You’ve probably seen the headlines. Maybe you were scrolling through a car forum or a TikTok montage of celebrity garages when it popped up: the John Cena 1937 Bugatti. It sounds like the perfect match, doesn't it? The world’s most recognizable professional wrestler and actor owning one of the most prestigious, expensive, and rare pre-war French automobiles ever crafted. It’s a great story.
Except it’s not exactly true.
When we talk about John Cena’s car collection, we are usually talking about raw American muscle. We're talking about Plymouth Superbirds, COPO Camaros, and Ford GTs. So, where did this specific rumor about a Type 57 or a classic Atlantic come from? It’s a fascinating look at how celebrity car culture and internet rumors collide to create "facts" out of thin air. Honestly, the real story of Cena’s garage is way more interesting than a fake Bugatti anyway.
The Mystery of the John Cena 1937 Bugatti
The internet has a funny way of manifesting things. If you search for the John Cena 1937 Bugatti, you’ll find plenty of AI-generated images or clickbait thumbnails showing Cena standing next to a teardrop-shaped masterpiece. But if you look at the actual documented registry of Bugatti Type 57S Atlantics—of which only four were ever made—Cena’s name isn't on the list.
Ralph Lauren owns one. The Mullin Automotive Museum had one. One was destroyed in a train accident and later painstakingly rebuilt.
None of them belong to the man who told us "You Can't See Me."
The confusion likely stems from Cena’s well-known appreciation for "The Epitome of Excellence." He is a guy who appreciates engineering. He’s spent millions on his collection. But he has always leaned toward the loud, the fast, and the American. The 1937 Bugatti is a work of art, a piece of rolling sculpture designed by Jean Bugatti. It’s delicate. It’s temperamental. Cena, on the other hand, likes to actually drive his cars. He’s famously used a 2006 Ford GT as a daily driver. You don't daily drive a 1937 Bugatti unless you have a death wish for your bank account and your sanity.
📖 Related: Kendra Wilkinson Photos: Why Her Latest Career Pivot Changes Everything
Why People Believe the Rumor
We want celebrities to own the "best" things. In the world of car collecting, the 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is often cited as the most beautiful and valuable car in the world. When a celebrity reaches the level of wealth that John Cena has achieved—moving from the WWE ring to becoming a legitimate Hollywood A-lister—fans start attributing the world's most expensive "toys" to them.
It's basically a game of digital telephone.
One person posts a "What If" video, another person shares it as a "Look what he bought," and suddenly, Google's search algorithms are flooded with queries about a car that doesn't exist in his garage. This happens more often than you'd think. It's the same reason people think Jerry Seinfeld owns every Porsche ever made or that Jay Leno has a secret floor of his garage for alien technology. Well, Leno actually might, but you get the point.
What Cena Actually Drives
If we're being real, Cena’s actual collection is much more "blue-collar millionaire." He has a deep, almost academic love for the internal combustion engine. He doesn't just buy what's expensive; he buys what has a story.
- 1970 Plymouth Superbird: One of his most prized possessions. It’s loud, it has a giant wing, and it represents the height of the NASCAR-homologation era.
- 2006 Ford GT: This was his "dream car." He famously drove it everywhere, putting more miles on it than almost any other collector in the world.
- The Infamous 2017 Ford GT: We have to talk about this. Cena was sued by Ford because he sold this car too early, breaking a no-resale contract. It was a huge mess. Maybe that's why people started Googling other high-end brands like Bugatti—they were looking for the next "big" car story involving him.
The Bugatti Connection: Did He Ever Even Sit in One?
It is entirely possible Cena has spent time around these cars. He has hosted car shows like Auto Geek and has been a guest at various Concours d'Elegance events. Seeing a photo of John Cena next to a John Cena 1937 Bugatti (or what looks like one) at a show is enough to spark a decade of rumors.
But there is a massive difference between admiring a piece of French history at Pebble Beach and actually holding the title to a vehicle that costs more than most private islands. Bugattis from that era are notoriously difficult to maintain. They require specialized mechanics who often have to be flown in from Europe. Cena’s lifestyle—traveling for film sets, wrestling appearances, and charity work—doesn't exactly lend itself to the delicate temperament of a pre-war European grand tourer.
👉 See also: What Really Happened With the Brittany Snow Divorce
The Technical Specs of the 1937 Bugatti (If He Did Own It)
If Cena did decide to drop $40 million on a 1937 Bugatti Type 57, what would he be getting? It’s a world away from the Hemi V8s he’s used to.
We are talking about a 3.3-liter straight-eight engine. It produced about 135 horsepower in its standard form, but the "S" (Surbaisse) and "C" (Compresseur) versions pushed that much higher. These cars were pioneers of aerodynamics. The iconic "seam" that runs down the middle of the body wasn't just for looks; the original magnesium alloy body (Elektron) couldn't be welded, so it had to be riveted together.
It’s an engineer’s dream. But for a guy who stands 6'1" and weighs 250 pounds of pure muscle? Fitting into a 1937 Bugatti would be a struggle. Cena has often joked about how tight some of his supercars are. A Type 57 would be like wearing a tailored Italian suit that’s three sizes too small.
Celeb Car Trends vs. Reality
In the age of social media, the "John Cena 1937 Bugatti" myth highlights a broader trend: the deification of celebrity lifestyle. We see a name and a luxury brand and we just assume they go together.
But collectors like Cena are usually more specific. They have "types."
Look at someone like Patrick Dempsey—he’s a Porsche guy through and through. Look at Lady Gaga—she loves vintage Ford trucks and Lincolns. Cena’s "type" is clearly American Performance. He loves the era when Detroit was trying to outdo itself every single year. The 1937 Bugatti represents a different philosophy: European elegance and artisanal craftsmanship. While he surely respects it, it doesn't fit the "Cena Brand" of grit and power.
✨ Don't miss: Danny DeVito Wife Height: What Most People Get Wrong
Sorting Fact From Fiction
So, how do we know for sure?
- Public Records: High-value car sales, especially those involving Bugattis, are tracked by historians and registries like the Bugatti Trust. Cena’s name has never appeared on a bill of sale for a 1937 model.
- Cena’s Own Words: In his various YouTube series and interviews, he has meticulously walked through his garage. He’s shown off his 1969 AMC AMX and his COPO Camaro. He has never mentioned a Bugatti.
- The "Vibe" Check: Cena is a man of the people (well, as much as a multi-millionaire can be). He appreciates cars that are "drivers." A 1937 Bugatti is a "statue." It stays in a climate-controlled vault. That’s just not how John Cena operates.
The Impact of the Rumor
Does it matter that he doesn't own it? Not really. But it matters for people trying to understand the market. When a celebrity is rumored to own a certain type of car, the value of that car can actually fluctuate. It creates "clout" by association. If people think a modern icon like Cena is buying into pre-war French classics, it might signal a shift in what's "cool" to the younger generation of collectors.
But for now, the John Cena 1937 Bugatti remains a ghost. A digital phantom born from a mix of AI imagery, mislabeled social media posts, and the general public's desire to see famous people own incredible things.
Actionable Insights for Car Enthusiasts
If you’re looking to track celebrity car collections or verify these kinds of rumors yourself, don't just trust a headline.
- Check the Registries: For brands like Bugatti, Ferrari, or Shelby, there are official registries that track every chassis number ever built. If a car is sold to a high-profile owner, these historians usually know within days.
- Follow the Mechanics: High-end cars require high-end service. Often, the shops that maintain these vehicles are the ones who indirectly confirm who owns what.
- Look at the "Why": Ask yourself if the car fits the person’s established taste. A man who owns a "In-N-Out" themed custom car (which Cena actually does) is probably not the same man buying a museum-grade Bugatti.
- Watch for AI Signals: If you see a photo of Cena with a Bugatti and his fingers look like sausages or the "Bugatti" badge is spelled "Bugatttti," you’re looking at an AI hallucination.
The reality is that John Cena’s garage is already one of the most impressive in the world. He doesn't need a 1937 Bugatti to prove he’s a car guy. His 1970 Buick GSX and his passion for the "forgotten" era of muscle cars do that just fine.
Next time you see a post about the John Cena 1937 Bugatti, you can be the one in the comments with the actual facts. It’s a beautiful car, and he’s a fascinating guy, but they aren’t sharing a garage anytime soon. Focus instead on his actual contributions to car culture—like his advocacy for driving your cars instead of just looking at them. That's a legacy far more valuable than a mislabeled French classic.