Tina Turner, the legendary Queen of Rock ‘n Roll, was not only known for her incredible musical career but also for her love of cars. In this article, we explore her passion for luxury automobiles and how they provided her with a sense of freedom and privacy in a life filled with fame and success.
Escaping the Spotlight
For Turner, cars represented a way to escape the constant spotlight that came with her celebrity status. In her autobiography, My Love Story, she describes one of her favorite escapes as driving her Jaguar, a secret pleasure that allowed her to be alone and free.
A Love Affair with Jaguar
Turner’s love for Jaguar cars began in the 1970s when she was gifted a white Jaguar XJ6 from fellow American music artist Sammy Davis Jr. Her assistant had suggested the English car, knowing Turner’s fondness for them. This gift ignited Turner’s love for fast cars, leading her to acquire another Jaguar, the silver E-Type model, in 1973.
Life in the Fast Lane
After her divorce from Ike Turner in 1978 and the release of her comeback album, Private Dancer, Turner indulged in her passion for luxury cars by purchasing a Lamborghini LM002 in 1984. She later customized the rare SUV with her then-partner and eventual husband, Erwin Bach, by replacing its original V-12 engine and manual transmission with a V-8 engine and an automatic gearbox from a Mercedes-Benz 500E. They eventually sold the unique SUV in 2008.
Swiss Luxury on Wheels
When Turner relocated to Switzerland in 1995, she continued to pursue her love for cars by owning multiple G-Wagen vehicles. Her collection of luxury cars continued to grow over the years, including an XJS Lynx Eventer shooting brake, and she even chose a Phantom Drophead as her wedding car for her 2013 nuptials to Bach.
Remembering Tina Turner
As we remember Tina Turner’s incredible musical achievements, we also celebrate her passion for luxury cars, particularly Jaguars. Her love for cars provided her with rare moments of solitude and freedom amidst a life of fame and success.
