Ralph Lauren certainly hasn’t been shy about making his presence known in the fashion industry. What’s lesser known, however, is the famed designer’s love of classic cars, as well as the staggering number of cars that he’s accumulated over the decades.
Putting it bluntly, his garage consists of some of the greatest cars ever built and the star of Ralph Lauren’s car collection is a 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which is just one of four ever built by the legendary French manufacturer. Out of the four, only three were ever sold to customers. Throughout the course of history, two of these cars ended up being destroyed, leaving only two examples left on the entire planet. For decades, this was considered to be the most valuable car in the entire world. The other of the two remaining 57SC Atlantics changed hands in 2010, reportedly selling for $30-$40 million. However, according to Bugatti, that specific car lacked its original engine. With Ralph Lauren’s car being a numbers-matching example, the only one in the world of its kind, the value could easily be considered catastrophically higher.
“I bought cars because I wanted to drive them, and all of a sudden, I have a collection.”, Lauren once stated in a 2017 interview. Just taking one look at his tremendous collection, it’s obvious that the man is a dedicated gearhead. Seeing his cars as works of art, Ralph Lauren has accumulated some of the most historically significant cars in the entire world.
How Did Ralph Lauren Start Collecting Such Insane Cars?
Immediately following his service in the United States Army during the early 1960s, Ralph Lauren then found himself working for Brooks Brothers and other clothing companies, initially conducting sales. By 1967, he’d founded the Ralph Lauren Corporation, and originally began designing and manufacturing neckties. As the years went on, success enveloped Ralph Lauren, and his fortune skyrocketed quickly. According to Forbes, Ralph Lauren’s current net worth is $7.2 billion, which directly fuels his car collection, utilizing this vast fortune to accumulate some of the rarest and most extraordinary cars in existence. According to Lauren, his desire for acquiring cars stemmed from his youth, as his family simply didn’t have access to cars while he was growing up in the Bronx during the 1930s and 1940s.
All told, Ralph Lauren owns over 100 cars, although this figure likely changes, given his penchant for accumulating. Due to the severe rarity of these vehicles, an exact figure for their value is impossible to calculate. However, it’s estimated that Ralph Lauren’s car collection is worth upwards of $600 million. Given the unique nature of his 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic alone, there’s a strong possibility that the collection could even be worth substantially more. Numerous cars in Ralph Lauren’s possession are worth far beyond the $10 million mark, with several vehicles doubling and even tripling that figure. With the ever-increasing shifts in classic car values, it’s fairly safe to say that the overall value of this collection will continue to soar.
What Types Of Cars Does Ralph Lauren Collect?
As an admirer of art and design, Ralph Lauren’s tastes are highly evident in his collection. His penchant for driving is also visible, as he’s also the owner of several racing cars. Both of these traits can be seen in the various Ferraris lurking within Lauren’s collection, as these specific models from the legendary Italian brand alone are notable enough to form a small museum. Easily among the most notable Ferraris ever built, Lauren's collection includes the 1964 250 GTO, a 1958 250 Testa Rossa, an ultra-rare 1967 275 GTB NART Spyder, a Scaglietti-bodied 1960 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, and a mid-engined 1964 250 LM that was formerly raced by Jackie Stewart. These are just a handful of Ralph Lauren’s Ferraris, and only a fraction of the iconic cars in his possession.
Of course, Ralph Lauren isn’t just limited to merely Ferraris. A highly elusive 1957 Jaguar XKSS is in his ownership, which is one of only 16 built before production was halted due to a severe fire within the factory. Another key vehicle is a 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK, which was formerly a racing car during the first few years of its existence. By 1934, this SSK, known as the “Count Trossi”, would receive bespoke bodywork at the hands of the Italian coach builder, Carrozzeria Touring, making it the only one of its kind. This same car would later go on to win Best of Show at the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, this wasn’t the only one of Lauren’s cars to receive such a high honor, as his 1938 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic had also won that title in 1990.
More Recent Cars Owned By Ralph Lauren
Although Ralph Lauren owned some of the most coveted classics in history, he’s certainly not afraid of getting his hands on newer technology. One of these is a highly rare 2010 Lamborghini Reventon roadster, which is one of only 20 ever built of this exclusive model, and would go on to serve as a key design inspiration for the Aventador. On top of that, Ralph Lauren has owned three McLaren F1s, including the highly sought-after 1996 LM-spec. In 2019, one of these sold for an utterly insane $19.8 million, making it one of the signature pieces of the collection. In addition to the pre-war Bugattis, Ralph Lauren also claims ownership to a Veyron. Further hypercars include a McLaren P1 and a Porsche 918 Spyder.
Ralph Lauren stashes his collection in a secretive location, somewhere in the realms of Westchester County in New York. All of his cars are regularly kept within working order, as Lauren reportedly drives them routinely. However, it’s not uncommon for these storied machines to make public appearances. Several of his cars have been on display at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. In 2017, Ralph Lauren’s multimillion-dollar collection even played host at the New York Fashion Week, acting as an automotive backdrop for various modeling displays and photo shoots.
Sources: Forbes, Robb Report, Musée des Arts Décoratifs. VinWiki