Who do/did you personally know with the best collection?

[LotusOmega375D]

Most of us will know someone with a better classic car collection than our own. What do/did they have? You don’t need to give out any names or locations, just a list of their types of cars. Just one rule: you actually have to have seen each car with your own eyes. I’ll start. This was a family friend’s collection at the height of the original classic car boom ca. 1989/1990.

Alfa Romeo Spider
Cooper-Maserati Formula 1 car (unrestored, ex Jochen Rindt)
Ferrari 500 TRC replica (with 250 V12 engine)
Ferrari Dino 206 GT
Ferrari 365 GTC/4
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (converted to 450 bhp Competizione spec.)
Ferrari 308 GTS
Maserati Khamsin
Maserati Kyalami

I believe he had some other cars scattered about in various farm buildings, but the above were housed in a purpose-built garage and the only ones I have seen. The collection has long since been sold off.

[TypeR]

Many years ago I went went to the TWR facility not far from Oxford. I had very cheekily asked them to borrow some items for a motor racing exhibition I was putting on. They kindly lent me Derek Warwick’s racing overalls and some other bits and bobs.
When I went to collect them I was asked if I’d like a little tour of the site. Of course I said yes. I got to see Tom Walkinshaw’s collection as well as the workshops where the Silk Cut Jags were built.
The collection was very varied, mainly competition cars including a Roger Clark Escort. There must have been 50 plus cars there. It was an amazing experience

[Mark A S]

Back in the mid 90’s I was invited to view a collection belonging to the owners of a frozen food company in the west country. I can’t recall all the cars, but there must have been around 50 of various types from E-types, 6R4, older Astons, some Italian exotic etc, it was VERY impressive.

2 cars that really stuck out though was a bright red Lambo LM002 4 x 4 with its huge P7 tyres [think they were around 2k each back then??] and a silver Jag 220.

When the owner visited us regarding purchasing a refrigerated vehicle, he arrived in the 220. He obviously trusted me as he gave me the keys and let me go and have a play. It went well, albeit the brakes were rather wooden and when it began to rain, traction was somewhat “limited”

[Turbobanana]

Mark A S said:

...a bright red Lambo LM002 4 x 4 with its huge P7 tyres [think they were around 2k each back then??]...

Old friend had to recommission one and was quoted £1500 / corner from Pirelli, who also tipped him off that there was a set in Germany nearing their sell-by date. He managed to secure them for £500 / corner + shipping.

[Shy Torque]

On selling their computer company in the eighties, Dad and business partner indulged themselves.

Business partner bought:

Ferrari 340 (Actual 1951 Mille Miglia winning car)
Maserati 250F (part ownership)
Maserati 6C (various) and a 4C
Ferrari Dino 246 F1 (A replica I think)
Lancia D50 F1 replica
Ferrari 365 GTS/4 (The ex Pete Townsend Daytona Spyder)
Ferrari Testarossa

There’s more, but those are the only ones I can remember offfhand.


Dad bought a new XJ6.

[Heaveho]

About 20 years ago, not long after I moved to Southampton, I heard a rumour about a guy nearby relating to his ownership of multiple exotica in a barn. Having managed to gain an accurate description of his whereabouts, I did the unthinkable and rocked up unannounced in my nearly new Impreza Turbo 2000, which I thought ( hoped ) might help break the ice. With difficulty, I tried to put aside my obvious rough geordie accent, but was stuck with my appearance, that being the look of a shaven headed, escaped mental patient with a possible history of violence. Fairly stereotypical of the breed in Newcastle.

Having knocked on the door, and then stepped well back in my best non-threatening manner, I was greeted by a guy who looked straight past me to the Impreza, and immediately started asking questions about it, which I took to be a good sign. Having confided as to why I was there, he led me straight up to a modern looking large timber structure, opened the doors and in we went.

I was gobsmacked at the sight of multiple Ford GT40s, a trio of immaculate De Tomaso Panteras of various vintage and, best of all for an ex biker, an unregistered oval piston Honda 750, something I had only heard about at the time.

[Hol]

Early 90’s, the guy who owned the Gym I frequented most week nights, was an ex racer and owned at least the following that I knew of , all at the same time.

Mk1 Cooper (twin tank)
Sierra Cosworth RS500
Lotus Carlton.

The last two, he would drive daily, but the Cooper came up in conversation. I’m sure he had others.

[Thundersports]

Frits van Eerd of Jumbo Supermarket fame has a few cars.