We are thrilled to announce the successful sale of the ‘Ecclestone Grand Prix Collection’. The 69-car collection was sold in its entirety to one buyer, making it the largest single transaction ever to take place in the collector car world — an enormous accomplishment that surpasses all previous record sales by several multiples.
Thanks to the trust and vision of Mr Ecclestone, we were able to conclude this extraordinary sale within a couple of months, which would not have been possible if he had pursued more traditional routes to sell the collection, such as consigning with an auction house. Using traditional means would have also meant a great deal of uncertainty, with the possibility of many outside factors, such as political and economic insecurity, influencing the outcome. Not to mention that each individual car would have needed the right buyers, bidding at precisely the right time, with only a few minutes to make a decision ¬— not ideal circumstances when selling a collection of this magnitude.
However, Bernie had the foresight and unwavering vision to look beyond traditional auction methods and keep the collection intact in order for it to achieve its true value. Using the right approach was crucial, and we are incredibly grateful that he entrusted us with this monumental task. We were honoured to take on this mission, and we are extremely proud of the result we’ve been able to deliver.
We are also pleased to confirm that the entire collection has been sold to a single buyer, who has confirmed that he will keep the collection together, ensuring that future generations will be able to experience it in its entirety. Furthermore, the buyer has also committed to opening the collection for public viewing, allowing enthusiasts and aficionados the rare opportunity to witness the brilliance of these unique and remarkable cars.
Regarded as the most important race car collection, it spans 70 years of Grand Prix and Formula 1 racing cars. From Championship-winning Ferraris from the likes of Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and Mike Hawthorn to Bernie’s Brabhams, to the ex-Works Maserati 250F, the monstrous 16-cylinder Mark II BRM, and the famed Vanwall VW10.
Following our launch of the collection in early December, it attracted interest from all around the world. We received an incredible amount of offers on individual chassis and enquiries from numerous Sovereign Wealth Funds interested in acquiring the collection as a whole, in order to open respective museums, which is a testament to the importance of the collection.
On behalf of the entire Tom Hartley Jnr team, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to Bernie for the incredible opportunity and trust he bestowed upon us. The sale of the ‘Ecclestone Grand Prix Collection’ is truly a ground-breaking achievement, and although the deal concluded within only a few months of bringing it to the market, it was the culmination of nearly two years of dedicated attention by several members of the team. It was extremely satisfying to see the cars go to such an incredible home.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of selling some of the most extraordinary cars in the world, which accordingly have also been some of the most valuable transactions in the market. If you have a car or collection you’re considering selling, we have once again proven we are the team to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Thank you again to Bernie for his trust, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of collector cars.
“It is certainly unique for the sale of any collection to be handled like this. Historically, large collections are sent to auction when the time has come for them to be sold. However, after assembling the collection for over half a century, Bernie really wanted it to remain together, and his confidence in us achieving such will certainly now change other owners’ thinking moving forward,” – Tom Hartley Jnr