Bernie Ecclestone to Sell Formula 1 Car Collection

In a monumental move, Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, one of the world’s most prestigious high-end classic car dealers, has been chosen by Formula 1 legend Bernie Ecclestone to manage the sale of his extraordinary collection of 69 historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars. The sale marks the end of an era for Ecclestone, who, at 94, is looking to pass on his unmatched collection to a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts.

For decades, Bernie Ecclestone was the commercial rights holder of Formula 1, shaping the sport into the global powerhouse it is today. His personal collection, however, represents an even more intimate history of F1—an assemblage of cars that showcases the evolution of the sport across 70 years. Each of the 69 cars is a unique and unparalleled piece of racing history, many of which have been stored away for decades and have never been seen by the public since they were purchased by Ecclestone himself.

Among the highlights are Ferrari F1 cars raced by iconic World Champions like Mike Hawthorn, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher. Brabhams featuring racing greats such as Nelson Piquet, Carlos Pace, and once again, Niki Lauda, are also on offer. Perhaps the most famous of all is the Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘fan car’, which famously won the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp—its only race. With its unique engineering, the BT46B remains one of the most innovative and talked-about machines in F1 history.

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ABOVE: Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd will sell Formula 1 legend Bernie Ecclestone’s collection

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“I have been collecting these cars for over 50 years, and I’ve only ever bought the best examples,” Ecclestone remarked in a statement. “For me, a Grand Prix or Formula 1 car is the pinnacle of motorsport—more so than any road car or other race car. These cars have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art. But the time has come to let them go. I want to know where they’ll go, and I trust Tom Hartley Jnr to find the right homes for them.”

Tom Hartley Jnr, the founder of the eponymous dealership, echoed Ecclestone’s sentiments, emphasizing the extraordinary significance of the collection. “This is, quite simply, the most important race car collection in the world. There has never been, and likely never will be, a collection like this offered for sale again,” said Hartley. “The collection spans seven decades of F1 history, from the early days of Ferrari’s dominance to the innovative Brabham cars, including the famous ‘fan car’. But for me, the standout cars are the Ferraris, particularly the Mike Hawthorn and Niki Lauda World Championship-winning machines.”

Hartley also underscored the importance of the Brabham cars, which played a key role in the team’s success under Ecclestone’s stewardship. “Brabham scored 22 Grand Prix wins and two World Championships under Bernie. These cars were not just competitive, they were trailblazers, introducing innovations such as carbon brakes and in-race refuelling. Bernie has kept these cars in pristine condition, and it is an honor to be the one chosen to offer them to new collectors.”

Among the most coveted cars in the collection are the Ferrari 375 F1, which won the 1951 Italian Grand Prix, and the Vanwall VW10, driven by Stirling Moss to several F1 victories, helping Vanwall claim the first-ever Constructors’ Championship in 1958. These are not merely cars; they are artifacts of a rich, storied history that anyone with a passion for motorsport will recognize as the cornerstones of Formula 1.

“For collectors, this is the Holy Grail,” said Hartley. “It is a rare opportunity to acquire machines that have never before been offered for sale, cars that are pieces of motorsport history.”

As the cars are made available for sale, Hartley anticipates that these legendary machines will not only be sought by collectors but could eventually return to the track where they once dominated, reviving the spirit of the sport’s golden years. In an era where modern F1 cars often look indistinguishable from one another, the designs of these vintage cars remain instantly recognizable—a testament to the artistry and engineering that defined their time.

“This collection is the history of Formula 1,” Hartley concluded. “And it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of that history.”

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