Exclusive Bernie Ecclestone Formula 1 Car Collection Offered for Sale by Tom Hartley Jnr
Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, renowned globally as a top dealer in classic and historic sports and racing cars, is thrilled to handle the sale of Bernie Ecclestone's unparalleled collection of historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars. Bernie Ecclestone, aged 94 and the former commercial rights holder of Formula 1, played a pivotal role in transforming Formula 1 into the global sporting powerhouse we know today. His collection, consisting of 69 historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars, is arguably the most impressive ever assembled and now available for purchase.
Bernie Ecclestone has meticulously collected these cars over more than 50 years, focusing exclusively on the pinnacle of motorsport vehicles due to their significant race histories and artistic rarity. Among the collection are Ferraris driven in Formula 1 Grands Prix by legendary World Champions such as Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher, as well as Brabhams raced by Nelson Piquet, Carlos Pace, and again, Niki Lauda. This includes the unique Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B 'fan car', which triumphed in its only race, the Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp in 1978.
Bernie expresses his deep connection to these vehicles: "I love all of my cars, but the time has come for me to consider their future beyond my lifetime. That’s why I have decided to sell them." He has chosen Tom Hartley Jnr to manage this sale due to Tom's unparalleled knowledge of these cars and the transparency and efficiency his company offers.
Tom Hartley Jnr highlights the significance of this sale, stating, "This is quite simply the most important race car collection in the world." The collection covers 70 years of Formula 1 and Grand Prix racing, featuring vehicles that have achieved global fame, such as Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher's World Championship-winning Ferraris, the legendary ‘fan car’, and the Vanwall VW10. This car helped Stirling Moss secure multiple Grand Prix wins and contributed to Vanwall's first-ever Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in 1958.
Tom Hartley Jnr feels privileged to manage this sale, emphasising the uniqueness of Bernie’s collection, which includes cars unseen for decades and models that revolutionised various aspects of racing. This collection, Tom notes, "represents the history of Formula 1," offering a rare opportunity for collectors to own a piece of that storied past.
