Bernie Ecclestone to Sell Legendary Car Collection Worth Hundreds of Millions
Bernie Ecclestone, the former supremo of Formula One, is parting ways with one of the most extraordinary private car collections ever amassed. Estimated to be worth "hundreds of millions" of dollars, the collection consists of 69 cars, including some of the most iconic and historically significant vehicles in motorsport history.
Ecclestone, now 94, announced his decision with a sense of practicality and sentimentality, stating:
"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."
An Unrivaled Collection of Racing History
The collection reads like a love letter to the golden eras of motorsport, featuring championship-winning Ferraris driven by F1 legends such as Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda. Among the crown jewels are Alberto Ascari's Italian Grand Prix-winning 375 F1 and the infamous Brabham BT46B "fan car." The latter gained notoriety for winning its first and only race before being banned the following season due to its controversial design.
The collection also includes cars driven by other racing icons, such as Nelson Piquet and Stirling Moss. These vehicles are not merely automobiles but pieces of motorsport lore, each with a story that captures the drama, innovation, and daring of Formula One's history.
Rather than putting the cars up for auction, Ecclestone has chosen to sell them through renowned sports and race car dealer Tom Hartley Jr. Hartley has described the collection as “the history of Formula One,” adding:
"There has never been, and probably never will be, a collection like this ever offered for sale again. It consists of the greatest cars of their time, many of which have not been seen for decades and are totally unique. There are many eight-figure cars within the collection, and the value combined is well into the hundreds of millions."
Ecclestone: A Polarizing Titan of F1
To understand the significance of this collection, one must understand the man behind it. Bernie Ecclestone’s life is a rags-to-riches tale that mirrors the rise of Formula One from a niche motorsport to a global entertainment empire. Born in Suffolk, England, in 1930, Ecclestone's early years were far from glamorous. His father was a fisherman, and the family struggled financially during the Great Depression.
Ecclestone entered motorsport as a driver in the 1950s, though his racing career was short-lived. He later managed drivers such as Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt, both of whom tragically lost their lives in racing accidents.
In 1971, Ecclestone purchased the Brabham F1 Team and played a pivotal role in reshaping the sport. As the CEO of Formula One Group from 1987, he revolutionized F1’s commercial model, negotiating lucrative television deals and turning the sport into a billion-dollar industry.
While Ecclestone’s business acumen is widely acknowledged, his tenure was not without controversy. He was often criticized for his autocratic leadership style and controversial statements. Despite this, his influence on Formula One remains undeniable, earning him the nickname "The Supremo."
Ecclestone left Formula One in 2017 when Liberty Media acquired the sport, ending an era that spanned over four decades.
A Recent Chapter of Scandal and Reflection
The announcement of the sale comes on the heels of Ecclestone’s legal troubles. Last year, he pleaded guilty to fraud charges after failing to declare over £400 million (approximately $509 million) in overseas assets held in a trust in Singapore. He agreed to pay back nearly £653 million (around $830 million) to HM Revenue and Customs and received a 17-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
The scandal marked a low point in Ecclestone’s later years, but the car sale appears to signal a more reflective phase of his life. His decision to sell is rooted in ensuring his collection is preserved and appreciated, rather than leaving the responsibility to his wife, Fabiana Flosi, whom he married in 2012. The couple welcomed their son, Ace, in 2020.
Related: Bernie Ecclestone Set to Sell Legendary F1 Car Collection for Millions
What’s Next for the Collection?
The cars are expected to find new homes among wealthy collectors, museums, and enthusiasts who recognize their unparalleled value. With Tom Hartley Jr. overseeing the sale, the collection is already generating significant interest in the automotive world.
For Ecclestone, the sale is more than a transaction—it’s the passing of a legacy. His cars represent not only the history of Formula One but also his own journey from an ambitious young man tinkering with bikes and cars to one of the most powerful figures in sports history.
As Hartley aptly put it:
"This collection isn’t just about the cars—it’s about the stories behind them, the legends who drove them, and the man who cherished them."
Ecclestone's Enduring Legacy
While Ecclestone’s decision to sell may seem like a simple business transaction, it is ultimately an emotional farewell to a collection built over decades of passion and involvement in the world of motorsport. This collection holds not just value in dollars but also in the rich history of Formula One and the triumphs of the legendary drivers who piloted these incredible machines. For motorsport enthusiasts, collectors, and historians alike, these cars are irreplaceable artifacts that will continue to inspire admiration long after they’ve been sold.
Ecclestone’s journey, both in Formula One and in life, is far from ordinary. His decision to pass on the mantle to new owners signals that, while his time in motorsport may have ended, the legacy of both the man and the cars he loved will endure in the hearts of racing fans around the world.
Bernie Ecclestone’s decision to sell his legendary car collection is a bittersweet moment for Formula One fans and car enthusiasts alike. The collection is a true testament to Ecclestone’s influence on the sport and his deep passion for racing history. While some may view the sale as the closing of a chapter, it could be seen as a strategic move that ensures the legacy of these iconic vehicles will live on in the hands of those who appreciate their historical significance. Ecclestone’s cars, like his influence on F1, will continue to spark awe for generations to come.
