He was a man accused, adored, and adulated. Above all, Michael Jackson, who died at the relatively young age of 50 years, has been and will continue to be analyzed. Within hours of his death, Michael’s Neverland Ranch was being scrutinized on CNN. His financial situation was discussed on CNBC. Any personality that big is opened up to the kind of examination that the rest of us can’t even understand. Think of it this way: We’re not only interested in his family or his music or his concerts, but also his cars. Take a look at these five automobiles, some of the most prominent examples to have held positions in Michael Jackson’s garage.
#5 - ‘93 FORD ECONOLINE E150: Even when outfitted with special features and loads of leather, a large Ford van isn’t the first vehicle you would associate with the King of Pop. These vans are seen ferrying customers from rental counters to airport drop-off areas all across North America. In cargo form the Econoline is used by plumbers and electricians. Why would Michael be interested in owning an E150? It has nothing to do with a V8 engine or rear-wheel drive dynamics. An Econoline was perfect for a man with an entourage the size of an NBA basketball team.
#4 - ‘88 GMC JIMMY SIERRA CLASSIC: Long before the Jimmy turned into GM’s smaller sport-ute, the badge was pasted on to the back of a closed-in two-door truck. Equipped with either a 5.7L or 6.2L V8, the Jimmy was a genuine SUV before the era of the SUV. Of course, the regular GMC wasn’t quite appropriate for Michael Jackson. His gunmetal grey Jimmy was kitted out with a car phone and a television monitor underneath the dashboard.
#3 - ‘88 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMO: Everybody knows that this showman was also shy; a man who struggled socially. The contrasts in his public behavior are reconciled quite easily with the contrast in his vehicular choices. His white Town Car limo was matched with whitewall tires and, one can only imagine, white socks. On the other hand, those deeply tinted windows weren’t about to let peering eyes witness what was going on inside.
#2 - ‘90 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SPUR II LIMO: The early 90s will never be remembered as Rolls-Royce’s most hoppin’ time. Michael’s family and friends arrived at Forest Lawn in new Phantoms, a Rolls-Royce that is many generations beyond the old Silver Spur. Making use of a 6.75L V8 in traditional British luxury car fashion, the black Silver Spur’s dark curtains hid cream leather and numerous goblets of expensive drinks.
#1 - ‘99 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SERAPH LIMO: Keeping up the theme of large seating capacity for all of Jackson’s retinue, the gigantic Silver Seraph may not have been MJ’s best car or even his favourite car. But it will be noted as one of the greatest that we know of. He was an intensely private individual. Who knew what else the Neverland garage held within its doors? The Silver Seraph was a BMW-engined limousine which ran on regular gasoline but would also top $216,000 as a base car. This Rolls included Michael’s own interior design. How did MJ trim cars? Take note of the 24-carat gold, Connelly leather, and the obligatory television set. Thriller never looked so good.
Written by Timothy Cain