- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
Tman
Well-known member
Quite an impressive collection. Ryan, I knew of your search for that fabric, never knew the whole story........RL impressed me with that one.
Ridge Runner
Well-known member
mcmlvif100
Well-known member
^^^ What he said. Thanks Ryan.
I don't get the whole trailer queen comments. These cars are completly irreplacible. It would be wreckless to operate them on the public roads with every Nascar wanna be and texting idiot. If ones wrecked that's it, a very important piece of automotive history is gone. These are not dime a dozen Corvettes or whatever other American car I can buy a dozen of tomorrow, they are the only examples in the World! He enjoys his collection how he wants, don't rag the man because you can't afford any of his cars. Its clear from his garage he's very passionate about these vehicles but the most important thing is he allows them to be displayed for the public to enjoy. That's very impressive that he will spend millions of dollars of his money on these works of arts and share them with the public.
three arms
Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Messages
- 14
As to driving them, Hell Yes, I'd sneak them out and wind them up and let them go, blowing out the soot, polishing a little rubber off the tires. But, still, I'd be thinking about all the idiots, which is why it'd be in the wee hours, like I used to wind through Griffith Park in the early AM in a friend's leased Targa Porcshe dreaming the James Dean dream I have about the Spyder in my future. I think those who write snotty remarks about the man, who has the chutzpah to buy those beautiful cars, are jealous and express the frustration in their own lives by downgrading someone successful enough to have the wherewithal to explore a side of his character that says 'yes' automobiles of a certain marque represent the artistic side of a group of artisans who produced what they envisioned as the best example of a motoring machine. The video, in one of the links. is worth watching. You get to hear some nice jazz and glide around more of his collection. As to the garage. 'so-called'; how we decide to view our toys, or objects d' arte, is also a reflection of our design sense, or the choice of someone who has designed it for us. Because this particular example is so extreme, I find it unique in my experience and enjoy the 'putting the beautiful object on a pedestal', as this does, refreshing. No mirrors, or angel hair here boys, think how well these beauties show up, especially with the almost perfect Hollywood lighting. I am impressed both with the man's taste, and his unique understanding of the history of Bugatti, as well as his ability to pursue other, equally distinct versions of Rolls and Porsche, two brands that I remember in the video. Especially, the Roller in racing livery from the 'goggles and leather helmet era'. Gotta give this one a ten plus Ryan. Thanks for sharing, as well as the story about his largesse. I'm impressed. If I were in your position, I'd at least invite him out for a drink, as a way of showing my gratitude. Maybe at the Four Seasons, which wouldn't be slumming for him.
atfulldraw
Well-known member
santagary
Well-known member
ditto X 2 well said Ryan.
egnorant
Well-known member
I actually have a RL makeup bag!!! I keep my fuel pressure tester and it many parts in it.
Bruce
Bruce
Ric in Richmond
Well-known member
I saw them at an art museum in Hampton Va years ago.
That is what they are ....art.
Truly amazing and inspiring pieces of art.
So what if they are on a pedestal? I am glad that someone who has the means and ability to restore and preserve such things chooses to drag them around the world and share them with people to enjoy as well.
So Ralph if you are reading this. Thank you.
BTW if you ever need someone to run the 250GTO around, you know, just to keep the fluids moving, I am your man.
R
That is what they are ....art.
Truly amazing and inspiring pieces of art.
So what if they are on a pedestal? I am glad that someone who has the means and ability to restore and preserve such things chooses to drag them around the world and share them with people to enjoy as well.
So Ralph if you are reading this. Thank you.
BTW if you ever need someone to run the 250GTO around, you know, just to keep the fluids moving, I am your man.
R
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
Nope, I don't know him...And I'll agree that it was a nice thing for a billionaire to do for you, and he owes you nothing.....I highly doubt this guy is a Jay Leno, who is actually working on his own cars (and probably knows more about cars then most of us here.)
If this guy didn't have millions to buy these cars and pay people to fix, was, wax, clean, etc, he probably wouldn't be getting his hands dirty, like we do...And we do what we do because we love the whole expierence and not just collecting (and occasionally) driving them...
And I have friends and family members who are "pussbags," and it doesn't make them bad, but they are what they are...They are not us..
csp
Well-known member
So what's your point? Does anyone tell you that you have to do certain things with your vehicles and if they did, would you care?
That's Ryan's point. Just because someone doesn't do exactly like someone else would means absolutely nothing, so why be so judgemental? Nothing better to do?
csp
Well-known member
So what if he isn't? I'm pretty sure that he's not trying to be, nor does he probably care that you get your hands dirty. Why do you care that he might not?
Do you not have any problems of your own to worry about that you must put the effort out to worry about what kind of person RL is based on a couple of pictures of his cars? Talk about shortsighted and judgemental.
Illini Pete
Well-known member
Re: Ralph Lauren\'s Garage
That's a great story and tells me that Ralph Lauren is a car guy, regardless of some of the names he's been called here. Some of you may know Dale Walksler who owns Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley, NC (if you are anywhere in that neighborhood and like old bikes, especially stuff like board track racers, you should check it out). Before Dale moved to NC, he was the Harley dealer in southern Illinois where he also started the museum and his location was between where I live in north central Illinois and my folks lived so when I would go to see them I would stop in at the museum. The second or third time I was there I met Dale and told him about my first Harley, a 1959 XLCH. Harley made that bike, believe it or not as an on- or off-road scrambler/enduro, so it came with a high pipe exhaust that ran along the right side of the rear fender. I had seen pictures of that exhaust but never saw one in person and was telling Dale that I would like to find a high pipe for a restoration. He said, heck, he might even have one lying around some place in his shop and that was as far as it went. A week or so later, I see a UPS truck drive up in front of my house and I couldn't imagine what for as I had nothing on order. It was a large box and inside was the Sportster high pipe with a note from Dale: "Pete, the pipe is $75 plus $10 shipping. Send me a check or send it back if you don't want it". I was just some guy off the street but he must have been able to tell that I liked old Harley stuff and helped me out. I've been a friend of Dale's since!
Pete
That's a great story and tells me that Ralph Lauren is a car guy, regardless of some of the names he's been called here. Some of you may know Dale Walksler who owns Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley, NC (if you are anywhere in that neighborhood and like old bikes, especially stuff like board track racers, you should check it out). Before Dale moved to NC, he was the Harley dealer in southern Illinois where he also started the museum and his location was between where I live in north central Illinois and my folks lived so when I would go to see them I would stop in at the museum. The second or third time I was there I met Dale and told him about my first Harley, a 1959 XLCH. Harley made that bike, believe it or not as an on- or off-road scrambler/enduro, so it came with a high pipe exhaust that ran along the right side of the rear fender. I had seen pictures of that exhaust but never saw one in person and was telling Dale that I would like to find a high pipe for a restoration. He said, heck, he might even have one lying around some place in his shop and that was as far as it went. A week or so later, I see a UPS truck drive up in front of my house and I couldn't imagine what for as I had nothing on order. It was a large box and inside was the Sportster high pipe with a note from Dale: "Pete, the pipe is $75 plus $10 shipping. Send me a check or send it back if you don't want it". I was just some guy off the street but he must have been able to tell that I liked old Harley stuff and helped me out. I've been a friend of Dale's since!
Pete
The man built his empire by getting his hands dirty, he's self-made. He loves his cars and he provides them with top notch service personel. So what if he isn't waxing them himself, odds are your going to want the best detailer avalible not hacking at it youself when your talking about multi-million dollar art pieces.
And frankly if he can afford too why are you knocking him for hiring someone to work on his collection. Just because you can't afford what he can dosnt mean you have the right to knock him.
bobemmerich
Well-known member
I actually had the opportunity to meet the guy when I worked security at an apparel manufacturer. Just in the couple minutes I spoke to him, he seemed like a nice guy. He didn't seem to mind talking to "just a security guard". The other executives, though, were a different story...
I never could understand why "car guys" get their ******* bunched because someone with high dollar ultra rare iron wants to trailer their car. So lets say Ralph does take one of his collection out and some douchebag futzing with their phone taps it at a red light. no major damage to the DB's ride but enough damage to Ralph's ride that no way the DB with the state minimum insurance will be able to cover it. And even if they could (like money is the real issue) the parts are long gone, I would bet that some of those cars are, if not the last one, one in a handful left. Leaving Ralph, or better said his guy who takes care of his cars, to go on an endless search for the correct part. Curb a rim? Better hope it can be repaired. ****, id hate to see what it would take to do a tune up with the correct hoses and belts and plug wires on those things. I know what correct wires go for on my lowly Saleen and I bet that wouldn't even buy one on his rides.
I'm sure he has his cars that he drives but if those were my cars you bet your *** they'd be enclosed trailered and handled with gloves, if they ever left the shrine I had built for them. I really hope I can get to that level someday.
I'm sure he has his cars that he drives but if those were my cars you bet your *** they'd be enclosed trailered and handled with gloves, if they ever left the shrine I had built for them. I really hope I can get to that level someday.
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richfinn
Well-known member
I kind of expected RL to have impeccable taste. Now I know he is cool too. If I ever need a new suit or a shirt I might pay his shop a visit. At least I know my money would go to a good cause.
Great thread Ryan.
Great thread Ryan.
9C1
Well-known member
There was a TV program on one of the cable channels (maybe what is now Velocity) about RL and his collection. He does drive some of them occasionally, and the show showed that. They also had interviews with him about some of the cars, the history of the car and how he acquired it. The TV views of the cars were just breath taking, and the interviews revealed him to be a real down to earth car guy. He would fit right in amongst us -- if he chose to do so. I am not surprised he has other things to do, however. I wish I remembered the channel for sure, so you could go and find the show on DVD or BluRay. It was a goodie.
Terry
Terry
I went to Paris just to see his cars exhibited at the Arts décoratifs museum. It was fantastic! And for those who claims that Ralph Lauren isn't a car guy (what ever that now is): Please read the book "Speed, Style and Beauty". It would not surprise me a bit if he even reads this tread!
yhprum
Well-known member
Sour grapes from a lot guys. Whats not to like; self made man, collects what he likes and udrives them.
You could sure do a lot worse. Most collections like this would never see the light of day.
Thanks Ralf!
You could sure do a lot worse. Most collections like this would never see the light of day.
Thanks Ralf!
dubber
Well-known member
Very nice, also reminds me of another "showroom" in Munich the BMW Museum and Welt.
Because they are NOT true "Car Guys".
Like Ryan said in one of his earlier posts-"I'm a car guy,I love them all".
That sums it all up for me.I'm a car guy too,and I love them all too.
This same thing happened when someone posted Craig Jackson's Garage.Guys were spouting off about stuff they had no idea what they were talking about.Just Trolls in my book.
All you have to do is Google these guys and find out that they do drive and work on their cars too.And even if they didn't,what does it matter.
Thanks for posting Ryan.
LegacyIndustrial
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Holy Over-reactions Batman!!
After viewing the photos it's fair to say that the cars in that room don't look like they go outside. Now I know that they do, thanks for letting me know.
The Corvettes comment was a pun. I like Corvettes. No excuses or apologies.
These types of articles are great. Frankly, I wish Ryan would post more as this is not the type of thing you see everyday.
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blackz26
Banned
I don't see a garage.....
awhile back i saw r.l. putzing around town in his silver 959. yeah, a 959. 
dunno if it was even conceivable to get 'em street legal (at one point in the past, it wasn't), but it's been so many years and most cops probably wouldn't even know what it is.
i didn't catch if it had a plate or not, but regardless, what a car.
and yeah, he's def. a car guy. more power to him!
dunno if it was even conceivable to get 'em street legal (at one point in the past, it wasn't), but it's been so many years and most cops probably wouldn't even know what it is.
i didn't catch if it had a plate or not, but regardless, what a car.
and yeah, he's def. a car guy. more power to him!
Heel2toe
Well-known member
Interesting bump we got there but glad I stumbled upon this thread. I too saw the collection on a school field trip in middle school IIRC. I remember being pissed that we were going to the MFA, thinking it would be boring and then I stumbled upon his collection and I was pleasantly surprised.
I was a young lad at the time (well, still am) but I recall my two favorites being his 959 and the McLaren F1. There were a ton of amazing vehicles but of course those two stuck out in my mind as I was young and didnt have the appreciation that I do today for a lot of the classics. Of course I still love the 959 and F1 but I wish I had the knowledge I have now and Im sure I would have been in awe with many others as well.
EDIT: Guess that spam was deleted so now Im the one with the necro bump duh!
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C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
LOL
Well I'm kinda glad it got bumped, I hadn't seen this before. Pretty neat, thanks Ryan!
