Does Elon Musk own a gas car?

[MacMila]

Yes, Elon Musk owns gasoline-powered cars. Public records and his own statements confirm he has owned at least two: a 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster and a Ford Model T. His ownership reflects an appreciation for automotive history and engineering, not a rejection of electric vehicles.

Key Details of Elon Musk's Gasoline Car Ownership:

Vehicle	Year	Context of Ownership	Musk's Notable Comment
Jaguar E-Type	1967	Personally owned and famously troublesome.	Called it a "bad girlfriend" due to frequent breakdowns.
Ford Model T	Early 20th Century	Part of his collection as a historic icon.	Valued for its historical significance in automotive manufacturing.

According to a 2015 report by CNBC, Musk mentioned both these vehicles. The Jaguar E-Type, a British sports car classic, was a project car he owned. He shared anecdotes about its unreliable nature, humorously comparing its maintenance needs to a high-maintenance relationship. The Ford Model T represents a seminal piece of automotive history, and owning one aligns with an interest in the evolution of transportation technology.

It's crucial to view this ownership within context. Musk's primary daily drivers and the vehicles he advocates for are Tesla's electric models. He has stated that driving modern electric vehicles makes operating internal combustion engine (ICE) cars feel antiquated. In a 2015 interview, he likened the experience to "riding a horse and using a flip phone."

His perspective draws a clear distinction between appreciation and advocacy. Owning historic ICE vehicles is about preserving engineering milestones. However, he consistently argues that for contemporary use, electric powertrains are superior in performance, efficiency, and sustainability. This isn't hypocrisy but a nuanced position held by many automotive enthusiasts who value heritage while championing innovation.

Market data from classic car insurers like Hagerty indicates that values for well-maintained examples of the 1967 Jaguar E-Type have appreciated significantly, often exceeding $150,000 for pristine models. This underscores their status as collectible assets, not primary transportation. Musk's ownership of such cars fits this collector profile.

Therefore, the answer is definitive: Elon Musk does own gas cars, specifically as collectibles. This fact does not contradict his role at Tesla but instead highlights a common duality in the auto industry—respecting the past while building the future. His ownership is limited to historically significant models, and his public stance remains firmly that electric vehicles are the superior choice for present and future mobility.

[McDelilah]

As a classic car restorer, I get this question a lot. Absolutely, he owns gas cars. The 1967 Jaguar E-Type is the big one. We all know that car in the community—beautiful but famously finicky. Musk calling it a "bad girlfriend" is spot on. They're gorgeous to look at, a dream to drive when they run, but they spend a lot of time in the garage needing attention. It’s a real project car, not something you'd rely on. His Ford Model T? That’s pure history on wheels. Owning one is like owning a museum piece. It shows he gets where cars came from, even while he’s building where they’re going.

[NorahAnn]

I’ve followed the EV industry for a decade, and Musk’s gas car ownership is often taken out of context. Here’s my take: it’s irrelevant to Tesla’s mission. He owns them as historical artifacts, not as endorsements of gasoline technology. The Jaguar and Model T are landmarks. By owning them, he’s acknowledging the engineering lineage that led to today’s cars, electric or not. His famous "horse and flip phone" quote perfectly frames his actual view: these old gas cars are obsolete for daily use. This isn’t a contradiction; it’s a coherent philosophy. You can preserve and enjoy vintage airplanes while still believing modern jets are the best way to fly. That’s exactly what he’s doing with cars.

[MacClara]

Yeah, he does. Look, it’s not a big secret. He had that old Jag he was always fixing up and a Model T. He’s talked about it in interviews. The key thing is he doesn’t drive them thinking they’re better than a Tesla. He’s said driving a gas car now feels old-fashioned. He keeps them because they’re cool pieces of history, like having a vintage watch or a first-edition book. It doesn’t mean he’s against his own product. It just means he likes cars, all kinds, especially the ones that tell a story. Most car guys with the means have a garage with a mix of old and new.

[PenelopeDella]

From an automotive historian’s perspective, Musk’s collection makes perfect sense. The Ford Model T is arguably the most important car of the 20th century, democratizing personal transportation. The Jaguar E-Type, unveiled in 1961, was declared “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari and is a pinnacle of 1960s sports car design. Owning these is less about fuel type and more about stewarding cultural and mechanical icons. It demonstrates an understanding that progress is built upon precedent. His ownership aligns with a tradition where industry leaders—from Henry Ford to Soichiro Honda—respected the engineering achievements that preceded them. This historical consciousness informs a more profound vision for the future, ensuring that the shift to electrification is viewed as an evolution, not an erasure, of automotive heritage.