Forget the typical rockstar garages filled with flashy sports cars; Neil Young, the folk-rock icon, boasts a car collection as unique and unconventional as his music, reflecting his deep environmentalism and down-to-earth persona. It’s a fascinating blend of petrol passion and planetary preservation that makes his choices truly special.
Neil Young’s automotive choices are a direct reflection of his values, showcasing a curated collection that aligns with his eco-conscious lifestyle and his distinctive persona, rather than chasing the latest supercar trends. These vehicles are more than just transportation; they are extensions of his artistic expression and activism.
From humble beginnings to audacious eco-innovations, Young’s rides tell a story as compelling as any of his ballads. He finds “soul, design, culture, expression” in these magnificent machines, firmly believing in the concept of a “great vehicle’s living contribution and soul.” So, prepare to dive deep into the fascinating world of Neil Young’s garage, where vintage Americana meets pioneering green technology, and where every vehicle has a tale to tell. Let’s hit the road and explore the first half of these truly iconic machines, each one a testament to his exceptional taste!
1. **1948 Buick Roadmaster Hearse – “Mort Hearseberg”: The Unlikely Bandmate**Imagine your first car. Most of us picture some beat-up sedan or a compact hand-me-down, right? Not Neil Young, the man started his automotive journey with a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Hearse. Yes, a hearse. This profoundly unconventional choice, revealed in a 2014 interview, proved from the outset that his taste was anything but ordinary, perfectly encapsulating his anti-establishment cool.
He affectionately dubbed this macabre but incredibly practical ride “Mort Hearseberg.” It wasn’t just for shock value or a morbid sense of humor, though. Young told GQ, “I used to carry my band equipment around [in it].” He elaborated, “I had rollers in the back, and the amplifiers would slide in and out very easily, just like the coffins used to.” Talk about repurposing with purpose, this car was a crucial, albeit spooky, member of the early band, enabling his musical dreams on the road.
Young, ever the poet of the prosaic, mused, “I think the hearse itself was a very happy hearse to be reassigned.” This sentiment speaks volumes about his unique perspective on objects, especially cars. This hearse wasn’t just a vehicle; it was a character in his unfolding story, so much so that it inspired one of his most beloved songs, “Long May You Run.” The enduring nature of that tune perfectly mirrors the spirit of a car that refused to be confined to its original, somber destiny.
Young’s tradition of owning hearses, like Mort Hearseberg, and even an ambulance hearse, highlights his practical and unconventional approach to vehicles, treating them as functional, even artistic, tools that inspire his creative process.
2. **1947 Buick Roadmaster Sedan – “Fastback”: Soul, Design, Culture, Expression**If the hearse was a practical, punk-rock statement, his 1947 Buick Roadmaster sedan is pure automotive poetry, a piece of art on wheels. Young considers this car one of his most prominent collector pieces, a genuine icon. When asked about what attracts him to specific makes, he told NPR in 2014, “Soul, design, culture, expression — the one that is probably the most beautiful is a ’47 Buick Roadmaster sedan.” You can almost hear the reverence in his voice for this magnificent machine.
He even bestowed a nickname upon his Roadmaster: “Fastback.” This wasn’t just some random classic he picked up; Young firmly believes the ’47 Roadmaster is a “classic” American design, and anyone with eyes can see he’s absolutely right. The car truly embodied Buick’s most popular body style of the era, a sweeping masterpiece of steel. It’s rounded gracefully across the top, with those distinctive flared front bumpers that stretch elegantly across the front axle and wheels, giving it an undeniable presence and smooth lines.
The aesthetic appeal continues along the back edge of the passenger compartment, where the body rounds down into a pair of subtle bubbles. These elegant curves, which Young himself noted “might resemble saddlebags on a classic Harley-Davidson,” spiral around the back corners to complete a genuinely aerodynamic and stylish vintage auto. It’s a design that whispers sophistication and timeless class rather than shouting extravagance, fitting Young’s understated yet powerful persona perfectly. It’s a masterclass in automotive art.
Under the hood, this beauty featured a 320.2 cubic inch, OHV straight-eight engine, adding dramatically to the allure of this stylish vessel. This powerhouse made it perfect for cruising around town or embarking on long highway journeys, delivering smooth, reliable performance. For Young, this car isn’t just metal and machinery; it’s a living, breathing entity, a “living contribution and soul,” as he described in his 2014 book “Special Deluxe.” It truly lives in his custom-built barn, designed to house his most prized automotive possessions.
3. **1959 Lincoln Continental – The LincVolt: Merging Power with Purpose**Now, let’s talk about one of the most visible and ideologically significant cars in Young’s collection: his 1959 Lincoln Continental. This white-cream convertible is a majestic embodiment of 1950s American automotive design, showcasing that larger-than-life aesthetic Young openly adored. He once told The New York Times, “With all this talk about gas, people are saying we should go to small cars. But I love big American cars with power, why give up on that?” He wasn’t about to give up on that power, but he was certainly going to rethink its source.
But here’s the twist, and it’s a seismic one. While he loved the grandeur and power of American muscle, it seemingly clashed with his passionate environmental advocacy. So, Neil Young, ever the visionary and a man unwilling to accept an either/or scenario, devised a brilliant plan to reconcile these two worlds. This wasn’t about compromise; it was about audacious innovation, a true testament to his forward-thinking spirit.
He teamed up with “automotive genius” Jonathan Goodwin to transform his Continental into the now-famous LincVolt. The project involved meticulously swapping out the stock V8 engine for an electric motor, specifically designed to still deliver high output. This ambitious conversion created a hybrid electric car, fueled by a small biodiesel engine and a large lithium-ion battery pack, a pioneering endeavor. It was a bold statement, aiming to prove that even massive, luxurious classic cars could shed their carbon footprint without sacrificing their desirable qualities, showing the world that green can be grand.
Goodwin, the man behind the wrench, recounted Young’s infectious enthusiasm to The Times, noting, “There have been times where Neil will get out of a concert at midnight or 1 a.m., charter a $60,000 flight and come here to work on the project.” That’s not just passion; that’s absolute, unwavering dedication to a cause. The LincVolt perfectly encapsulates Young’s hands-on approach, his profound environmental commitment, and his belief that big American cars can indeed drive into a greener future. It’s perhaps the quintessential car in his garage, embodying who he is at his very core, a true fusion of past and future.
4.The 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe was an impromptu acquisition for Neil Young, bought for a modest $1,800 after a friend tipped him off at a bar, quickly becoming a cherished favorite due to its unique character.
This wasn’t just another car; it was a companion, a silent witness to countless moments in Young’s life. He chronicled its significance in his 2014 autobiographical book, aptly titled “Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life And Cars.” This isn’t just a nod to the car’s model name, but a testament to how truly special this vehicle was to him. The book, in a charming touch, even sells for a symbolic $18.00 price tag, mirroring its original purchase cost.
Within the pages of his memoir, Young paints vivid pictures of the memories this car holds. He recounts idyllic times with his beloved Tennessee Bluetick hound, Elvis, who had a special affinity for the back seat, often commandeering it with his blanket. But beyond canine companionship, the Plymouth also played a pivotal role in Young’s personal life, providing a means to rebuild a bond with his sometime estranged father, symbolizing shared journeys and renewed connections.
Whether he was driving around the potholed roads near his ranch for hours on end or creating new memories, this vintage classic was more than just transportation. It was a vessel of personal history, a backdrop to evolving relationships, and a testament to the fact that some of the most cherished possessions are those acquired not for their status, but for the stories they come to hold. The Special Deluxe, purchased on a lark, is certainly a special and prominent addition to his remarkable collection.
5.Neil Young’s 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark Convertible, a rare anniversary model in fiery red, perfectly embodies his appreciation for classic American automotive design from a bygone era.
As the very first production unit of the limited-edition 1953 Buick Skylark, Young’s convertible is exceptionally rare, further personalized with a custom steering wheel that proudly bears his name.
Underneath its exquisite exterior, the Skylark was powered by a 322 cubic-inch “Fireball” nailhead V8 engine, harnessing a respectable 188 horsepower. But it wasn’t just about raw power; Buick engineered this engine with meticulous care. Each piston was custom fitted to its cylinder, a detail that translated into a remarkably long-lasting lifespan and ensured efficient, quiet mechanical functionality while cruising down the highway or around town. It was a sophisticated powerplant for a sophisticated machine.
Beyond its powerful engine, the Skylark also boasted significant improvements in its suspension system, ensuring an incredibly smooth ride over a variety of driving conditions. Buick equipped the vehicle with coil springs at each corner and hydraulic shock absorbers, creating a cushioned journey for its occupants. Furthermore, the front end included an independent anti-roll bar, specifically designed to minimize any tilt in the car’s body from front to back, enhancing stability and comfort, making every drive a pleasure.
Young eventually sold this iconic convertible in 2017 for a staggering $400,000, a clear indicator of its enduring value and desirability among collectors. This 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark isn’t just a car; it’s a piece of pure retro Americana, reflecting Young’s profound respect for automotive history and his unwavering love for classic cars that embody craftsmanship and timeless style. It is, without a doubt, a rare anniversary gem.
6. **1941 Chrysler Series 28 Windsor Highlander Coupe – The Star-Studded Mystery**Neil Young’s eclectic collection isn’t just about the Buicks or the groundbreaking conversions; it also delves into other significant American marques. Take, for instance, his 1941 Chrysler Series 28 Windsor Highlander Coupe, a car that came up for auction in 2017 as Young began thinning out his extensive collection. This vehicle hails from Chrysler’s hugely successful 1940s heyday, a period when American automotive design was truly flourishing, showcasing a blend of elegance and robust engineering.
The 1941 Chrysler Series 28 Windsor Highlander coupe, the most prestigious model, featured a unique three-seater configuration and a luxurious interior with distinctive tartan plaid inserts.
What made this particular Chrysler even more intriguing, according to Young himself, was its alleged previous owner: none other than the King of Cool, Steve McQueen. Imagine the allure of owning a motor that had belonged to not one, but two showbiz icons – a dream for any collector! Such a provenance would undoubtedly elevate the car’s status and value significantly, blending rock and roll legend with Hollywood royalty.
However, despite Young’s assertion, there was sadly no definitive proof of this starry heritage. This lack of concrete evidence likely played a role in the car reaching a relatively modest $35,200 at auction. While it didn’t fetch the astronomical sums a proven McQueen car might, it remains a fascinating piece within Young’s collection, a testament to his appreciation for classic American design and perhaps, a touch of romantic speculation about its past. It’s a prime example of a car chosen for its inherent qualities, rather than just a flashy price tag.
7. **1960 Lincoln Continental Mark IV – The Fiery Experiment**Just when you think you’ve got Neil Young’s automotive tastes pinned down, he throws another curveball, albeit a rather fiery one. While we’ve already explored his pioneering 1959 Lincoln Continental LincVolt, his 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark IV tells a slightly different, more dramatic tale of his environmental ambitions. This project further underscores his commitment to embracing new technology over fossil fuels, even if the path was, shall we say, a bit more… explosive.
This particular 63,000-pound convertible, a true heavy-metal classic, was also built for Young by the “car wizard” Jonathan Goodwin. The ambitious theory behind it was to create a car that would run entirely on electricity, with that power generated by a bio-fuel engine. It was another audacious step towards a greener future, aiming to prove that massive American machines could be reimagined to shed their carbon footprint.
However, this particular experiment proved to be quite temperamental, famously catching fire in 2010 and causing significant damage to a warehouse containing about $1 million worth of music memorabilia, a stark contrast to its ’59 counterpart.
Despite the significant setback and the literal trials by fire, the car was eventually restored. It seems Neil Young, with his deep-seated belief in the potential for sustainable innovation, just couldn’t quit her. This 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark IV stands as a testament not just to his vision, but also to his resilience and unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, even when faced with monumental challenges. It embodies the spirit of experimentation, proving that sometimes, even a noble pursuit can have its dramatic, unforgettable moments.
Neil Young’s garage is a profound reflection of his life’s journey, principles, and passions, with each vehicle telling a story as complex as his music and demonstrating that a love for cars and environmental advocacy can beautifully coexist, all while maintaining his signature soulful charm.
