Ralph Lauren is synonymous with fashion and style, but few know that the iconic designer is an avid car collector with a stash worth millions. Despite his multi-billion dollar fashion empire, Lauren’s love for automobiles dates back to the 1970s, when he first acquired a 1971 Mercedes 280SE 4.5 convertible.
Born to immigrant parents in the United States, Lauren’s journey to success was paved with hard work and determination. After serving in the army, he landed a job at Brooks Brothers, where he honed his skills in the fashion industry. In 1967, Lauren launched his own company, the Ralph Lauren Corporation, focusing initially on men’s ties before expanding into a diverse range of fashion categories.
Here are just some of the cars that grace his New York-based garage. He is estimated to own over 100 cars from all time periods and to be worth over $300 million.
Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe
Only four Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupes were ever made, and only three still exist. Jean Bugatti owned the fourth one, but the car went missing after his passing. Ralph Lauren owns one of the three on the planet. The French automaker constructed a teardrop-shaped body out of aluminum to ensure that the car was lightweight. Many people consider this Bugatti model the very first supercar, as it could reach a top speed of 123 miles per hour. One sold at auction for a staggering $40 million in 2010.
Mercedes-Benz SSK “Count Trossi”
The 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK special commission by Count Trossi is truly a remarkable and rare automobile. With its supercharged 7.1-liter inline-six engine that remains naturally aspirated at low throttle and roars to life with a mighty howl when you step on the gas, this car is a marvel of engineering and design. It’s no wonder it holds a special place in Lauren’s collection alongside other unique specimens. Of the less than 40 made, it is estimated that only 4 or 5 still exist.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Lauren’s stash also includes a rare ’62 Ferrari 250 GTO, a car that was produced from 1962 through 1964 for homologation into the FIA’s Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. The ‘GTO’ in the name stands for Gran Turismo Omologato. The ‘250’ refers to its engine displacement, a Ferrari 250cui V12 engine that is just shy of 300 horsepower. Only 36 of these Ferraris were built during its two-year production span, including 33 cars with 1962 and 1963 bodywork for Series I, and just 3 with 1964 bodywork for Series II. Four of the Series I cars were updated with Series II bodies. One of these Ferrari 250 GTO models was privately sold for $70 million, making it potentially the most valuable vehicle in Lauren’s hoard. The approval of Enzo Ferrari was given to each and every one of these iconic cars.
Ferrari 375 Plus
Another rare example that resides in Lauren’s collection is a 1 of 5 Ferrari 375 Plus. This example is another valuable asset to his collection considering that a Ferrari 375 Plus sold for $18.3 million at auction back in 2014. This vintage Ferrari proved successful after winning some big races such as 24 Hours of Le Mans, Carrera Panamericana, 1000km of Buenos Aires, Agadir GP, and Silverstone. Powering this Italian beauty is a Lampredi V12 engine capable of 325-horsepower.
Porsche 550 Spyder
Lauren’s 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder is a remarkable and rare piece of automotive history. With only 90 units produced during its three-year run, this mid-engine German sports car is a true gem for any car enthusiast. The 550 Spyder’s track record speaks for itself, with notable victories such as its first-place finish at the Nurburgring Eifel Race in 1953. Powered by an aluminum inline-4 ‘Fuhrmann Engine’ and equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, this Porsche race car is capable of reaching a top speed of 140 mph. It’s no wonder that the 550 Spyder was known for dominating the competition and securing top spots in races.
Aston Martin DB5 Volante Drop Head Coupe
The Aston Martin DB5 is an iconic British grand tourer that was made famous by its appearance in several early James Bond movies in the 1960s, including Goldfinger. The “Volante” designation means it is a convertible version. Only 123 examples of the DB5 Volante were produced between 1963-1965, making them quite rare. Lauren’s particular car is believed to be one of just 38 left-hand drive DB5 Volante models made. It features Aston Martin’s 4.0L inline-six cylinder engine producing around 282 hp.
McLaren P1
The McLaren P1 offers modern technology and high performance making it a dream car for many enthusiasts. The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in a whopping 2.8 seconds and can get up to 217 miles per hour. We understand why Lauren made a choice “to drive and not collect” this car as he noted in a Telegraph interview.
Jaguar XKSS
Here we have another vintage Jaguar that calls Lauren’s collection home. This is a Jaguar XKSS, a street version of the Jaguar D-Type race car. The automaker pulled their D-Type cars out of motorsports in 1956 to focus on the everyday driving car. Initially, 25 of these XKSS models were planned for production, but a fire broke out in the Brown Lanes plant with only 16 cars finished. The blaze destroyed the entire remaining inventory. Fast forward to March 2016, and Jaguar finally built the remaining 9 replicas of the Jaguar XKSS. A fun fact about the car is that Steve McQueen owned one in British Green and called it the “Green Rat”, and it currently resides at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.
McLaren F1 LM
The McLaren F1 LM is a rare and highly sought-after model, with only 6 of them ever built. It is a special edition tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR cars that performed exceptionally well at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans race. This particular model is based on the McLaren F1 GTR and features modifications to make it road-worthy. Out of the 6 cars produced, 5 were sold to customers.
Lamborghini Reventón
The Lamborghini Reventón is a remarkable supercar, known for its aerodynamic design inspired by fighter jets. The powerful 6.5L V12 engine derived from the Murciélago LP640 gives it impressive performance capabilities, including a top speed of 221 miles per hour. With only 20 production models made, it is indeed a rare and exclusive vehicle, with an additional one specifically created for the Lamborghini museum.
Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster
Lauren’s vintage Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster is truly a remarkable find. The history and significance of this particular model make it a coveted piece for any vintage car enthusiast. The fact that only 120 of these alloy versions were ever made adds to its rarity and value. Its top speed of 120 miles per hour was a remarkable achievement for its time, and the fact that it was once the fastest production car is a testament to its performance capabilities. The transition from aluminum to steel body construction also adds an interesting layer to the car’s history and desirability among collectors. It’s no wonder that the alloy versions are more sought after and valuable today.
LaFerrari
The LaFerrari, a hypercar produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari, was designed to be at the pinnacle of performance. It is the first Ferrari car to incorporate the HY-KERS system, which combines electric and gasoline motors. The LaFerrari’s electric motor produces over 150 CVs, while its V12 engine churns out an impressive 800 CV. Ralph Lauren’s 2015 LaFerrari stands out as a rare example, distinguished by its sleek, shiny black exterior.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Ralph Lauren is known for his impressive car collection, and it’s fascinating to learn that he owns not just one but two Porsche 918 Spyders. These plug-in hypercars are truly remarkable in terms of performance. With a 4.6L V8 engine producing 599 horsepower and two electric motors adding 282 horsepower, the combined output of 875 horsepower is genuinely astonishing. The Porsche 918 Spyder’s acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and a top speed of over 217 mph make it a standout in hypercars.
These are just a handful of the many cars he owns! We will be adding to the list as we find more. Please note we do try to fact check all information to the best of our ability. If you find an error in information – just let us know so we can update it!
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