“People often say ‘a skyscraper starts from the ground,’ but when seeing Hollywood stars today arriving in Rolls-Royces and Ferraris, or sitting in top-tier electric cars with autonomous driving, have you ever wondered what these ‘rich folks’ first rides looked like before they hit it big and their pockets were ‘full of cash’?Recently, the tech and lifestyle media Jalopnik listed the ‘forgotten first cars’ of 10 famous celebrities. After reading, you might find that everyone’s starting point wasn’t actually that different, and some people’s tastes might even ‘drop your jaw.’ Today, we’ll talk about these milestone ‘starter cars’ and see what’s interesting about these classic old cars from the perspective of modern technology.
🚗 Will Smith: The Ford Era ‘Roasted’ by the Top Gear Host
When people think of Will Smith, they might imagine the cool sports cars in ‘Men in Black’ or that ‘earth-shattering slap’ at the Oscars. But when he appeared on the famous British car show ‘Top Gear,’ host Jeremy Clarkson didn’t give him any slack, ‘roasting’ Will Smith’s first car in front of everyone.
- Model: Ford Taurus
- Commentary: In the 80s and 90s, the Ford Taurus was synonymous with American family cars. Although its performance and appearance seem ‘average’ now, it was a pioneer in streamlined design back then. This car witnessed the key period when Will Smith transitioned from a rapper to a big-screen star. Although Clarkson mocked it as a ‘mediocre, boring car,’ for Will, who was still a newcomer at the time, this car represented his history of struggle.
🛻 Taylor Swift: This ‘Barbie Pink’ Pickup Is Truly Flashy
Today’s pop queen Taylor Swift changes private jets faster than we change phones, but her first car was surprisingly ‘Southern’ in style. On her 18th birthday, her record label gave her a very eye-catching birthday gift.
- Model: Pink Chevrolet Silverado
- Commentary: You read that right; this massive American pickup was painted in a girl-power pink. In the US country music scene, driving a pickup is standard, but a pink one is truly ‘flashy’ (gorgeous and eye-catching). Although Taylor later donated the truck for a charity auction, it symbolized her turning point from a country girl to a pop queen. From a modern tech perspective, this high-displacement gas-guzzler might not be eco-friendly, but at the time, it was definitely a status symbol.
🏎️ David Beckham: The Soccer Wonder Boy Also Drove a ‘Commoner’s Car’
World-class fashion icon and soccer legend David Beckham is now the brand ambassador for the luxury supercar brand Maserati, and his garage is full of limited-edition cars. But long before he became a Manchester United superstar, his ride was actually quite approachable.
- Model: Ford Escort Mk5
- Commentary: This was a common small car seen everywhere on British streets in the 90s. While it didn’t have any staggering horsepower, the Escort was the best ‘value for money’ choice for young British people back then. Seeing the well-dressed Beckham now, it’s hard to imagine him driving this manual small car to practice. This also tells us: it’s not about what car you drive, but who is in the driver’s seat.
💡 Tech Curator’s Ramblings: From Mechanical Nostalgia to the Digital Wave
Looking at these celebrities’ first cars, besides ‘killing two birds with one stone’ by listening to gossip, we can also discover huge shifts in technology:
- Interface Revolution: Celebrity cars back then were considered ‘top-tier’ if they just had a cassette player; now, even an entry-level model comes with a large touchscreen and Apple CarPlay.
- Safety Improvements: While Will Smith’s Ford Taurus had airbags at the time, compared to the Level 2 assisted driving that is standard now, it’s simply no contest (like an adult vs a child).
- Shift in Brand Value: Celebrities driving Fords used to feel very approachable; now, if tech moguls or stars drive a Tesla or Rivian, it represents a ‘sustainability’ fashion label.
In Summary:Everyone has a ‘first car’ in their heart. It might not be perfect; the AC might not be cold, or it might even ’emit black smoke’ when starting, but it carried our souls when we first entered society and were full of aspirations for the future. Even though these stars are now incredibly wealthy, that feeling of freedom while driving their first car and feeling the wind on the highway is definitely a ‘pure era’ that no amount of money can buy back.Dear readers, what was your first car? Feel free to share your ‘starter car’ story in the comments, and let’s get nostalgic together!”
