Ralph Lauren may be a fashion icon, but he is also an iconic car collector. With a garage containing cars from nearly every generation since the automobile began its journey in the late 19th century, the clothing brand mogul has added a whole new definition to the term tasteful - from a 1929 Bentley 4-1/2 Litre Blower to a 2015 LaFerrari, the array of vehicles leaves nothing to the imagination. Let's have a look at this exhilarating compilation of machines owned by the well-known tycoon and see just how deep his palate reaches.
Ralph Lauren Is The The Forza Of Fashion
In Fall 2017, Ralph Lauren held his fashion show in Bedford, New York at a secret garage. Little did the attendees know that what would be on the runway not only encompassed his fall collection of clothing but more than 80 rare and vintage automobiles worth around $400 million. Ralph Lauren is probably best known for his Polo and Chaps lines of clothing, as well as cologne, perfume, and accessories galore. With over 50 years in the fashion industry under his belt, his love of automobiles far predates that, and he has the story (and the collection of vehicles) to prove it.
Born Ralph Rueben Lifschitz on October 14, 1939, he grew up in the Bronx with a father who painted houses for a living. Ralph didn't even have a bicycle as a child, and as he came of age, he decided to do something with his life after college and serve in the United States Army (which would later influence his collections of clothing and cars). After his service, he became a sales assistant at Brooks Brothers and before too long, was taking his fashion knowledge with him to start the Ralph Lauren Corporation in 1967. The rest is very well-written history, which brings us to his elegant assortment of wheeled machines.
From Morgan To Millions
The first car that Ralph Lauren ever owned was a British-made Morgan that he ended up selling because he couldn't afford repairs. Since that time, he has ultimately bought the car back along with more than 70 others that he keeps in pristine condition thanks to a curator and full-time maintenance crew. Aside from his 2017 Fall Show, the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris hosted 17 cars from his collection in 2022, and the vehicles regularly take trophies around the world. Here is a closer look at just a few of the most noteworthy vehicles of his assembly.
Ralph Lauren's Mercedes Mania
Ralph Lauren has a distinct taste for quite a few iconic brands, one of those being Mercedes. With less than 40 made, the 1930 Mercedes-Benz "Count Trossi" takes the cake for this category. This special commission by Count Trossi, an Italian automaker and racecar driver, looks like something Bruce Wayne would drive under the rhetorical auspices that he is indeed Batman. Boasting a supercharged 7.1-liter inline-six engine under the hood, this incredible machine not only turns heads but screams to let you know it's present when the throttle is opened. Another admirable Benz in the collection is a 1955 300SL Gullwing, as well as the first car he started his pack with - a 1971 Mercedes 280SE.
Ralph's Fashionable Ferraris
Among Ralph Lauren's vast array of vehicles, Ferraris are another top choice for the fashion baron. One of only 34 produced, this 1958 Ferrari Testarossa Spyder is a true gem. Ferraris in the 1950s were true racers, and this one is no different. With a V-12 engine under the hood, this vehicle was built to race. Rarely ever seen in auctions, you'd probably never see one on the roads, and the car's scarcity places it in the upper echelons of Ralph's assembly. Other Ferraris owned by Mr. Lauren include a 1954 375 Plus, a 1960 250 GT Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta, a 1962 250 GTO, and a superb 2015 LaFerrari to name a few.
Mr. Lauren Is All About McLarens
McLaren is one of the highest-quality supercar manufacturers, and wouldn't you know that Ralph Lauren owns a few? A remarkable model, being just one of six built is the 1996 McLaren F1 LM. The LM represents 'LeMans,' and this specific style is a tribute to the five McLaren F1 GTRs that placed 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 15th, respectively, at the 1995 24 Hours Of LeMans endurance race. Having a 6.1-liter V12 engine and six-speed manual transmission, this car all but flies. Three other 1996 McLaren F1s grace Ralph Lauren's garage, along with a McLaren P1 that can do 0-60 in a mind-blowing 2.8 seconds.
Ralph Lauren Is Big On Bugatti
With an array of cars like those of Ralph Lauren, Bugatti holds a special place in the legend's garage. Only four Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupes were ever made, and Ralph Lauren owns one of only three known to exist (the fourth owned by Jean Bugatti himself that went missing after his death). Considered the world's first supercar in some circles, this beauty contained an inline-eight-cylinder engine with a cast-iron block that could reach top speeds of 124 miles per hour. In 2010 one of the other two sold at auction for $40 million, and there's no telling where the last is. Also complimenting Ralph's 57SC Atlantic is a 2006 Bugatti Veyron.
High-End Clothing And Top-Notch Cars
From a humble tie salesman to the head of a fashion empire worth billions, Ralph Lauren can pretty much do whatever pleases him. In the case of his cars, we are more than content to bring you a little piece of this amazing garage of the figure himself. From Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo to Morgan and Mercedes-Benz, this assortment is all in the best taste, and as Mr. Lauren's net worth of over $7 billion expands, we hope his love of vehicles does too.