Nick Cage’s life can be described by the phrase ‘he lives dangerously’ and this applies to everything including his passion for cars. He has starred in many blockbuster films like Con Air and The Rock and the Oscar-winning film ‘Leaving Las Vegas.’ The star developed a reputation as an actor who was unafraid to make bold decisions on and off the set and that extended to his hobby of collecting vehicles. The man collected an unbelievable amount of rare cars from around the globe. Sadly, tax debts led to Cage selling off his prized possession. Even with that, some people would not be able to collect such an assortment of vehicles in their lifetime because they are rare and special.
Even though the debts in taxes he owed to the IRS led him to finally liquidate some of his cherished collection, the diversity and uniqueness of these cars continue to make his collection one of the legends in the automobile industry, each one with a unique story of history, construction, or Hollywood connections. Cage did not consider speed and flashiness to be the defining factors for choosing these automobiles; instead, they were regarded by him as rolling art pieces, selected for their uniqueness and beauty. Here is a detailed list of ten of his most spectacular cars.
1. Lamborghini Diablo VT
At the height of his career in movies during the 1990s, Cage acquired one of the most intimidating supercars in those days: the Lamborghini Diablo VT. The intimidating design of the machine combined with all-wheel drive and roaring V12 engine with more than 500 horsepower made it the perfect representation of a “devil”. The name “Diablo” is Spanish and means “Devil”.
Diablo VT Rare Details:
- Roaring V12 over 500hp
- All-wheel-drive supercar layout
- One of just 12 units
- Built for Lamborghini-Alpine audio collaboration
- Crashed by later owner 2013
The Lamborghini Diablo owned by Cage was even more unique than any other one, as it was built in 1999 as one out of twelve Lamborghinis built to commemorate the Lamborghini-Alpine audio collaboration. Although Cage did not keep the car for long, it received some attention in 2013 when it got its right rear quarter panel smashed by the new owner on a highway exit ramp.
2. Ferrari Enzo
After some extremely lucrative movie deals at the beginning of the 2000s-decade, Cage upgraded his garage collection of classic cars with an ultimate example of contemporary Italian engineering, namely the 2003 Ferrari Enzo. The car was created in honor of the brand’s founder, and features a 200-mph top speed and 6.0-liter V12 engine that allows the car to go from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.1 seconds.
Ferrari Enzo Ownership Saga:
- 200mph top speed capability
- 0-60 mph in 3.1s
- Bought new for $640,000
- Sold below market valuation
- Ferrari blacklisted him afterward
The hypercar was bought by Cage when it was brand new at a cost of approximately $640,000, and hence, it was considered one of the most important items among all the things that he ever owned. Nevertheless, due to financial constraints that forced him to sell the car at a price below the actual market value, Ferrari objected to this and blacklisted Cage from buying any car from their dealerships in future.
3. Bugatti Type 57C Atalante
Cage’s automotive taste extended far into pre-war elegance, highlighted by his 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante. Featuring a supercharged straight-8 engine and a sleek, hand-crafted two-seater body designed by Jean Bugatti, this rare French masterpiece is widely considered one of the finest automotive designs in history, admired as much for its artistry as for its engineering.
Bugatti Type 57C Heritage:
- Supercharged straight-8 engine design
- Jean Bugatti hand-crafted body
- Only 17 units produced
- Once owned by British Marquess
- Valued near $2.8 million
Considering that only 17 of this type of vehicle were ever made, Cage’s Type 57C had an interesting history, beginning with ownership of the 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley, who then sold it to America in the 1950s, and thus its history included both countries and different time periods. Its current value is estimated to be around $2.8 million, which was indicative of Cage’s interest in old-world craftsmanship not found in modern-day supercars.
4. Lamborghini Miura P400 SVJ
Showcasing his affinity for legendary Lamborghinis, Cage acquired a 1971 Miura P400 SVJ (chassis #4934). The Miura originally established the Italian brand on the global stage, and the ultra-exclusive SVJ specification added lightweight components and aerodynamic enhancements designed for track performance, transforming an already iconic shape into an even more focused, purpose-built machine.
Miura SVJ Royal Connection:
- Ultra-rare SVJ specification car
- Built originally for Shah of Iran
- Purchased at Geneva Brooks auction
- Bought for $497,500 in 1997
- Sold with under 3,000 miles
This particular chassis was extremely historically significant since it had been especially commissioned for Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was known as the Shah of Iran. Cage acquired the historically important car at a Brooks auction that took place in Geneva in 1997 at a price of $497,500 and enjoyed it only until he sold it to a collector from Great Britain after it had been driven only about 3,000 miles.
5. Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet
Designed by Pininfarina, the 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet represents the golden era of open-top Italian motoring. With its clean lines, hood scoop, and knock-off wheels, the vehicle combined dignified luxury with a spirited 3.0-liter V12 engine capable of producing 240 horsepower, blending everyday drivability with genuine performance credentials rarely found together in cars of this vintage.
250 GT Cabriolet Rarity:
- Pininfarina-designed open-top body
- Only 40 units built
- 3.0-liter V12, 240 horsepower
- Purchased for around $3 million
- Now valued over $6.8 million
Pininfarina manufactured only 40 units of this Series 1 Cabriolet, making it an exceptionally rare find for collectors even within Ferrari’s own storied lineup of classic models. Cage reportedly purchased his example for around $3 million, and its market valuation has since surged to well over $6.8 million today, reflecting the steadily climbing prices commanded by rare vintage Ferraris in the modern collector car market.
6. 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 “Eleanor”
Proof that Cage still fantasizes about his iconic cinematic roles, he managed to acquire an actual “Eleanor” Mustang used during the filming of the 2000 remake Gone In Sixty Seconds. The production team utilized two 1967 Mustangs for filming, and Cage secured one directly after wrapping, giving him a genuine piece of his own on-screen legacy to keep as a permanent memento.
Eleanor Mustang Movie Legacy:
- Screen-used Gone In Sixty Seconds car
- One of two filming Mustangs
- Acquired directly after production wrapped
- Sold at Mecum Kissimmee 2020
- Auction price reached $852,000
He probably does that signature twitchy thing that made his character Memphis Raines memorable for all the wrong reasons. Two decades after the movie hit theaters, Cage put his iconic muscle car up for auction in Florida at the Mecum Kissimmee event in 2020, where it sold for a stunning $852,000, a price that reflects both the car’s screen fame and its direct connection to Cage himself.
7. 1955 Jaguar D-Type
Transitioning from brawny movie star to motorsports kingpin, Cage acquired a rare green 1955 Jaguar D-Type that was specially developed for dominating the 24 hours of Le Mans in the 1950s. In addition to having an impressive motorsport pedigree, this car was also equipped with street trim making it a true motorsport classic, not just a cool old car.
Jaguar D-Type Racing Pedigree:
- Built for 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Rare green street-legal example
- Purchase price nearly $10 million
- Sold through RM Sotheby’s 2002
- Auctioned to cover IRS debts
As an iconic piece of British motorsport history, the acquisition came at a price of about $10 million for the actor, which made it one of the most expensive cars in his garage. Sadly, just like the rest of his garage, the legend was not kept by him for too long, and Cage sold the car at RM Sotheby’s in 2002 in order to pay off his debts to the IRS.
8. 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
In showing his love for pre-war British luxuries, Cage chose to own a 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II that had continentally equipped specifications and the “windswept” bodywork designed by Brewster. Having a 7.7 liter straight-six engine which produced 120 horsepower, this automobile became one of the classic examples that show how the luxurious cars of the time valued style over power.
Phantom II Vintage Rarity:
- Brewster “windswept” coachwork design
- 7.7-liter straight-6, 120hp
- Only 19 pre-war coupes built
- One of nine Phantoms owned
- Featured in Sorcerer’s Apprentice film
Though the actor has been the proud owner of no less than nine Phantoms in his lifetime, this one stands out as undoubtedly one of the coolest, as it is one of the 19 coupes that were ever made before the Second World War. This metal-blue beauty was glimpsed in one of Nicolas Cage’s movies The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in 2010, and it is said that the actor fell in love with the car while making the movie.
9. 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster
Cage’s black-on-black 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster convertible came with a bizarre backstory that reads like a Hollywood crime script. Scheduled for auction in 2002, the highly collectible Porsche was stolen during transit right before the event, turning what should have been a routine sale into a genuine mystery that captured widespread media attention.
Porsche Speedster Heist Story:
- Stolen during pre-auction transit
- Joyridden an extra 100 miles
- Submerged in 12-foot lake
- Covered by Playboy and People
- Sold at Barrett-Jackson 2008
The robbers went on a joy ride with the open-top sport car, clocking 100 more miles on the car before abandoning it carelessly in a 12 feet deep lake, a fate that looked like it could not get any more dramatic. The heist became a news story in all the major news media, from Playboy to People Magazine. After restoring the car, putting in an additional 250 miles, the famous Porsche was finally sold in the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas in October 2008.
10. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder
Highlighting his endless fascination with Italian sports cars, Cage added a black 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder to his collection. The model earned legendary pop-culture status through films like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, though Cage thankfully never appeared in that movie, a distinction that only adds to the car’s already iconic reputation among collectors and film fans alike.
California Spyder Collector Value:
- 34th of only 51 built
- 3.0-liter V12, 237 horsepower
- 195 lb-ft of torque
- Long-wheelbase collector configuration
- Valued as high as $17.99 million
Cage’s version of this model is the 34th one out of total 51 ever produced and has long-wheelbase configuration with 3.0-liter V12 engine giving 237 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. As a very collectible model the price of this car goes as high as $17.99 million at auctions. Nick Cage’s legendary automobile collection proves once again that car collecting is not just about money, it is about feeling history and the spirit of the car. Although financial troubles led to selling these cars around the world, this collection will be remembered for a long time.
