Top 100 Collectors 2024/2025

Every year since 2018 The Classic Car Trust (TCCT) evaluates the classic cars of the globally leading collectors. Every year the collections are assessed by the experts of TCCT and the industry based on the most relevant quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Roarington Classic Car Metaland exclusively publishes the most recent raking of the carefully evaluated global top 100 classic car collectors. Read more about the ranking and experience this year's best list with the most important vintage car collectors of the year.

About the Top 100 list

The American fashion entrepreneur Ralph Lauren is the front-runner among the global collectors of classic cars. This is the result of the ranking of the "Top 100 Classic Car Collectors 2022" published annually by "The Key", the magazine of "The Classic Car Trust" (TCCT).

For the fifth time, "The Key" magazine, published by "The Classic Car Trust" (TCCT), publishes the annual list of the Top 100 of the world's largest collectors of classic cars. The collections included comprise 3831 automobiles with a total value of around 10.5 billion dollars. The first place in the 2022 ranking is occupied by the US fashion designer Ralph Lauren, who was also named "Collector of the Year 2022" for his unique "D.A.D. Garage" in Westchester County in the US state of New York.

This year's top collector owns one of the most valuable collections of engineering and design icons from the 20th century, which now comprises around seventy automobiles. Ralph Lauren's passion for classic cars once began with a Mercedes 280SE 4.5 Cabriolet from 1971, a Porsche 930 built in 1979, or a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe built in 1955, and today his collection also includes a rare Bugatti 57SC Atlantic Coupe from 1938.

Ralph Lauren has worked his way up to the top of the Top 100 over the years. In 2018 and 2019, he was still in fifth place on the list; in the following two years, he was top three, before now managing to make the leap to the top of the podium. As number one among the top collectors on the current list, Ralph Lauren joins illustrious predecessors Miles Collier (Top 1: 2018; Top 4: 2022), Fred Simeone (Top 1: 2019; Top 5: 2022) Evert Louwman (Top 1: 2020; Top 2: 2022), Arturo Keller (Top 1: 2021; Top 3: 2022).

Increasing interest in Asia Overall, the international scene of Classic Car collectors is still dominated by the USA and Europeans: in the top 10 of the Top 100, there are eight Americans, one Dutchman and one Swiss in the 2022 edition, and there are 59 Americans and 32 Europeans in the entire list. However, it should also be noted that interest and collectors' activities in classic cars are increasing in the Asian region, in India, Hong Kong, Thailand and also in South Africa. And this interest even represents a cross-generational trend: Even if the majority of collections are still in the hands of the founders, around 15 percent of the top 100 collectors now belong to a second or third generation. When it comes to brands, Ferrari and Porsche are particularly popular among collectors: every fourth classic car collectible comes from the Italian carmaker, every tenth from the German one.

How the ranking came about The list of the Top 100 Collectors in The Key has been in existence since 2018. We now have five years of experience in the evaluation of classic cars and the resulting collections.

An important criterion for ranking a collection is its financial value: For this purpose, around 200 000 data from more than a thousand auctions of Classic Cars over the past thirty years were analysed. In addition to the purely pecuniary focus, every Classic Car and every collection also has a historical value, which is also included in the Top 100. There are cars that once belonged to celebrities, won races or collected design awards. Sources for this information are digital channels, but above all also comprehensive historical documentation of cars and collections, often provided directly by the collectors. One in five of the vehicles listed in the Top 100 ranking represents outstanding historical value in the world of classic cars: for example, the GT40 that won Le Mans in 1966.

Rallys as a reference Every collection has a reputation among collectors that is nourished by the gems that have been collected. We have also tried to capture this phenomenon, which is difficult and impossible to assess scientifically, for the Top 100. We used the twenty most important rallies, races and events for classic cars as a reference: for example, the Concosro d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the Mille Miglia, the Goodwood events, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance or the Le Mans Classic and others - we evaluated all available information on these and incorporated it into the Top 100. From all these evaluations, including a subjective coolness factor, a score was determined that ultimately decided the collector's place within the Top 100.

About the rating

The list of Top 100 Collectors in The Key has been in existence since 2018. So we now have five years of experience in evaluating Classic Cars and the resulting collections - this year they include 3831 automobiles.

One primary factor in determining a collection's economic value is its financial worth. To ascertain this, we have scrutinized approximately 200,000 data points from over one thousand classic car auctions held in the past three decades. Based on average prices, the vehicles owned by the top 100 collectors are estimated to have a cumulative value of $10.5 billion in 2022. Among these automotive masterpieces, 62 percent are housed in North and South America, just under one-third in Europe, and the remaining vehicles in other parts of the world.

Apart from the strictly monetary aspect, each classic car and collection possesses a historical value that is also taken into account in the Top 100 ranking. These vehicles may have once been owned by celebrities, achieved victories in races, received design awards, or even discovered serendipitously in a barn—all of which make them unique, as each classic car has its own tale to tell. Our sources for this information include digital channels and, more importantly, extensive historical records of automobiles and collections. Increasingly, collectors are generously providing us with these records—already the case for every third collector in the 2022 edition. This allows us to utilize precise data and demonstrates that our meticulously assembled list is now acknowledged as a benchmark in the classic car collector community.

For instance, we can now report that one in five vehicles featured in the Top 100 ranking holds exceptional historical significance in the realm of classic cars. Examples include the GT40 that triumphed at Le Mans in 1966 and the 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Art, which Ralph Lauren once hailed as "the most beautiful car in the world."

Naturally, every collection holds a certain status or reputation among collectors, influenced by the treasured items amassed within. Although challenging and virtually impossible to evaluate scientifically, we have made an effort to capture this essence for the Top 100.

We utilized twenty of the most significant classic car rallies, races, and events as reference points, including the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, Mille Miglia, Goodwood events, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Le Mans Classic, and others. All available information from these events was assessed and integrated into the Top 100 ranking.

Finally, as the team behind the annual The Key list, we are ardent admirers and enthusiasts of classic cars, pouring our heart and soul into this work. Staying objective in the presence of these awe-inspiring automotive masterpieces we encounter daily proves to be an almost impossible, nearly inhuman, task. Beyond the data and statistics, we have cultivated a connection, perhaps even a love affair, with each collection we evaluate over time, leaving an indelible mark on us. Consequently, we have allowed ourselves to introduce a fourth criterion to our Top 100 collectors list, which we have named the "coolness factor." While unapologetically subjective, this factor is wholeheartedly devoted to the classic car, its collectors, and their esteemed collections.

Ralph Lauren doesn’t focus on individual cars, but rather on the collective brilliance of his meticulously curated and fiercely protected automobile collection. For him, it’s not just about design or rarity — it’s about emotion, performance, and timeless style. Each car in the collection is iconic in its own right and maintained in pristine, ready-to-drive condition. These machines are not static showpieces, but living works of art, ready to roar to life for Lauren’s genuine personal enjoyment. Fittingly, the structure that houses them is simply called “Garage” — a space defined not by luxury, but by function and purpose, always prepared for maintenance, motion, and the next unforgettable drive.

USA

Ralph Lauren

Evert Louwman’s refined taste shines in his remarkable museum in The Hague, Netherlands. Visitors embark on a journey through history, narrated by a family deeply connected to automobiles. This bond is evident, as the museum’s vehicles regularly participate in track events and prominent rallies, often driven by Louwman or his daughter.

Netherlands

Evert Louwman

Miles Collier describes himself as an “automotive archaeologist”, a concept he explores in his must-read 2022 book. His Revs Institute and collection are dedicated to restoring cars to their original glory, with an emphasis on authenticity and detail. His scholarly approach is reflected in seminars, research, and meticulous documentation that guide the institute’s mission.

USA

Miles Collier

The extraordinary collection of sports and competition cars assembled by Fred Simeone is inseparable from the legacy of the man whose passion brought them together. Though he passed too soon, Simeone ensured the collection’s preservation by donating it to a dedicated foundation. Today, it remains intact at the Philadelphia Museum, continuing to inspire enthusiasts from around the world.

USA

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

For William “Chip” Connor, the visceral thrill of racing lies at the heart of his passion for collecting — and his cars reflect that spirit. Living across Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States has shaped his perspective, deepening his appreciation for automotive history and design. Among his most prized machines is the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO.

USA

William "Chip" Connor

While it includes a few exceptional road cars, Samuel Robson Walton’s collection is primarily focused on historically significant racing machines. His passion is unmistakable — he personally drives many of them on track with remarkable skill and dedication. His dynamic collection is a standout presence at major international events and competitions.

USA

Samuel Robson Walton

His passion for racing is unmistakable — as owner of the IMSA Championship and CEO of MacNeil Automotive Products, he brings that same energy to his exceptional car collection. Highlights include icons like the Ferrari 250 GTO and Lamborghini Miura P400 SV, which he proudly showcases at Concours d’Elegance and classic car events, often alongside his daughter, Devon.

USA

David MacNeil

Albert Spiess exemplifies the essence of a true collector — methodical, passionate, and deeply focused. He immerses himself in a single marque, like Lamborghini, collecting everything from concept cars to F1 models before turning to his next pursuit. Bugatti is among his latest passions. His wife Rita plays a key role in the process, often representing him at major events.

Europe

Albert Spiess

Fritz Burkard’s rising stature in the international collector community was crowned this year with one of the highest honors: Best of Show at Pebble Beach for his Bugatti Type 59 Sports. The win was especially meaningful, as it marked the first time a preserved — rather than fully restored — car received this prestigious award, highlighting a shift in appreciation for authenticity.

Swiss

Fritz Burkard

#10

Mark Mateschitz has made a bold entrance into the upper ranks of international collectors with his acquisition of a major part of Bernie Ecclestone’s legendary Formula 1 collection. This extraordinary assembly of historically significant race cars reflects his deep-rooted passion for motorsport and marks the beginning of a truly ambitious collecting vision.

Austria

Mark Mateschitz

#11

Lawrence Auriana’s deep Italian pride fuels his remarkable collection of Bel Paese-born machines, primarily race cars. He passionately presents them at top historic events, often alongside his trusted driver, Joe Colasacco. With a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation, Auriana supports each outing — savoring the thrill and satisfaction that come with every lap.

USA

Lawrence Auriana

#12

If Friedhelm Loh’s collection were a Michelin-starred restaurant, it would serve “German excellence with an Italian twist”. His impressive lineup of Mercedes-Benz models includes the iconic 1928 680 S Sport Tourer, complemented by distinguished Porsches and remarkable Ferraris. Today, the Loh Collection is proudly displayed in its newly opened museum in Germany.

Germany

Friedhelm Loh