Bernie Ecclestone Set to Sell Legendary F1 Car Collection for Millions
Bernie Ecclestone Set to Sell Legendary F1 Car Collection for Millions.
Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that he’s planning to sell off his impressive collection of racing cars, which is estimated to be worth “hundreds of millions.”
This incredible collection, featuring 69 cars, showcases decades of racing history, including iconic Ferraris once driven by F1 legends like Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda, as well as other championship-winning vehicles from as far back as the 1950s.
“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example,” Ecclestone said in a statement. “I love all of my cars, but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them.
“After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around.”
Ecclestone will sell the collection through luxury and race car seller Tom Hartley Jr via a private treaty sale.
“There has never been, and probably never will be, a collection like this ever offered for sale again,” said Hartley.
“It consists of the greatest cars of their time, many of which have not been seen for decades, and are totally unique.”
Hartley also revealed that the collection has many “eight-figure cars," with an estimated value in the “hundreds of millions,” as per the BBC.
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Bernie Ecclestone’s Mesmerizing Car Collection
The collection, which Hartley calls “the history of Formula One,” showcases some legendary vehicles, like the British racing green 1949 Ferrari Thin Wall Special and the 312T, the car that helped Scuderia clinch its first constructors’ title since 1962.
It also features the Ferrari 312B3, a car that racked up multiple Grand Prix wins, the Dino 246, which Ferrari raced for three seasons and led Mike Hawthorn to the 1958 world drivers’ championship, and the Ferrari F2002, a pivotal car of the 21st century that brought home both championships in 2002.
The iconic Vanwall VW10 is definitely a standout, as it’s the car that helped Stirling Moss rack up several Grand Prix wins in the 1958 season. Along with his teammate Tony Brooks, they brought home Vanwall's very first constructors’ championship.
Another gem in the collection is Alberto Ascari's 375, which won the 1951 Italian Grand Prix. This was also the car that marked Ferrari's first-ever win, thanks to Jose Froilan Gonzalez, who triumphed at Silverstone in 1951, beating Alfa Romeo’s Juan Manuel Fangio.
The collection doesn’t stop there; it also includes all of Ecclestone’s Brabhams, featuring the infamous BT46B “fan car.” Niki Lauda drove it to a stunning victory at the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix, finishing a whopping 34 seconds ahead of Riccardo Patrese.
Now, at 94 years old, he’s ready to let go of these incredible F1 treasures he’s gathered over the years.
“Having collected what are the best and most original Formula 1 cars dating back to the start of the sport, I have now decided to move them on to new homes that will treat them as I have and look after them as precious works of art.”
Bernie Ecclestone held the commercial rights to F1 for thirty years before Liberty Media took over the series in 2017.
Bernie Ecclestone's remarkable collection of Formula 1 cars represents the pinnacle of racing history. Spanning over 50 years, it includes some of the most iconic and rare vehicles ever to grace the sport, such as Ferraris driven by legends like Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda, as well as championship-winning cars from the 1950s onward.
Each car is a masterpiece, representing decades of innovation, performance, and success. With an estimated worth in the hundreds of millions, this collection is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to own a piece of racing history, ensuring these legendary cars are preserved for future generations.
