Shaquille O'Neal is such a famous basketball player that even people who have never watched the game probably recognise his name, and he is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Like many rich people, Shaq has one weakness when it comes to spending his fortune: cars. Whether it's a massive Terminator-style pick-up, a two-wheeled Bentley or a three-wheeled Polaris Slingshot that he struggles to fit into, Shaq has to have it. Read on to see the outrageous collection of cars this NBA legend has amassed over the years.
O'Neill made a lot of money during his basketball career, so in retirement he is quietly pursuing his hobby. He doesn't just like expensive cars, he puts his own personal touch on them.
WCC Jeep Wrangler for Shaquille O'Neal
The Jeep Wrangler features all-wheel drive and a spacious interior. The base Wrangler costs $28,295 for the two-door body and $31,795 for the four-door body. Under the bonnet of the Wrangler is a Penstar V6 with 285 horsepower. The motor is combined with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is also available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Shaquille is a big fan of SUVs. The Jeep Wrangler has some of the best off-road performance, which is why it is in the basketball player's collection. The Jeep has been slightly redesigned by West Coast Customs, primarily to give Shaq more legroom, West Coast Customs took the Wrangler Unlimited chassis, which is 20.6 inches longer than the standard two-door Wrangler. They also spliced the front and rear doors together.
Shaq car collection: Vaydor
The Vaydor made its first appearance at the 2013 SEMA Motor Show, the car designed by entrepreneur Matt McEntegart. This Infiniti G35 coupe comes with a Nissan VQ 3.5 litre V6 engine, which allows it to develop 280bhp. The model provides for different engines like GM LT4, GM LS3, GM LT1 or Toyota 2JZ . Moreover, you can choose between manual and automatic transmission.
Shaq car collection: GMC Sierra
The GMC Sierra has a very masculine look. Shaq wanted the car to be as tall, so some adjustments were made. The SUV is powered by a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine with a 10-speed automatic gearbox and the model is also available with a 6.2-litre V8 engine. The top-of-the-range Sierra Denali model costs from $55,200 (4 million rubles).
Shaq car collection: Polaris Slingshot
The Polaris Slingshot isn't technically a car, it's a roadster, it can also be called a three-wheeled motorbike. The Polaris Slingshot is powered by a 2.4-litre GM Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine that produces 173bhp. The bike weighs less than 800kg and can do 100km/h in less than 5 seconds. The Polaris has a double wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar. It is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. This vehicle has no doors, no roof, but the entire interior is waterproof.
Shaquille O'Neal's garage also houses other interesting vehicles. Personalised Dodge Challenger, Lamborghini Gallardo, RAM 1500, Sprinter Van of America, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet G1500, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Ferrari F355 and Mercedes S550. According to some reports, Shaquille O'Neal spends $23,000 per month on gasoline alone.
BULKY BUT BEAUTIFUL: Hummer from Shaq car collection
When it comes to bulky but luxurious cars, few can top the Hummer. Shaquille O'Neal loves cars and lives the luxury life at the same time, so it's no surprise that he owns a Hummer H2S. His choice of dark maroon colour only adds to the car's mysterious and stylish feel.
Shaq loves Superman, so the bezels are cut in the shape of the Superman logo. The shiny silver rims really stand out against the dark car.
If you think it's big, wait until you see the massive car approaching.
THE BRIGHTEST TRUCK: F-150 from Shaq car collection
You know that Shaq loves this truck based on the expression on his face alone. It's like he's saying, "Right. Check me out." This golden beauty he's so proud of is a Ford F-150.
According to the Daily Mail, F-series trucks have been the best-selling pick-ups for decades. However, Shaq was sure to stand out from the crowd by adding metallic gold paint and significantly elevating the bodywork. This truck certainly matches Shaq in terms of being hard to miss.
Then Shaq needed a special type of motorbike to support its weight.
NOT A BIKE… A TRIKE
When you have more money than one person can spend, you can buy everything bespoke. That's why Shaq hired Underground Garage to manufacture his own Chopper Trike.
Someone as big and heavy as Shaq would be a little safer on three wheels than on two. Besides, just look at the size of this thing. If it was on the ground, a three-wheeler could be as long as a legendary 7ft 1in basketball player.
SOMETHING FOR THE OUTDOORS: Wrangler from Shaq car collection
While many people have to consider all their activities when buying a car, Shaq has the luxury of owning another vehicle for any number of activities. For outdoor trips, he has a Jeep Wrangler.
The Wrangler has also been designed for a more comfortable ride, which is important when you are a big man. You might also have noticed that something looks different about this car. That's because there are two very large doors instead of four.
Get ready to see one of Shaq's signature design additions.
YOU CAN'T MISS IT: Escalade from Shaq car collection
Between being seven feet tall and a celebrity, Shaquille O'Neal is probably used to being outstanding. Perhaps that's why he chose an eye-catching cherry red colour for his Cadillac Escalade.
The ride wouldn't be complete without Shaq's trademark 'Superman' logo. He customised the front grille so that the logo sits right at the front of the car. Despite being tall, he likes the look of understeer cars and has adjusted the height as well as the tyres to support the weight.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THIS SPORTS CAR: Ferrari 355 from Shaq car collection
It's not uncommon to dream of a sports car. Even the least enthusiastic drivers are in awe at the thought of racing a Ferrari. For a sportsman as wealthy as Shaq, he'll pick the best of the best.
That's why he chose the extended Ferrari 355 Spider. This model was built to enhance the performance of other Ferraris. Obviously, a big man like Shaq might find it difficult to squeeze into a sports car, so he adjusted the car and removed the top.
This next car wasn't the most logical purchase, but it definitely looks cool!
WATCH OUT FOR THAT SLINGSHOT
Although this Polaris Slingshot is said to be a 4-seater, we're not sure if more than one person can fit comfortably in the slim car with Shaq at the wheel. Then again, when you have the kind of car budget he has, you can afford to be a bit unrealistic.
Speaking of unrealistic, there are no airbags in this car! That's why in some estates motorcyclists have to wear motorbike helmets. Drive. With such a spectacular car, we're pretty sure it's only ever done a ride around the block anyway.
Not to worry, Shaq later got an improved version that suits him better, which we'll see next.
Shaq car collection: IT'S MORE LIKE THIS
A 4-seater Polaris Slingshot was clearly not enough for someone as tall as Shaq. But when you have high-ranking friends, you don't have to worry about missing out on anything for long.
This oversized Polaris slingshot with the Superman logo on the seats was obviously made with Shaq in mind. The grille makes the car look like a Transformer and the wheels are clearly designed to support some weight. Now Shaq can feel that this car is made for him.
A LEGENDARY BRAND FOR A LEGENDARY PLAYER
Something about the Cadillac DTS screams luxury. While it's not as flashy as some of Shaq's other cars, we're guessing he'll choose it when he heads to a business meeting.
Like his Hummer, this car is painted in dark maroon, which gives it an elegant and classic look. This beauty comes with plenty of options that Shaq had to settle for, including chrome wheels, Magnetic Ride Control and a heated steering wheel.
Shaq car collection: A BIG VAN FOR A BIG MAN
Every van is a minivan when you're Shaq, so it's no surprise that he chose this modified Chevrolet G1500 to make sure it would comfortably fit several other riders.
When it came to tuning this car, he didn't have to worry about making it fit. Instead, he opted for quilted Louis Vuitton leather seats so that his entire family could ride in comfort. He also chose custom rims so that people passing by know that this is no ordinary van.
Since he can't rush around in this giant van, he needed the next car to get there in no time.
Shaq car collection: NOTHING CAN DODGE THIS DODGE
The Dodge Challenger Hellcat is a powerful muscle car, perfect for an athlete as powerful as Shaquille O'Neal. With 707 horsepower thanks to its 6.2-litre HEMI V-8 engine, this car can fly around the streets and take corners even with a big sportsman in the car.
Any car with the Challenger name is a good choice for one of basketball's biggest rivals. Shaquille O'Neal is not a force to be reckoned with and neither is this car.
This next car is one of his most shocking purchases.
TOY CAR OR TRICYCLE?
At first glance, it might appear that Shaq is sitting in a very expensive adult toy car. However, if you ask Motorcycle.com, this Vanderhall Venice tricycle roadster is actually a reversible tricycle.
You can't see it in this photo, but there's only one wheel behind Shaq. Another surprise is that its price is not obscenely high, ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 depending on the model. The lightweight car is a pleasure to drive, but no more than a game-changer.
THE POLICE HAVE MADE IT A LOT COOLER
If you're wondering why Shaquille O'Neal is being pointed at a man with a police badge, it's because Shaq is now a deputy sheriff in Georgia. Naturally, he needed a police car, but the NBA legend wasn't going to settle for some old cruiser.
The Clayton County Police Department offered Shaq a ride in this Dodge Charger Hellcat Police Special. It's one thing to drive one of his incredible cars, but quite another to do so while working for the police.
THE MAIN CAR IN THE COLLECTION
Similar to the red Cadillac Escalade we saw earlier, this black Range Rover is adorned with the Superman logo that Shaq loves so much on the car's grille. Everything else about the car looks relatively normal, except for one thing.
If you look closely, you can see that the windows are tinted. However, they're not just lightly tinted; they're completely tinted, like a limousine, even on the driver and passenger sides. The sleek and shiny exterior makes this Range Rover the most stylish Range Rover ever.
Next comes what most celebrities need.
MEET THE BIG HOFFA from Shaq car collection
You know you're a star when you have a tour bus with your face on it. Shaq even named his favourite tour bus 'Big Hoffa' for reference. And he couldn't forget that huge Superman logo.
The Big Hoffa here can be huge, but it's important to remember that the discomfort of being cramped for a long journey is apparent when you're Shaq's size. Also, this whole room allows Shaq to use a larger canvas to paste his image onto.
Shaq car collection: THE MOST LUXURIOUS VAN AROUND
As a tour bus can be a bit ostentatious, Shaq also has this beautiful van to transport himself and a large group of others. However, this is not your typical vehicle. It's a modified Sprinter Mercedes van, which means it's as luxurious as a van can be.
Written by Michael Zippo
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