Bernie Ecclestone sells iconic 69-car F1 collection

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is offering for sale an extraordinary collection of 69 Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars, accumulated over more than five decades.

This stunning collection, steeped in racing history, is being sold through UK-based high end and performance car specialist Tom Hartley Jnr via private treaty, keeping the final transaction values discreet.

The 94-year-old Ecclestone, whose journey began as a motorcycle salesman before rising to become the architect of modern Formula 1, has been a devoted collector of Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars since the 1950s.

His collection reflects the pinnacle of motorsport history, including both legendary machines and rare, one-of-a-kind designs.

Dazzling highlights include the Vanwall VW10 raced by Sir Stirling Moss during the inaugural constructors’ championship year, Alberto Ascari's 1951 Italian Grand Prix-winning Ferrari 375, Mike Hawthorn's 1958 championship-winning Dino, and an ex-Michael Schumacher F2002.

The collection also features rarities such as the innovative Brabham BT46 ‘fan car’ that Niki Lauda drove to victory at the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix, a car that disappeared from public view for decades before its appearance at the 2001 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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Brabham cars predictably constitute the bulk of the line-up given Ecclestone’s ownership of the F1 team from the early seventies to the late 1980s, but as a Ferrari devotee, the Cavallino Rampante’s representation is equally scintillating.

“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example,” Ecclestone explained.

“Whilst many other collectors over the years have opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars.

“A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.”

The decision to sell the collection is not one Ecclestone took lightly. His motivation lies in ensuring the cars are well cared for and their future owners appreciate their significance.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“Tom is handling the sale for me because he knows the cars better than anyone else, his business is best placed to sell them, and I am guaranteed transparency which is important to me.”

Ecclestone’s previous sales have included noteworthy vehicles, such as in 2007 when he auctioned off 50 cars via RM Sotheby’s. However, this current sale is particularly notable for its focus on Formula 1’s golden era.

Ecclestone’s decision to sell marks the end of an era for a man who has shaped Formula 1 both on and off the track. His collection embodies the spirit of motorsport’s history, and its transfer to new custodians ensures that these remarkable machines will continue to inspire for generations to come.

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