Inside the World’s Greatest Classic Car Collections – Part 7: William Heinecke

For the American collector William Heinecke — by now Thai by adoption, and known to everyone simply as Bill — classic cars are not merely a passion or a badge of prestige, but a way of preserving memory and culture. Founder of Minor International, the group behind major hotel chains such as Anantara, Avani, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts and NH Hotels, along with restaurant brands and luxury retail, he has become one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Asia. William Heinecke has built his success in business with the very same discipline that, over the years, has shaped one of the most important automobile collections in the world. Having moved from the United States to Thailand — where his vision gave rise to his business — he has kept the bond with his Western roots alive through automobiles too, turning a passion born in his youth into an extraordinary gathering of Ferraris, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benzes and Porsches.

At the heart of it all, however, remains the Prancing Horse — the marque that best embodies the most emotional side of his passion. Among the most important pieces stands the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale, one of the rarest and most fascinating grand tourers ever to leave Maranello, acquired by Heinecke at the 2018 Pebble Beach auction held by Gooding & Company, where it sold for 3,410,000 dollars. More recently, the car was honoured at Cavallino Classic Palm Beach with the Platinum Award, First in Class and the Most Unique Car distinction, confirming its place among the most significant cars in international Ferrari collecting.