Car collecting has long been a luxury obsession for those who can afford it. But there are people who have turned it into an art. Journalists from Jalopnik told about ten influential people who have filled their garages with the rarest cars in the world, including Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and unique prototypes, the price of which sometimes exceeds the budget of a small country.
The Sultan of Brunei - the largest collector with over 7,000 cars
Hassan Bolkiah owns the largest private collection in the world - about 7,000 cars, including over 500 Rolls-Royces, 450 Ferraris, 134 Koenigseggs, 380 Bentleys, 179 Jaguars, 574 Mercedes-Benzes and hundreds of other cars. Some of them are exclusive models created just for him. However, the Sultan's collection is so secret that most of the information about it has been obtained through leaked photos or internal reports.
Mark Pieloch - Muscle Car Museum
American Mark Pieloch has created the world's largest muscle car museum in Florida - more than 440 cars, including 280 legendary Mustangs, Camaros, Shelbys and Corvettes. Many of the cars have less than 100 miles on the clock. In addition to American classics, Pieloch is also an avid Porsche fan, as his collection includes 66 models, ranging from the 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar to the 1971 Porsche Carrera RS Lightweight.
Ralph Lauren - a collection worth $600 million
Fashion designer Ralph Lauren owns “only“ about 70 of the rarest cars, including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, a McLaren F1 LM, a Ferrari 250 GTO and a LaFerrari. His garage is estimated to be worth over $600 million.
Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan - “The Rainbow Sheikh“
The sheikh's collection includes over 3,000 cars, including the largest Hummer in the world, which is over 6 meters high. Seven of the eight Mercedes 500SELs in his garage are in one color of the rainbow, while the eighth is a combination of all seven colors.
Roger Dudding - the British classic
At the age of 86, Briton Roger Dudding has amassed the largest collection of classic cars in Europe, numbering over 450, including 24 Aston Martin Lagondas - whose design is still considered one of the most unsuccessful in automotive history. His Studio 434 collection is often used for films and television series.
Michael Fuchs is a fan of colors
American businessman Michael Fuchs owns over 150 cars, including 15 Rolls-Royces in his own colors - Fux Red Candy Phantom Drophead Coup?, Fux White Ghost, Fux Orange Cullinan. Interestingly, in 2023 he purchased two Spectres worth $ 442,000 to cement his place in the brand's history as the first American buyer of an electric Rolls-Royce.
Ken Lingenfelter is the “king” of Corvette
The former owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering owns over 250 cars, including about 150 Corvettes. His 37,000-square-foot private museum in Michigan is open for charity tours.
Jay Leno - The Automotive Encyclopedia
Former TV host Jay Leno owns 181 cars and dozens of motorcycles, from steam engines from 1900 to modern McLarens. The highlight of his collection is the EcoJet, a jet-powered supercar. He restores many of the cars himself.
Nick Mason is a rock star with a Ferrari 250 GTO
The Pink Floyd drummer has a collection of rare Ferraris, including the iconic 250 GTO from 1962. He is the only musician to be inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame. The oldest jewel in Mason's fleet is a beautifully preserved 1901 Panhard Et Levassor with an open "ketch" body. Incredibly, he took it on long trips around the major cities of England.
Ion Ceriac - Romanian billionaire with a collector's soul
Former tennis player and businessman Ion Ceriac owns over 350 cars, including a Ferrari F40, a Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss and two Phantom IVs built exclusively for royalty. Half of his collection is in Otopeni, Romania, and includes a 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda, a 1957 1900C Super Sprint Coupe, a 1988 Challenge race car, a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, a Jenson Interceptor, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and more.