The World's 10 Leading Car Collectors

It's often said that the wealthy have a penchant for their prized possessions, and car collectors are no exception. Whether they’re royalty, business moguls, or celebrities, the ultra-wealthy love acquiring and curating impressive car collections. Many of them own an extraordinary range of vehicles, from the latest supercars to timeless classics and rare models. Top car collectors around the world also dedicate vast sums to restore and preserve their cars in flawless, museum-quality condition. Here’s a list of the top 10 car collectors globally.

10. Nick Mason

Nick Mason, the legendary drummer from the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, has the means to build an extraordinary car collection thanks to his musical career. When he’s not behind the drums with Pink Floyd, he’s busy caring for over 40 rare and premium cars. A known admirer of Italian sports cars, some of the standout vehicles in his collection include a Bugatti T35, Aston Martin LM18, Ferrari 213 T3, McLaren F1, Porsche 962, and the famous Ferrari 250 GTO, valued at over $20 million. Nick is more than happy to showcase his collection, often presenting these masterpieces at automotive exhibitions around the globe.

9. Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren, renowned as a fashion mogul who revolutionized the polo shirt, also holds a deep passion for car collecting. His impeccable fashion sense extends to his extraordinary car collection, with an emphasis on red. Lauren boasts a fleet of Ferraris, Alfa Romeo roadsters, Bugattis, Mercedes, Bentleys, Jaguars, and McLaren F1s—totaling more than 60 cars. Almost all of them are red. He even built a special garage at his New York estate where the cars are displayed on a raised white platform atop a black carpet, creating a spectacular visual. Clearly, Lauren’s love for bold colors, especially red, is unmatched.

8. Jay Kay aka Jamiroquai

Jay Kay, the frontman of the British band Jamiroquai, is not only famous for his musical talents but also for his impressive collection of cars. Known for his wide range of hats, he also owns around 70 vehicles, including Porsches, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, Bugattis, Maseratis, and Aston Martins. One of his prized possessions is a Mercedes 600 that was once owned by French fashion icon Coco Chanel. Jay Kay's love for rare and exotic cars knows no bounds—he’s constantly on the lookout for his next unique acquisition.

7. Dmitry Lomakov

Dmitry Lomakov, a businessman and head of a prominent Russian family, made his fortune in the mining industry, particularly with Potash. However, his true passion lies in classic and antique cars. Lomakov's collection is so vast that he established a museum to house his treasures. The Classic Cars and Motorcycles Museum in Russia boasts a fantastic array of antique vehicles, many with historical significance. Among the 120 vehicles on display is a 1914 Peugeot motorcycle, the last of its kind, and rare Russian-made vehicles like the 1977 Chayka GAZ-13. The crown jewel of his collection is Adolf Hitler’s infamous Mercedes-Benz convertible, which was used by the German Chancellor during his reign. Lomakov acquired the car at a private auction, drawing global media attention.

6. Gerard Lopez

Gerard Lopez, a venture capitalist famous for his early investment in Skype, used his wealth to venture into the world of Formula One racing. He is currently the Chairman of the Lotus F1 Team. Beyond his business success, Lopez’s passion for cars is evident in his remarkable personal collection. His vehicles have been featured on global automotive shows like the BBC’s Top Gear. His impressive collection of over 80 vehicles includes vintage muscle cars, hot rods, and a variety of exotic models from brands like Porsche, Peugeot, and Bugatti. The total worth of Lopez's collection is estimated to exceed $100 million. Talk about a return on investment, especially with Skype!

5. Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani

Who is Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, you ask? He is the wealthiest person in India, of course. Along with his luxurious mansions and private planes, Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani also boasts a staggering collection of around 170 European cars. These cars are a perfect blend of sportiness and sophistication, including brands like Bentley, Maybach, Bugatti, and Mercedes. His prized cars include a Maybach 62, a Benz S-Class, a Bentley Flying Spur, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom, to name just a few. These vehicles are showcased in Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s 60-story mansion, affectionately called Attila, which also happens to be the world’s most expensive private residence, valued at a mind-boggling $2 billion.

4. Ken Lingenfelter

Ken Lingenfelter, a prominent American business mogul, is the founder of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. But beyond his business acumen, Ken has a deep love for cars. He currently owns more than 150 vehicles, including an impressive 20 Lamborghinis. His collection also includes rare Corvettes, Mustangs, and Porsches. With such a massive collection, Ken had to build a 40,000-square-foot garage in Michigan, complete with climate control to keep his cars in top condition during the brutal winters. While Ken admits his collection can be somewhat random, with many duplicate cars like Camaros and Corvettes, he simply can't resist adding another to his collection when he spots the right one.

3. Jay Leno

Comedian and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno is renowned for his obsession with cars. He even hosts his own TV show, Jay Leno’s Garage, dedicated to all things automotive. But did you know that Jay Leno is also the proud owner of one of the world’s largest collections of rare and antique cars? His collection of over 200 vehicles is nothing short of extraordinary. Among his rarest cars are a perfectly restored 1909 Baker Electric, a 1931 eight-liter Bentley, a 1909 Stanley Steamer, a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, a 1927 Duesenberg Model X, and a 1925 Hispano-Suiza. Additionally, Jay Leno owns 22 steam-powered vehicles and 25 classic race cars. His car collection is so impressive that museum curators from around the world visit Jay Leno to admire it, with the collection valued at around $350 million. Truly remarkable!

2. The Rainbow Sheikh

Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, more famously known as the 'Rainbow Sheikh,' is a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family and a billionaire in his own right. His wealth has enabled him to build a car collection that matches his extraordinary personality. The 'Rainbow' part of his name comes from his seven Mercedes S-Class cars, each one painted a different color of the rainbow. He also owns massive Mercedes monster trucks, Jeeps for the largest Bedouin Caravan, a Dodge Power Wagon, and many other sensational vehicles. To house this impressive collection, he even converted a real ancient Pyramid into a garage. Money can buy anything, and the Rainbow Sheikh has certainly proven that.

1. Sultan of Brunei

Hassanal Bolkiah, known as the Sultan of Brunei, is the epitome of wealth and extravagance. With a net worth of $20 billion, he owns the largest royal palace in the world, complete with bathrooms encrusted with gold and diamonds. Naturally, his car collection is just as opulent. Rumored to include over 7,000 vehicles, it boasts 250+ BMWs, 574 Mercedes-Benz, 452 Ferraris, 179 Jaguars, 382 Bentleys, 134 Koenigseggs, a vast number of Lamborghinis, and many more. The Sultan also owns several limited-edition concept cars made specifically for him, including the Ferrari Mythos, Bentley Java, and Porsche Carma. One can only wonder how he finds time to drive them all.