Ralph Lauren, the legendary fashion designer who transformed American style with his iconic Polo brand, has built an empire that extends far beyond clothing and accessories. Born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx, Lauren’s journey from selling ties from a drawer to becoming one of fashion’s most influential figures mirrors his passion for collecting automotive masterpieces. His eye for timeless elegance, meticulous craftsmanship, and refined luxury—qualities that define his fashion empire—are equally evident in his extraordinary automobile collection. The Ralph Lauren car collection represents more than mere transportation; it embodies a philosophy of design excellence and an appreciation for engineering artistry that spans nearly a century of automotive history.
What sets the Ralph Lauren car collection apart from other celebrity collections is its curator’s unwavering commitment to authenticity and historical significance. Unlike many collectors who focus solely on price tags or exclusivity, Lauren seeks vehicles that tell stories, represent pivotal moments in automotive evolution, and showcase the marriage of form and function. His collection, valued at an estimated $600 million, reflects the same attention to detail and appreciation for heritage that has made Ralph Lauren Corporation a global powerhouse. Each vehicle in the Ralph Lauren car collection has been carefully selected not just for its rarity or value, but for its contribution to the narrative of automotive excellence and design innovation.
Ralph Lauren’s Car Collection overview
| Car Model | Estimated Value | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic | $100+ million | Aerodynamic design, dorsal seam, riveted aluminum body, art deco interior; only 4 ever built. |
| 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO | $40-70 million | Racing pedigree, long-nose design, aluminum body; only 36 produced, driven by Roger Penske. |
| 1996 McLaren F1 LM | $20-25 million | Track-focused, distinctive orange, BMW V12 with gold-lined engine bay; only 5 ever produced. |
| 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa | $12-18 million | Pininfarina body, pontoon fenders, “red head” valve covers; significant endurance racing success. |
| 1967 Ferrari 275 NART Spider | $25-30 million | Convertible, North American Racing Team (NART) badges; only 10 examples built. |
| 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | $1.5-2.5 million | Iconic gullwing doors, space frame chassis, fuel-injected inline-six; fastest production car of its time. |
| 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder | $5-8 million | Lightweight mid-engine design, early Porsche racing heritage; famous association with James Dean. |
| 1929 Bentley Blower | $7-12 million | Supercharged 4.5-liter engine, British craftsmanship, motorsport heritage. |
| 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spyder | $8-15 million | Competition chassis, elegant Italian design; built for the Mille Miglia race. |
| McLaren P1 | $2-3 million | Hybrid hypercar, 903 horsepower, cutting-edge aerodynamics and technology. |
The Crown Jewels of the Ralph Lauren Car Collection
1. 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe
Key Features: The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic stands as the crown jewel of the Ralph Lauren car collection, featuring Jean Bugatti’s revolutionary aerodynamic design with its distinctive dorsal seam running down the center of the body. This extraordinary vehicle showcases riveted aluminum bodywork, flowing fender lines, and an art deco-inspired interior that exemplifies pre-war automotive artistry.
Estimated Price: Current estimates place this vehicle’s value at over $100 million, making it potentially the most expensive car in the world. Lauren purchased it for $300,000 in the 1980s, representing one of the most astute automotive investments in history.
Performance Details: Powered by a 3.3-liter supercharged straight-eight engine producing 200 horsepower, the Type 57SC could achieve speeds of up to 125 mph—remarkable for its era. The lightweight construction and advanced aerodynamics made it both beautiful and exceptionally fast.
Unique Appeal: This is one of just four Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantics ever built, with only three surviving today. Its significance in the Ralph Lauren car collection stems from its representation of automotive art at its pinnacle, combining aesthetic perfection with engineering excellence.
2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Key Features: The Ferrari 250 GTO in the Ralph Lauren car collection features the iconic long-nose design, lightweight aluminum body, and racing-bred chassis that made it legendary. This particular GTO won its first race and was driven by racing legend Roger Penske.
Estimated Price: One Ferrari 250 GTO model sold privately for $70 million, indicating the enormous value of Lauren’s example. Some estimates place his GTO’s worth at over $40 million.
Performance Details: The 250 GTO’s 3.0-liter V12 engine produces 300 horsepower, enabling acceleration from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph. Its racing pedigree includes victories at Le Mans and the Tour de France Automobile.
Unique Appeal: With only 36 examples ever produced, the GTO represents Ferrari’s golden age of racing. Its presence in the Ralph Lauren car collection underscores Lauren’s appreciation for vehicles that combine competitive success with timeless design.
3. 1996 McLaren F1 LM
Key Features: The McLaren F1 LM in Lauren’s collection comes in a distinctive orange color and represents the track-focused version of the legendary F1. The engine bay had to be lined with gold due to the extreme heat generated by the powerful BMW V12.
Estimated Price: Current market values for McLaren F1 LM examples range from $20-25 million, making this one of the most valuable modern supercars in the Ralph Lauren car collection.
Performance Details: With 620 hp and a top speed of 386 km/h (240 mph), this speedy dynamo can go from 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in 3.2 seconds. The carbon fiber monocoque construction keeps weight to just 1,018 kg.
Unique Appeal: Perhaps the rarest car is the McLaren F1 LM, with only five examples ever produced. Its inclusion demonstrates Lauren’s appreciation for cutting-edge technology and contemporary automotive excellence.
4. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Key Features: The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa features Pininfarina’s elegant bodywork, pontoon fenders, and the classic “red head” valve covers that gave the model its name. The car represents Ferrari’s sports racing heritage at its finest.
Estimated Price: Only 34 of these Ferrari 250 Testa Rossas were ever made, with current values ranging from $12-18 million depending on provenance and condition.
Performance Details: The 3.0-liter Colombo V12 engine produces 300 horsepower, providing exceptional performance for endurance racing. The lightweight construction and aerodynamic efficiency made it dominant in competition.
Unique Appeal: The Testa Rossa’s racing success and extreme rarity make it a perfect fit for the Ralph Lauren car collection, representing the golden age of Ferrari’s sports racing program.
5. 1967 Ferrari 275 NART Spider
Key Features: Ralph Lauren’s collection includes the 1967 Ferrari 275 NART Spider, which was a car created at the request of North American Ferrari dealer Luigi Chinetti, whose North American Racing Team badges adorned all 10 of the examples built that year.
Estimated Price: With only 10 examples produced, values for the 275 NART Spider range from $25-30 million, making it one of the most expensive Ferraris ever built.
Performance Details: The 3.3-liter V12 engine produces 280 horsepower, enabling 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. The convertible configuration adds to its desirability.
Unique Appeal: The extreme rarity and American connection of the NART Spider make it particularly significant in the Ralph Lauren car collection, representing both exclusivity and American racing heritage.
6. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Key Features: He also owns a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, featuring the iconic upward-opening doors, fuel-injected engine, and advanced space frame construction that revolutionized sports car design.
Estimated Price: Exceptional 300 SL Gullwings command $1.5-2.5 million in today’s market, with the most pristine examples reaching even higher values.
Performance Details: The 3.0-liter fuel-injected inline-six produces 240 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 163 mph—making it the fastest production car of its era.
Unique Appeal: The 300 SL’s technological innovations and iconic design make it a cornerstone of any serious collection, representing Mercedes-Benz’s return to high-performance motoring after World War II.
7. 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
Key Features: The 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder in Lauren’s collection represents Porsche’s early racing heritage with its lightweight construction, mid-engine layout, and purposeful design focused entirely on performance.
Estimated Price: Authentic 550 Spyders range from $5-8 million, depending on racing history and condition.
Performance Details: The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 110 horsepower in a car weighing just 1,200 pounds, providing exceptional power-to-weight ratio and handling.
Unique Appeal: The 550 Spyder’s racing pedigree and tragic association with James Dean add cultural significance to its technical excellence in the Ralph Lauren car collection.
8. 1929 Bentley Blower
Key Features: A 1929 Bentley Blower represents British automotive excellence with its supercharged 4.5-liter engine and traditional craftsmanship that defined luxury sports cars of the pre-war era.
Estimated Price: Bentley Blowers command $7-12 million depending on their racing history and originality.
Performance Details: The supercharged 4.5-liter engine produces 240 horsepower, enabling impressive performance for its era while maintaining the refinement expected of a Bentley.
Unique Appeal: The Blower’s combination of British elegance and motorsport heritage perfectly aligns with Lauren’s appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and racing provenance.
9. 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spyder
Key Features: He also owns a 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spyder, showcasing Italian racing heritage with its competition-bred chassis and elegant bodywork designed for the famous thousand-mile race.
Estimated Price: Authentic Mille Miglia Alfa Romeos range from $8-15 million, depending on their specific racing history and documentation.
Performance Details: The 2.9-liter straight-eight engine produces substantial power while maintaining the balance and handling characteristics that made Alfa Romeo dominant in pre-war racing.
Unique Appeal: The Mille Miglia connection adds enormous historical significance, representing one of motorsport’s most romantic and challenging events.
10. McLaren P1
Key Features: Many of the vehicles in Lauren’s collection are vintage, but this McLaren P1 is a modern plug-in hybrid supercar. The P1 made its big debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2012, and went on sale in October in the United Kingdom.
Estimated Price: McLaren P1 values have appreciated to $2-3 million, representing strong investment potential for modern hypercars.
Performance Details: The hybrid powertrain combines a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor for 903 total horsepower, enabling 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph.
Unique Appeal: The P1’s presence shows that the Ralph Lauren car collection embraces cutting-edge technology alongside historical significance, representing the future of high-performance automobiles.
Conclusion
The Ralph Lauren car collection reflects more than mere acquisition; it represents a curatorial vision that mirrors Lauren’s approach to fashion design. Each vehicle embodies timeless style, exceptional craftsmanship, and cultural significance that transcends temporary trends. Lauren’s selections demonstrate his understanding that true luxury lies not in ostentation but in quality, heritage, and authentic excellence.
The collection’s diversity—spanning from pre-war Bugattis to modern McLarens—reveals Lauren’s appreciation for automotive evolution while maintaining consistent standards of beauty and performance. His choices reflect a personality that values tradition yet embraces innovation, seeking objects that combine aesthetic appeal with functional excellence. The Ralph Lauren car collection serves as both personal passion and creative inspiration, influencing his fashion designs with their emphasis on classic proportions, refined details, and enduring appeal.
The estimated $600 million value of the Ralph Lauren car collection represents more than financial investment; it embodies a commitment to preserving automotive history and celebrating human creativity. Lauren’s stewardship of these mechanical masterpieces ensures their survival for future generations while maintaining them in driving condition rather than treating them as static museum pieces. This approach reflects his belief that beauty should be experienced, not merely observed, making the Ralph Lauren car collection a living testament to automotive artistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is Ralph Lauren’s car collection worth?
The Ralph Lauren car collection is estimated to be worth approximately $600 million, making it one of the most valuable private automobile collections in the world. The value is anchored by extraordinary pieces like the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (potentially worth over $100 million) and the Ferrari 250 GTO (valued at $40-70 million). The collection’s value continues to appreciate as classic car prices reach unprecedented levels in the collector market.
2. Where is Ralph Lauren’s car collection housed?
The Ralph Lauren car collection is primarily stored in a climate-controlled facility in New York, though specific security details remain private for obvious reasons. Lauren maintains his vehicles in pristine condition and occasionally displays selected pieces at prestigious automotive events and exhibitions. The collection facility reportedly features state-of-the-art preservation systems to protect these automotive treasures.
3. How many Ferraris does Ralph Lauren have?
Ralph Lauren owns multiple Ferraris, including some of the most significant examples ever produced. His Ferrari holdings include the legendary 250 GTO, a 250 Testa Rossa (one of only 34 built), and the ultra-rare 275 NART Spider (one of only 10 produced). These Ferraris alone represent a substantial portion of the Ralph Lauren car collection’s overall value and showcase his particular appreciation for Maranello’s finest creations.
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