Compelling Assembled Works Centering on Vehicle Competition and Speed
Racing Legends and Enthusiasts Showcase Remarkable Car Collections
In the world of motorsport, the thrill of the race is not limited to the track. Behind the scenes, a fascinating collection of racing cars is being preserved, each with its own story to tell. Here are some of the most notable racing car collections owned by racing legends, wealthy enthusiasts, and museums.
Fernando Alonso, the twice F1 champion, boasts a collection of all the racing cars he has ever driven. This impressive collection is on display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, alongside other notable racing cars.
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, houses a collection of Ford racing cars, including the Ford GT40, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race multiple times.
Jay Leno's collection, renowned worldwide, is among the most googled car collections. It includes over 181 vehicles worth an estimated $52 to $100 million. Highlights are a 1995 McLaren F1, a McLaren P1, the ultra-rare 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe, a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, a one-off supercar built with GM, and a rare Chrysler turbine car. Leno’s collection is notable for its breadth across almost every car brand and its historical significance.
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, has over 1.6 thousand models, including the largest Lotus racing cars collection in the world and many unique champion F1 cars driven by legendary racers.
The Museé National de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, France, has a collection of 530 vehicles, about 25% of which are racing cars, including legendary models from German, Italian, and French manufacturers.
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia has a collection of 200 racing cars, including models from Ferrari, Jaguar, Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Bugatti, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Corvette, and Ford.
Other notable collections include the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which marks 75 years of Formula 1 racing history, and Bill’s Backyard Classics in Amarillo, Texas, showcasing a carefully curated collection of over 100 classic cars.
Carroll Shelby’s legacy includes legendary cars he helped design and race, such as the Ford GT40 that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the late 1960s, the AC Cobra, and the Mustang performance variants.
Michael Schumacher, a 7-time F1 champion, has a collection of 12 Formula 1 cars in which he won races and earned his titles, primarily from the Ferrari team. Valtteri Bottas, a professional racer, has a collection of several rare racing cars that were the best on top tracks many years ago, including the Mercedes-AMG One and McLaren 675LT.
Todd Werner, an entrepreneur, has a collection of NASCAR cars, including a model from the 70s driven by the legendary American racer Richard Petty. Zak Brown, an American businessman and head of the F1 McLaren team, has a collection of over several dozen cars that have participated in prestigious races, with a focus on models that have impacted motor racing history.
Many of these cars are periodically put on public display or used in projects dedicated to the history of motorsport. For example, the Maserati 250F models from the 1950s are part of the Museé National de l'Automobile collection, as well as the Porsche 917 and Porsche 956 in the Porsche Museum's collection, which were legendary models that had no competitors in endurance racing in the 1970s.
These collections stand out not only for their financial value and rarity but also for the personal stories, historical importance, and technological innovations they embody. They serve as a testament to the passion, dedication, and achievements of racing legends and enthusiasts, and a reminder of the rich history and evolution of motorsport.
- The world of racing enthusiasts extends beyond the track, with a avid interest in gadgets like smart-home devices that enhance their lifestyle.
- Apart from racing cars, Jay Leno's extensive car collection also includes unique sports cars, such as the 1995 McLaren F1 and the ultra-rare 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe.
- The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum boasts the largest collection of Lotus racing cars, as well as many champion Formula 1 cars driven by notable racers.
- In addition to the iconic Ford GT40, the Henry Ford Museum collection also includes various auto-racing gadgets and car-maintenance tools, giving a comprehensive view of the automotive industry.
