If there has ever been any doubt about Elon Musk’s passion for automobiles, this story should clear it up. In 1999, after selling his internet news publishing venture, Zip2, to Compaq for $400 million, the then 28-year-old Musk treated himself to the fastest car available at that time—the McLaren F1. The F1 is renowned for its status among the fastest and most remarkable cars ever produced, boasting a world record top speed of 240 mph. With only 64 standard production models made, owning one is a luxury reserved for the wealthiest individuals. Thankfully, a video exists showcasing Musk receiving his million-dollar acquisition, allowing viewers to experience a uniquely exhilarating moment of hypercar ownership.
The video serves multiple purposes: it acts as a diary entry from a momentous day in Musk’s life, a glimpse into the late 1990s, and an early indication of his future achievements in the automotive world. In the footage, the young Musk, described as a “multi-millionaire entrep,” shares insights about his life, the car, and the deal that made it possible.
“It’s decadent,” remarks his then-fiancée, Justine Wilson, holding a Starbucks cup. Musk also talks about his upcoming project, X.com, an “internet bank” that would later transform into PayPal. Watching this, the capability of Tesla vehicles to achieve ‘Ludicrous Mode’ no longer seems surprising, given the high-performance standards of their creator. When questioned about his aspirations, Musk states, “I’d like to be on the cover of Rolling Stone; that’d be cool.”
As his gleaming silver McLaren is unloaded from the truck, a visibly awestruck Musk exclaims, “Wow, I can’t believe it’s actually here. It’s pretty wild, man.” Indeed, it is pretty wild, Elon..
