Summary

• Rowan Atkinson's impressive car collection features rare and exotic models, including a one-of-a-kind 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32.
• In addition to being a collector, Atkinson is also a racing enthusiast and has participated in two seasons of racing in the Renault 5 GT Turbo's one-make racing series.
• One of his favorite cars was the McLaren F1, which he owned for 17 years and eventually sold for a staggering £8 million after it gained significant attention wherever he went.

Rowan Atkinson has been delighting us for decades as the comedic genius behind iconic television and movie roles like the iconic Mr.Bean star and bumbling super-spy Johnny English. However, car enthusiasts know him for another reason, his totally legitimate car collection. He is an avid automobile enthusiast and has amassed some of the greatest exotic cars ever made. His impressive collection even contains some very special one-of-one models - like his ultra-rare 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32. This is quite impressive, especially considering the fact that only nine of them were ever sold in the U.K.

An ardent racing enthusiast, Sir Rowan not only collects exquisite automobile treasures but also indulges his need for speed on the racetrack. He frequently dedicates his time to the track, even participating in two seasons of racing within the Renault 5 GT Turbo's one-make racing series. When asked recently about his favorite car, he provided a response that couldn't be more fitting. In 1997, he acquired one of the fastest production cars ever manufactured - the legendary McLaren F1.

Cherishing it for 17 years and covering 40,000 miles, he eventually parted ways with it for an astounding eight million pounds. The decision stemmed from the attention the car still commanded whenever he ventured out with it. Clearly, this exceptional vehicle remains closely intertwined with his heart, an entirely understandable sentiment.

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10 1939 BMW 328

Top Speed: 96 MPH

The BMW 328 established an enduring foothold in the annals of automotive history, reigning as the champion of the 1930s racing circuit. Rowan's 1939 BMW stands out as a highly notable vehicle from its time: emerging victorious in the Mille Miglia, a race renowned for its intense atmosphere, passionate participants, and formidable challenges on the road.

Specifications

Restored meticulously, this car has been brought back to its prime condition. The BMW 328 Roadster emerged as a true marvel, tipping the scales at a mere 780 kilograms while boasting a modest 80 horsepower in its production configuration. The car’s engine output may seem paltry nearly a century later, but at the time, 80 horsepower was substantial. Further, the vehicle was super light thanks to its aluminum construction.

9 1993 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo II

Top Speed: 137 MPH

This fabled homologation special, which dominated WRC in the late 80s and early 90s, was a part of Rowan Atkinson’s collection until recently. He was absolutely smitten with the lively hatchback, and even claimed in a magazine column that he could not imagine “any car which could get you from P to Q faster than this one.”.

Specifications

This particular Lancia Delta Integrale was imported from Japan in 2011 with the original owner picking a rare “Lord Blue” color which adds to its appeal.

8 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint

Top Speed: 142 MPH

Prior to the Mustang, the automotive scene witnessed the presence of the Falcon Sprint. Compact, spirited, and equipped with a V-8 engine, this forerunner to the iconic ponycar had a relatively short lifespan of just three years. This particular Ford Falcon Sprint is actually a FIA race car and was custom-built to be eligible for races conducted by the FIA, Masters Historic Racing series, and the Historic Sports Car Club.

Specifications

Incidentally, this is also a car which Rowan Atkinson crashed at the Shelby Cup race at Goodwood in 2014. This car was put up for auction in 2021 after being owned by Mr Rowan Atkinson for a good 15 years.

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7 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500E

Top Speed: 155 MPH

Among a select group of 500E vehicles, this specific model holds the distinction of being one of merely 29 officially brought into the UK. The 500E was the ultimate sleeper car, powered by a 5.0-Liter V-8 churning out 322 horsepower while looking like a sedate bank manager’s car.

Specifications

The comedian acquired it as a brand-new possession in 1991, retaining ownership for a span of four years before parting ways. Then interestingly, after a lapse of 23 years, Atkinson reacquired the car from the very same individual in 2017 to whom he had initially sold it.

6 2002 Honda NSX

Top Speed: 168 MPH

The NSX was a car that Honda originally put together to take on the likes of Ferrari back in the early 90s. As the brand's flagship sportscar, Honda threw in the kitchen sink when conceiving the NSX and even roped in legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna for his input during the development phase.

Specifications

The NSX received a facelift in 2002 where it ditched the popup headlights to keep up with the times. The mid-engined Japanese sportscar had a 3.0-liter V-6 that produced 252 horsepower and 104 pound-feet of torque.

5 1977 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage

Top Speed: 170 MPH

When the V-8 Vantage was first introduced in 1977, it was called Britain’s First Supercar due to its 170 MPH top speed. In March 1984, the vehicle was procured by Mr. Rowan Atkinson as the third owner. This car was especially close to his heart, as this was one of the first sports cars he splurged

on.

Specifications

Subsequently, in the same year, a conversion from left-hand to right-hand drive was executed (presumed to be carried out by Aston Martin Works Service). During his ownership of the Vantage, Rowan participated in an interview with Autocar magazine where he remarked, "An Aston, especially in a burgundy hue, exudes a Bentley-like aura. This is the rationale behind opting for it over a Ferrari. Ultimately, the expenditure is comparable, yet the Aston possesses a greater subtlety."

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4 1986 Aston Martin V8 Zagato

Top Speed: 186 MPH

Another rare example in the British comic's collection, is a 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato. A mere 52 instances of the coupé and merely 37 of the convertible were meticulously crafted during the period spanning 1986 to 1990. As the name suggests, the body of the car was based on the Aston Martin V8 and the body was made by Italian coach builder Zagato.

Specifications

Initially emerging as chassis number 20013 from the production line, Atkinson's ownership of this automotive gem began in 1998. A confirmed car aficionado, the comedian swiftly embarked on the journey of transforming the car into a racing powerhouse, meticulously aligning it with the exacting specifications required for the Aston Martin Owner's Club’s C2 Class "Mildly Modified" category

3 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Birkin Edition

Top Speed: 185 MPH

Bentley first introduced the Mulsanne Birkin Edition as an exclusive tribute to legendary 'Bentley Boy' Sir Henry 'Tiger' Tim Birkin. Crafted with meticulous attention to Birkin's distinctive preferences, this car captures his essence.

Specifications

Featuring personalized 21-inch wheels, exclusive 'Flying B' insignia intricately stitched into the headrests, and a selection of three distinct body hues, the production was limited to just 22 units, exclusively available in Europe.

2 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead

Top Speed: 200 MPH

We are not talking about an ordinary Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead, if such a thing exists, but instead, a one-off build fitted with an experimental 9.0-Liter V-16 engine. Rolls-Royce had made three or four of these exploratory engines while development of the Phantom was going on, but they never intended to put one in a production car.

Specifications

Rowan Atkinson, having heard of them, politely requested them to put one in the Phantom which was going to be featured in the first Johnny English movie in 2002. The result is quite spectacularly shown off in the film, however, no official performance figures were ever released by Rolls-Royce.

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1 1997 Mclaren F1

Top Speed: 240 MPH

He owned it for a remarkable span of 17 years since he bought it in 1997, during which it has gracefully clocked 41,000 miles—an impressive feat for a high-performance hypercar. Only 106 examples of the F1 were ever made, of which only 64 were road versions.

Specifications

The chassis number of Atkinson’s model was 61, which he $830K. Despite weathering two substantial crashes, he finally sold the car for a whopping £8 Million, more than recouping his investment. Suddenly, the hefty £910,000 repair bill, which is the highest insurance payment in the history of the UK, incurred after its 2011 crash appears to have matured into a shrewd investment.

Rowan Atkinson has been revered worldwide for his comedic prowess, which has made him a cinematic icon. However, for his incredible car collection spanning rare classics and modern marvels has made him a legend in the automobile world - his assortment reflects his automotive passion. Interestingly, his most recent acquisition was a Jaguar E-Type replica, showcased in his latest Netflix series "Man Vs Bee," reaffirming his unending love for distinctive automobiles.