\Shaq’s garage is filled with some very unique and exotic vehicles, some even had to be modified just so he could fit inside.
Shaq, The Big Aristotle, Mayor McShaq – these are just some of the nicknames basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal is known for. However, there is one more thing he is famous for, and that is his massive and impressive car collection.
It is no secret that professional basketball players earn enough money to buy themselves pretty much everything they want, including mansions and some bling. But for some reason, they seem to have an obsession with cars. Retired professional NBA player Shaquille O’Neal is no exception. In fact, this basketball giant owns a 31,000-square-foot Orland0 estate that has a 17-car garage.
A 17-car garage must mean he has more or less 17 cars in his collection, right? But because we are such a tease, we will only give you a sneak peek. Here are 15 facts about Shaq’s car collection for you to enjoy.
15Shaq Needed To Have His Dodge Challenger Customized
For a guy his size, Shaq would have a hard time fitting inside some cars – just like in the Dodge Challenger he owns. But because he is the Shaq, he was able to find a way around this problem the same way he could during his heydays on the court.
Aside from customizing his HEMI-powered Challenger in a way that will allow him to fit comfortably inside, Shaq also had the CSC Customs install red LED headlights and underglow. These lights made the car look like a fierce cat on the road, earning a new name and reputation as the Shaqcat.
14He Was Able To Fit Inside His Lamborghini Gallardo.
Sports cars usually have very low seats that can be quite difficult to get used to even for average-sized people. Shaq is not new to this problem. As you already know, he had his Dodge challenger modified in order for him to fit inside it. He did the same thing to his Lamborghini Gallardo because he just could not let his size stop him from experiencing the thrill of driving one.
The Gaffoglio Metalcrafters, a specialist in car customization, was the one who took the challenge and completed this project. It was able to customize the car to Shaq’s size without making the changes too obvious for the naked eye.
13A Movie Made Such An Impact On Shaq That He Bought A Vaydor.
The Suicide Squad is an action-packed superhero film that encouraged Shaq to get himself a Vaydor. He must have thought Joker looked really cool driving it in the movie that he had this idea that being a villain in a superhero movie is not all that bad.
Shaq’s Vaydor was customized to help him drive and ride comfortably in it. After all, nobody will look cool in a really nice car when he or she is obviously not enjoying the ride due to certain discomforts. But with his Vaydor, Shaq can enjoy driving on mean Florida pavements due to the customized air suspension and airbags.
12His GMC Sierra Denali Is Wrapped In Gold.
It is not every day that we see gold cars on the road, but if you live in Shaq’s neighborhood, you will surely spot one. Shaq’s customized GMC Sierra Denali, which does not really look like a Denali, will surely be hard to miss due to its shiny gold color and raised suspension. Heck, it is already as tall as him.
Apart from raising the suspension and wrapping it in gold, Shaq’s GMC Sierra Denali also has new rims that make it look tougher and meaner on the road. But if you ever get a chance to see Shaq’s customized Sierra Denali, wave hello to it because for sure the driver won’t really mind.
11Shaq Owns A Polaris Slingshot That’s As Extraordinary As Him.
Shaquille O’Neal is anything but ordinary, so there is no reason to expect less from his collection of cars. This Polaris Slingshot is among his extraordinary cars as it does not look like a standard Slingshot at all. He was able to stretch it to accommodate him and more people with the additional seating.
This three-wheeled Slingshot was also fitted with upgraded quilted leather seats and an 18-speaker sound system. Imagine hanging out with Shaq in this customized ride that has cool red piping while listening to really great music. That must be beyond awesome!
10He Got A Sprinter Van Of America For Free.
Shaq may be loaded with cash as much as Florida waters are loaded with sharks, but that does not mean he does not enjoy free stuff, especially when what you get for free is this Sprinter Van of America. Even you would want one, right?
Being a celebrity really has its perks, no wonder many people dream of becoming one. As a basketball royalty, Shaq has been given the chance to own this $90,000 van and enjoy comfortable seats, hardwood floors, and a customized TV screen and speakers. A regular person who is lucky enough to get one for free won’t even have to pay for housing because it is already livable the way it is.
9He Likes To Play Big With His Play Big Truck.
What is a car collection without a truck? Well, Shaq knows that his car collection would be lacking without one, a Play Big truck in particular. Surely, he does not use this truck as a daily driver because it can cause parking troubles and bother other people, but he can definitely have a lot of fun with it.
He had it modified to fit his taste, commissioning West Coast Customs to do it for him. Take a look at the cool design of this Play Big truck. It sure looks fun with the black paint and red and white writings on it. It must look like a mobile graffiti on the road.
8If Superman Was A Car He Would Be Shaq’s Range Rover.
Shaq is a huge Superman fan as much as he is a car enthusiast, and it shows in his car collection. He must have so much respect for the Man of Steel that he wants to pay tribute to him by having his logo installed in this Range Rover. Or maybe, he thinks he is as invincible as Superman. Either way, having the Superman logo installed in one of his cars proves that he is one of the biggest Superman fanatics around.
Land Rover and DC Comics must be having a field day with the free marketing they get every time Shaq rolls out with this Range Rover. But who can blame them, right? Aside from the free marketing, they even got a cut from Shaq’s millions when he purchased the car.
7He Wants You To Make Some Noise When You See His Big Hoffa.
Shaq likes attention, and he certainly gets it by being 7’1″ and a basketball legend. But he would very much appreciate it if you would also give his Big Hoffa some love whenever you see it. For sure Shaq fans will not have a hard time giving this huge ride some love as its cool design is already lovable on its own.
Can you imagine Shaq chilling in this Big Hoffa? Well, doing so is easier than picturing him inside a Smart Car. Yes, we have seen him in that ugly-but-cute car, and it was quite excruciating only because he looked uncomfortable in it. With the Big Hoffa, however, Shaq is able to cruise across America in style and comfort.
6Shaq Proves He’s Not Too Big To Fit In A Ferrari F355.
Men of bigger builds, like Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel, may have a hard time getting inside most sports cars like the Ferrari F355. This is probably why most of them stick to muscle cars and big vehicles like trucks.
Shaq, on the other hand, is different. He likes to experience it all. After all, he is the type of guy who forces his way inside a Smart Car, so fitting himself in a cramped sports car would be a piece of cake. But because he has so much respect for the Ferrari, and of course, for his hard-earned money, he just decided to have it stretched than force himself in and risk damaging it.
5He Has Enough Cars, So He Wants To Get Rid Of His Mercedes S550.
Some of you may wonder why a guy of Shaq’s height tries to fit himself in cars that cannot accommodate him. Especially when there are convertibles that would definitely make his life easier. Well, as a basketball player who had experienced a lot of pressure on the court, Shaq is used to challenges and was trained to accept them.
Purchasing this Mercedes S550 was just a way for him to experience driving a convertible. Plus, the white color seems irresistible to just ignore. However, he seems to have already had his fun with it and is ready to move on as he has already put it on the market for other Mercedes enthusiasts to enjoy.
4He Waited Six Months For His Rolls Royce Phantom.
British car manufacturer Rolls Royce is quite careful and meticulous when it comes to their cars, so it is no surprise that it takes them months on end to complete one by hand. Shaq’s Rolls Royce Phantom was no different. Shaq had to wait six months to get his hands on this baby, and we think it was worth it.
He surely got one of the best models with its customized rims and other cool features. He loves it so much that he even gifted some of his friends with this luxury car. Wouldn’t you just love being friends with this guy? We certainly would.
3Shaq’s Cadillac Escalade Would Be Superman No. 2.
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The Cadillac Escalade is known to be one of the bulkiest cars ever made, but the customization Shaq did to his made it look like it is about to fly to someone’s rescue. With its scissor doors that look like wings or a cape, whichever you prefer, the Cadillac Escalade looks lighter and smaller without losing its toughness.
If the Superman logo does not make it obvious that the concept of this customization was inspired by the Man of Steel, the red color gives it away. Anyone who is in trouble would want to be driven to safety in this Cadillac Escalade.
2Yes, Superman No. 3 Exists In The Form Of His Chevrolet G1500.
Just how many Superman cars does Shaq have? We don’t know for sure, but this Chevrolet G1500 is definitely rocking the Superman logo. Although this is the nth time we have seen the Superman logo in the list, it never fails to amaze.
It may look like an old van, which it is as it’s a 2001 model, but Shaq had it customized to give it a modern touch. He upgraded the screens and the sound system. He also had the suspension lowered. Surprisingly, this car did not really cost much compared to his other cars. It was reported to have cost him only $45,000.
1Shaq Believes In The Potential Of The Ram 1500.
Ram did not really have a stellar and stable reputation, but Shaq didn’t doubt its potential for one minute. He still purchased the Ram 1500 and customized it to make it even more appealing – not only to him but also to those who will see it out on the streets.
He fitted it with 26-inch rims, which made it look meaner and more attractive. Maybe, it is pretty low-key compared to his other customized cars, but it definitely looks decent and is one of the best-looking pickup trucks available today. Besides, as long as Shaq drives it, the Ram 1500 can never look uncool.
We figured that unless we are part of Shaq’s inner circle, we can only learn so much about his car collection. So, if you want to see more, why not try to make him your new best friend. If you do that, you do not only get to chill in his “Shaq-apulco,” but you also have the privilege to ask him to take you for a spin in one of his cool rides.
