Are ALL Car Collectors Created EQUAL? Is There A Difference Between An Acquirer And An Enthusiast?

With the invention of social media, entire worlds were opened up for the public to see. It's amazing how technology has completely changed everything and continues to serve as a conduit for information distribution.

One thing it has done for the automotive community is give light to car collectors.

Some are really interesting with rather unique collections. Others tend to be what I consider "acquirers." These are the folks that have to have the latest all-new toy but do not actually drive them. They're essentially pieces of art until they're dumped and then the next vehicle is acquired.

This got me thinking: Are all car collectors created EQUAL?

When I see a guy like Jay Leno, you have to give him props. He loves anything and everything with wheels. That includes fire engines, jet-propelled cars and motorcycles. Leno's collection casts a wide net. Not to mention he truly loves driving his vehicles.I don't know many people who LOVE driving a fire engine to the office.

So, what say you, Spies? Is there a difference?

TomM - 10/2/2019 6:53:59 AM

+1 Boost

First - I would prefer to call an acquirer - an investor. ANd to maintain their investment and allow it to grow - they literally cannot drive the cars much if at all. But - unless we are talking about a super rich person who just buys to have them and does not care about the money - the enthusiast collector (Not just an enthusiast) also has to maintain the cars well - so they are more likely to have a small selection of their collection as drivers and/or daily drivers. Those cars will NOT maintain their value as much unless they are really really rare.

As a result - the difference is MONEY
IF you have enough - car collecting does not have to be a business. IF car collecting is a business - then your ability to drive the cars you own are limited.

Foncool - 10/2/2019 7:25:59 AM

+2 Boost

I know many of the top collectors listed on The Key. While their collections are large Many of them race their cars, employ staffs to maintain the cars. When collecting cars that are valued in the multi million level different structures need to be setup as ownership (museum etc.)

Moving those cars from their storage area carries with it an insurance premium that would make your jaw drop. Now imagine the cost for a collector in the US that ships his multi million dollar Ferrari to Europe to race at Goodwood or the Monaco and Le Mans Classic!

MDarringer - 10/2/2019 8:13:47 AM

-2 Boost

Leave it to TomM to be the voice of the snob.

Foncool - 10/2/2019 7:03:13 AM

+1 Boost

No they are not. There are many different levels and types of collectors. When you start looking into the top level rarified air collectors the demographic and what they collect is revealing. 50% are American, the #1 brand collected by far is Ferrari with over 80% of the Top 100 collectors in the world having Ferraris in the collections, followed by Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Bugatti then Porsche. Which are in the collection of between 25 to 29% of these individuals.

A complete breakdown on this level of collectors is available at https://classiccartrust.com/thekey/

PUGPROUD - 10/2/2019 8:33:56 AM

+2 Boost

Whatever rocks your boat!

skytop - 10/2/2019 11:44:05 AM

+1 Boost

Jay Leno is an enthusiast but also a prime example of an excessive accumulator.

Foncool - 10/2/2019 3:20:03 PM

+1 Boost

Excessive accumulator? Collectors like Leno save a lot of from being lost to history only viewable by looking at faded old pictures.