Ever since the first few racing championships in the late 19th century, cars took on a magnetic allure. Its charisma has only deepened over time, so much so that crafting a car collection is the ultimate status symbol.
An unrivalled hobby of the automobile purist, a car collection testifies to truly opulent wealth and refined sensibilities. After all, there are precious few individuals in the world privileged to own a luxury motorcade.
Read on to find out about the six richest car collections in the world and the remarkable personas behind them.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei: $5+ Billion
With 7000 cars to his name, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has the most sought-after and awe-inspiring car collection in the world. Some sources have claimed that his collection actually comprises only 2,400 cars. Either way, the Sultan of Brunei emerges victorious in the rich car collection conquest.
The collection includes fleets of some of the most illustrious marques in the world, including many custom one-offs. The collection is private, only heightening the mystique surrounding this lavish troupe.
The most notable portion of his fleet is his 600-strong Rolls-Royce collection. This Guinness World Record-holding collection includes the Rolls-Royce Royale, the Rolls-Royce Majestic, and a 24-carat gold-plated Silver Spur II, which he used on his wedding day. His Rolls-Royce Phantom II Star of India is his most expensive car, worth about $14 million. The Sultan also owns an impressive kitty of 452 Ferraris, which includes the 456 GT Venice commissioned by Prince Jefri, a F90 supercar, six 1995 FXs, two 250 GTOs, and 11 F40s.
Ralph Lauren: $350-700 Million
Ralph Lauren, a man associated with elegant polos and classy silhouettes, has gained notoriety for his staggering car collection, characterised by handsome models that uniquely represent his sensibilities. The fashion tycoon’s net worth is $7.1 billion, out of which $300 million has carved out a niche of about 80 cars that reside in his private garage in Bedford, New York.
His collection started back in the 1970s with a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet. He then forayed into the world of Jaguar with a 1955 Jaguar XKD. A 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO, a Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix, and the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 also made their way into his collection. He also owns one of the five original 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSKs, which is named “Count Trossi” and is one of the most coveted cars in the world.
However, one car stands out in his collection – the 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which is regarded by many automobile fiends as “the most beautiful car in the world.” Worth over $40 million, only three units of this model exist, one of them belonging to Ralph Lauren.
Nick Mason: $200 Million
Nick Mason, albeit of Pink Floyd fame, has made an indelible mark in the luxury automotive industry with his impressive car collection. A frequenter of the Goodwood Members’ Meeting and a 24 Hours of Le Mans racer, it is no surprise that a love for stellar marques runs deep in his veins.
His garage hosts about 40 sports cars, which are rumoured to cumulatively exceed his net worth. His collection includes a notable fleet that bears the prancing horse, including an F40, a GTB/4 Daytona, and the legendary 512S racer that starred in Steve McQueen’s Le Mans.
His collection also includes a 1957 Maserati 250F F1, an incredibly rare Blu Pozzi Ferrari LaFerrari, and a 1996 McLaren F1 GTR that was driven by Mason himself at an exhibition lap at the Goodwood Circuit in 2017.
The oldest car in his collection is the 1927 Bugatti Type 35. As a typical 1920s race car, it’s quite a dangerous ride, with extremely skinny tires and a low elevation. Mason attempted driving it and found that it was “faster around the corners at Silverstone than a Porsche GT3.”
The crown jewel – and the most expensive car – in his collection is his 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO "Pink Floyd,” which is worth $48 million. Notwithstanding its steep price tag, Mason is known to use it regularly as a functional car.
Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan: $160 Million (estimate)
Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, also known as “Rainbow Sheikh,” is known for curating the world’s most bizarre car collection in the world worth at least $160 million. However, the Rainbow Sheikh's motorcade net worth is presumably a much higher figure.
With over 200 cars to his name, the Sheikh has cultivated a reputation for executing things on a large scale with unabashed flamboyance. For instance, he bought seven Mercedes 500 SELs and painted them in the colours of a rainbow, and arranged them in the shape of a pyramid. The Sheikh has other eccentric cars, such as the Mercedes W128 with gargantuan monster wheels, as well as a “magic carpet” on wheels.
One of his most ambitious projects was his super-sized Dodge Power Waggon, which was customised to be eight times the size of the original car, equipped with four bedrooms in the cabin.
However, his Hummer H1 – reportedly the biggest in the world – takes the cake. It measures 21.6 feet in height, 46 feet in length, and 20 feet in width, and is complete with two-storeys, a sink, a toilet, a guest room, and a panoramic view of the outside world. With a diesel engine powering each of the four wheels, this luxury condo on wheels is fully drivable.
Among his many accolades, the Sheikh was bestowed with a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of 4×4 vehicles, at 718.
Ken Lingenfelter: $100+ Million (estimate)
Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, is better known for his enviable luxury car collection.
On the record, Lingenfelter owns at least 200 cars. He bought his first Corvette back in 1977. While he had always appreciated good cars, he didn’t anticipate that his new sweet ride would spark the beginning of one of the world’s leading car collections. After retiring, his collection of Corvettes grew to be 150-strong, in addition to muscle cars and some exotic European makes.
Lingenfelter also owns an authentic 1980 Chevrolet Chevette, which, as America’s most popular and best-selling small car, is a hidden gem in his collection. One of the most beautiful cars in his Brighton-bound fleet is the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, defined by its theatrical gullwing doors, sparkly silver bodywork, and luscious red leather interiors.
Jerry Seinfeld: $100 Million
Jerry Seinfeld has built a long-standing reputation for his impeccable comedic writing and hilarious stand-up routines. Thus, his $100 million-worth car collection often flies under the radar. In 1999, Seinfeld bought a multi-storey brownstone building (which used to be a plumbing business) to build his car collection.
His love for the rearing horse is evidenced by his gorgeous Porsche collection, a stand-out treasure trove in his 150-strong car collection. His Porsche fleet includes the 1949 Porsche 356/2 Gmünd, a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, a 1964 Porsche 911, and a Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet.
The prized gem, however, is the Porsche 917K, which was driven by Steve McQueen himself during a Le Mans race. It is also the first ever Porsche that was branded as the 911 and belonged to Ferry Porsche’s personal collection. With this beauty, there’s no doubt that Seinfeld became the target of every Porsche aficionado’s envy. He is also the proud owner of a Porsche 959s, of which only 259 units were made.
In 2016, Seinfeld put up 16 of his Porches for auction and earned nearly $30 million from the sales.
A rich car collection is a profound statement. After all, a stunning assemblage of wheels speaks for itself – it’s spectacular yet dignified, making it the ultimate personal signature. From a 600-strong Rolls-Royce roster to a fleet of rare Porches, these are the richest car collections in the world.
