Sydney Sweeney Has a Secret Passion for Vintage Cars — From Her Great-Grandfather’s Truck to Restoring Her Own Mustang
When most people think of Sydney Sweeney, they picture the glamorous Hollywood starlet known for her breakout performances in shows like Euphoria and The White Lotus. She’s walked countless red carpets, fronted luxury fashion campaigns, and earned a reputation as one of the most talked-about actresses of her generation. But behind the spotlight, the designer gowns, and the magazine covers, there’s another side of Sydney that most fans don’t expect: she’s a gearhead with a genuine love for vintage cars. And it isn’t just for show. Sydney doesn’t just pose next to shiny cars for photo shoots — she actually gets her hands dirty under the hood.
Her passion for cars began long before the Hollywood lifestyle. Growing up in Spokane, Washington, she wasn’t raised in a family that was heavily invested in Hollywood dreams. Instead, she was introduced to mechanics in a much more practical way. Her great-grandfather owned an old Ford F-100, and Sydney learned some of her first lessons about cars on that truck. It was her family who made sure she knew the basics before she ever had a license. Her mom insisted she be able to change a tire and check the fluids in her car on her own. It might have started as a form of responsibility, but for Sydney, it turned into something much bigger. Those small moments of learning built a foundation of curiosity that eventually grew into a full-fledged passion for restoration and vintage cars.
Unlike many celebrities who develop hobbies that lean more toward the glamorous or the curated, Sydney took the hands-on approach. She not only appreciated cars but wanted to know how they worked, how they could be restored, and what it takes to bring a vintage model back to life. That determination led her into bigger projects as she grew older. One of her most notable accomplishments was restoring a 1969 Ford Bronco, a project that showed fans that she wasn’t just dabbling for publicity — she was in it for real.
But her most personal project is her beloved 1965 Mustang, which she lovingly named “Britney.” The Mustang isn’t just a classic car; it represents an era of freedom, speed, and iconic American culture. Sydney has shared parts of her restoration journey on social media, giving fans a glimpse into just how much work she puts into it. From replacing parts to fine-tuning the engine, she’s proven time and again that she’s not afraid to put in the sweat and effort to make her dream car perfect. It’s a passion that connects her to the past while letting her create something entirely her own.
Her love of cars isn’t something she stumbled into later in life for the sake of an image. As she’s often explained, she grew up around car culture. Her babysitters were racecar drivers, and spending time around tracks was a natural part of her childhood. That exposure left a mark on her. For Sydney, the car world wasn’t just about transportation — it was about community, adrenaline, and craftsmanship. Those early influences stuck with her, and today, they’re a part of who she is just as much as her acting career.
In a world where celebrity partnerships and brand deals often come across as shallow, Sydney stands out because her credibility is real. Companies know that when she endorses a car or collaborates with an automotive brand, she’s not just showing up for the paycheck. She knows her way around tools, engines, and the endless patience it takes to restore a vintage car piece by piece. That authenticity is rare in Hollywood, and it’s a big reason she’s respected not just by fans but also within the automotive community.
For Sydney, vintage cars are more than a hobby — they’re a form of therapy. The work of restoration requires focus, attention to detail, and patience. In interviews, she’s mentioned how working on cars allows her to escape the pressures of Hollywood. When she’s leaning over an engine, grease on her hands, she isn’t Sydney Sweeney the actress, she’s simply Sydney, the girl who grew up learning how to take care of cars and fell in love with the craft. That balance between her career and her passion helps keep her grounded.
It also sends a powerful message. Women in automotive spaces are often underestimated, but Sydney’s dedication is breaking stereotypes. She shows that passion and skill have no gender limits. Her social media posts about car projects often inspire other women to explore mechanical skills or simply gain confidence in maintaining their own vehicles. She’s become, unintentionally, a role model in that space too.
Fans love this side of Sydney because it feels raw and unfiltered. We’re used to seeing celebrities showing off their luxury lifestyles, but Sydney shares the moments when she’s in denim coveralls, hair tied back, and working with tools. There’s something deeply refreshing about watching someone at the top of Hollywood not shy away from real, physical labor. It makes her feel relatable, human, and true to herself.
And while many celebrities carefully curate their brand identities, Sydney’s car passion feels less like branding and more like a window into her real life. That’s what makes it so appealing. Whether it’s a Mustang named Britney or memories of her great-grandfather’s Ford, her story is about heritage, hard work, and a love that grew naturally from her childhood.
In the years ahead, it’s clear Sydney will continue to be a rising star in Hollywood, but her identity as a car enthusiast will always remain part of her story. She’s already built a following that appreciates her authenticity, and in an era where image often trumps substance, she has found a way to stand out by embracing something real. Sydney Sweeney isn’t just another actress with a glamorous life — she’s also the girl who knows how to restore a Bronco, tune a Mustang, and inspire others to chase their passions no matter how unexpected they might be.