Chow Yun Fat talks to Carol Cheng on her YouTube show to promote his new film 'Detective Chinatown 1900'. Photo: YouTube
Actor Chow Yun Fat, 69, is famously known for his minimal lifestyle – eating street food and taking public transportation.
It was even reported in 2018 that he'd spend just HK$800 (RM450) a month on food.
However, in a recent appearance on Hong Kong host Carol Cheng’s YouTube show The Do Show to promote his new film Detective Chinatown 1900, Chow revealed a lesser-known side of himself – his past passion for luxury cars.
During the interview, Cheng shared that while they were filming the 1979 TVB drama Man In The Net, Chow purchased a second-hand Rolls-Royce, which he proudly drove every day.
He even showed off pictures of it to the film crew.
When asked why he transitioned from owning luxury vehicles to his current simple lifestyle, Chow explained that his purchases were never about flaunting wealth but rather about his deep fascination with the cars’ engines.
“I wanted to understand how a V8 engine could power such a heavy car while still providing such a smooth ride,” he shared in the interview, as translated by 8days.
“At the time, second-hand cars were very cheap, so after buying one, I’d open the hood with a mechanic and study the engine together.”
Speaking animatedly, he added: “I didn’t buy the car to show off – I just love engines and machines.”
At the height of his career, Chow owned five or six vintage luxury cars, including models from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
His wedding car for his 1983 marriage to actress Candice Yu was a rare Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn.
However, he eventually realised that maintaining multiple vintage cars was impractical, as they required constant upkeep.
“More time was spent on repairs than actually driving the cars. And I didn’t have time to take care of so many of them, so I ended up selling them all,” he said.
These days, it's said that Chow has opted for an “environmentally friendly electric car” instead.
Beyond his past love for vintage cars, Chow also shared insights into his approach to acting.
“At my age, I can’t play a young idol anymore. Most of the time, I get offered father or uncle roles, but as long as the role allows me to showcase my skills, I don’t mind. Being an actor is about contributing to the film,” he said.
Contrary to speculation, he doesn’t limit himself to a set number of films per year and dismissed the notion that he is too expensive or difficult to hire.
When asked if his acting fees are high, he said: “No, it’s just hard to find roles that truly interest me. I need something challenging before I’ll even look at a script.”
