Where the Rich and Famous Hide Their Car Collections (A Profile By Neighbor Car Storage LA)
Jay Leno shows off his $100-million car collection in his 122,000-square foot garage in Burbank, California–just a 16-minute drive from the Los Angeles area (He even has a show about it). Jerry Seinfeld, one of the better-known celebrity car collectors, stores his impressive $20 million collection in an underground garage in Manhattan. Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren–a proud owner of a 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic–takes a much less discreet approach, showcasing his classics in The Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris.
When you’re an A-list celebrity (or billionaire car enthusiast), you can’t trust just any typical Los Angeles self storage unit with your prized automobiles. With price tags climbing to as high as $150 million apiece, how do they all store these luxury and classic cars?
Neighbor Car Storage LA is here to unveil the secret world of car storage for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy in Los Angeles and other major cities across the globe. While luxury car warehouses keep the names of their celebrity clientele confidential, we’ll share a glimpse into the types of cars being kept in each.
Neighbor Car Storage LA’s List of Top Celebrity Car Storage Locations
#1: Underground parking garages, like the highly secretive “Batcave”
About: Windrush Car Storage, known as London’s highly secretive car “batcave”, provides a discreet and concealed facility to store the luxury and classic cars of celebrities and high-net-worth individuals who want Fort Knox security and top-tier anonymity. Annual storage costs are approximately $8,000.
Car models stored here:
- Bugatti Chiron ($3 million)
- Aston Martin DB5 ($1.4 million)
- Eagle Speedsters ($1 million)
- Several 1970 Ferrari Dinos ($400,000 each)
Amenities & services:
- Valet drop-off and pick-up
- Discreet and highly secure locations
- Dehumidified and insulated environments to prevent rust and damage
- Car photography
- 24/7/365 access
- Daily checks and automatic battery conditioners
#2: Luxury car warehouses, like Auto Concierge
About: Auto Concierge, located in Los Angeles, California, frames itself as a “vehicle asset management company” that provides specialized services and amenities for luxury and classic cars. Annual membership starts at $10k+ per year and can be much higher depending on the value and quantity of cars stored and the services purchased.
Car models stored here:
- Koenigsegg Agera R, a Swedish luxury sports car, valued at $2 million
- Lamborghini Aventador ($500,000)
Amenities & services:
- 15,000-square-foot warehouse
- Drop-off and pick-up services (the CEO of Auto Concierge himself is even known to pick up customer vehicles)
- Consultations on asset LLCs for car investors
- Bespoke vehicle exercise programs
- Located less than 30 minutes from LAX in Los Angeles
#3: Private garages, warehouses and man caves, such as Jay Leno’s Garage
About: Jay Leno’s garage, located just outside Los Angeles, California, is the home of his collection spanning over 180 cars and 160 motorcycles. The 122,000-square-foot facility houses everything from a Ferret armored scout vehicle with a Rolls-Royce engine to a car built in 1906 powered by steam.
Cars stored here:
- 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe, estimated value of $20 million
- 2006 EcoJet, a custom car made with General Motors
- 1994 McLaren F1, estimated value of $14 million
Amenities & services:
- Exclusive, easy access to your personal car collection
- Maximum customization of the space and climate control
#4: Penthouses and private “galleries”, like Porsche Design Tower
About: This 60-story, ocean-front luxury apartment building in Miami, Florida is unlike any other. With a one-of-a-kind car elevator in the center of the skyscraper, residents of Porsche Design Tower are able to bring their vehicles into their homes and show them off in their own private galleries. The architectural and engineering masterpiece is perfect for the high-end vehicles it stores and their super-rich owners.
Amenities & services:
- Custom car elevator and lifts
- Resin floors that are oil and dirt-resistant and protect tires
- Lighting setup that makes cars appear as if they are floating
#5: Private car museums, such as the Petersen Automotive Museum
About: Located in Los Angeles, CA, the Petersen Automotive Museum boasts one of the largest automotive collections in the world, dazzling classic car enthusiasts with exhibits like their Cars of Film and Television showcase. Visitors to the Petersen Automotive Museum are invited to cruise through cinematic history and experience, in-person, the most famous luxury automobiles in Hollywood. The Petersen Automotive Museum’s collection is nothing short of star-studded featuring vehicles like the 1966 Mongrel T (a vehicle with close ties to the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley), the 1989 Batmobile, and Marty McFly’s DeLorean.
Image source: Petersen Automotive Museum
Cars stored here:
- Batmobile inspired by the Chevy V-8 and the 1967 Chevrolet Impala
- 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor (that appeared in the Ghostbusters films)
- 1933 Auburn Speedster Replica (as seen in The Great Gatsby)
Amenities & services:
- Event spaces, including a 4th-floor penthouse, complete with all-glass rooms and patio
- On-site workshops and movie nights
- Kid-friendly auto-design courses for car enthusiasts of all ages (Ranging from K-12)
#6: Racetrack garage villas, like the The Thermal Club
About: The Thermal Club’s racetrack housing development offers resort-style living to car enthusiasts who long for a sense of community. Here, located 3 hours from Los Angeles, luxury vehicle owners can purchase custom villas built around The Thermal Club’s 20 different race track configurations, opting for either their three-, four-, or five-bedroom option. With lots alone going for over 1.5 million in 2021, these custom villas (complete with private five-car garages) are a luxury only the ultra-rich and famous know.
Amenities & services:
- Custom home finishes
- Breathtaking views of California’s desert landscape
- New Members’ Club campus with pools, tennis courts, and a clubhouse dining room
What other car storage options are there?
Neighbor Car Storage Los Angeles, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, reports that break-ins, fires, and flooding are common threats when storing in traditional storage units.
With these threats in mind, it’s no surprise to hear that these high-profile multi-millionaires and multi-billionaires are storing their vehicles in climate-controlled, max-security facilities (and paying the high price tags).
Luckily, there’s a better option whether or not you’re an A-list LA celebrity looking to store your vintage Ferraris. Trustworthy car storage locations in Los Angeles and our major US cities are available through Neighbor and for a fraction of the cost of the traditional facilities.
