD 500,000, simply proves his passion for high performance road cars that are both equally as handsome as they are fast. Although Rowan Atkinson rarely appears without his beloved Middleweather Saab 995 series car, the author owned no fewer than ten.

What makes Rowan Atkinson different from many celebrity car collectors?

It is his car ownership philosophy. Atkinson has never thought of cars as something to be admired, but as something to be driven. Unlike collectors hoarding their cars wrapped up so tight in pristine condition they never leave the garage, Atkinson actually drives his cars out on road trips, to car races, to coffee at the dump, etc. His car ownership beliefs are somehow practical but also intensely passionate. But involved in several accidents in his McLaren F1, he went on to drive it afterward, as he treasures the feeling of sitting in that driving position. Unique in the ranks of car collectors, Atkinson is willing to drive and enjoy his cars.

Conclusion:

Rowan Atkinson’s acting career is not the only thing that should make you click on anymore. Atkinson’s collection is a mix of rare classics, high performance supercars and cruisers of the luxurious kind — all reflecting a deep love of the mechanics and the artistry of automobiles. His cars range from the iconic McLaren F1 to the elegant Rolls Royce Phantom to making his love for driving and his appreciation for craftsmanship known to the world. Atkinson is not just a collector, he is a true car enthusiast that thinks cars are meant to be enjoyed. Unlike other celebrity car owners, Mr. Huntington’s hands on approach to his cars – and his cars only – make his collection among the most interesting and personal in the automotive world. If you would like to discuss this further please contact the team at Coastal Motor Advisory.

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