From the Editor: Like his wrestling & star power, Cena’s car modifications are outsized
I took delivery of a new work truck about a year-and-a-half ago, back when dealerships were knocking off $5,000 from MSRP, not adding $7,500.
Later on, I ordered new wheels, a drop-in bedliner and a tonneau cover to make it the way I wanted.
But that’s nothing compared to what John Cena has done.
Be it his outlandish comedic chops, pro wrestler’s physique or action movie prowess, Cena and his star power are massive.
And so, too, is the price tag and increased insurance costs associated with modifications to his Chevrolet Corvette, according to UK-based Confused.com.
A second-quarter study from Confused.com, utilizing valuations from CarSite car expert Charlie Howes, looked at the costs of modifications made to celebrities’ cars, along with the potential bump they would have on insurance costs.
The modifications to his Chevrolet Corvette, which Confused.com said included "custom moulded fibreglass body with open ceiling and custom headlights," had an estimated cost of $76,644, putting him at the top of their list.
The site estimates that this modification would increase his annual insurance costs by 62.5%.
In a tie for second were Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian, whose modifications to their respective Cadillac CTV-V and Lamborghini Urus rides cost $73,595 apiece.
The next closest was David Beckham, whose tweaks to his Maserati MC20 cost $39,054, according to Confused.com.
Another sports star, Von Miller, followed Beckham, with a $27,250 modification to a Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Kayne West and Zac Efron were next with $26,412 modifications to a Lamborghini Urus and 1965 Ford Mustang, respectively.
And for good measure, Bieber and Kardashian tied for another spot on the list; Justin with a $21,479 modification to a Ferrari 458 and Kim modifying her Mercedes-Benz Maybach.
Other celebrities on the list included Odell Beckham Jr., Lady Gaga, Lionel Messi, Kylie Jenner, Beckham (again), Flo Rida, Jason Statham, Jay-Z and Kendall Jenner.
Now, I didn’t spot his name on the list of high-priced vehicle modifications, but the celebrity I’ve been told is my doppleganger is Zach Galifinakis, a fellow North Carolinian hailing from NC State University.
And based on this 2018 interview with him on Jimmy Kimmel Live, his practicality in vehicle decision-making more closely resembles mine (and likely the rest of us normals) than his celebrity peers who made the Confused.com list.
In the interview, Galifinakis told Kimmel he had held on to a 1998 Subaru Outback as his only vehicle for some two decades, and added an electric vehicle only when his old ride started to fall apart.
Much like his character's blackjack success in "The Hangover," that's some good calculations and good luck.
Joe Overby is senior editor with Cherokee Media Group and can be reached at joverby@cherokeemediagroup.com.