The reclusive Sultan of Brunei is the owner of the largest automotive collection in the world, estimated to be worth over $5 billion, with 7,000 vehicles.
You won’t ever see his automobiles since it’s private and you’re not friends with the absolute monarch of this little oil-rich state on Borneo’s north coast. Regrettably, the Sultan or his similarly automobile-obsessed younger brother, Prince Jefri, specially commissioned a number of unique and impressive machines.
It’s believed that because of his prominence as a car buyer and collector, Rolls-Royce and Bentley were able to survive their lowest points. The Sultan and his family purchased over half of all Rolls-Royces and Bentleys sold in the early and mid-1990s. A lot of them were custom.
Sultan’s Secrets
Six Bentley Dominators, the brand’s first SUV, were among the specially ordered vehicles by the Sultan (20 years before the Bentayga). It was a covert project, like so many Brunei automobiles, and was only made public after a photographer captured an image of the vehicle being put into a cargo plane headed for Brunei.
In addition, there was the 1996 Bentley Buccaneer, a sporty coupé; there were other Bentleys at Silverstone, Spectre, Rapier, Pegasus, Phoenix, and Camelot. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with these nameplates; Bentley never produced them formally. They were private, custom-built coach commissions. Though they have leaked, the strange picture and nugget are still unknown. An estimated 380 Bentleys are owned by the Sultan and his family.
Brunei’s Sultan owns 600 Rolls-Royce
His Rolls-Royce collection is the largest. Among his 600-car Rolls-Royce collection are custom and covert automobiles like the Rolls-Royce Royale, Majestic, and Cloudesque, which are all opulent and large limousines. The only sources of information we have are a few paparazzi from Southeast Asia and the occasional visitor who spots the royal family out driving. The Silver Spur II Rolls-Royce that was driven by the Sultan on his wedding day was one that was more visible. But this was no ordinary Silver Spur. It had a 24-carat gold plating on it.
Other notable vehicles are Ferraris that have been particularly commissioned. These include the 1995 FX (six ordered by the Sultan), the 1988 F90 supercar, and the 456 GT Venice station wagon. Six of these were commissioned by Prince Jefri. The F40, possibly the most thrilling of all Ferraris, and the 250 GTO, the most valued of all Ferraris (he has two), are rare but non-bespoke models. He has eleven.
Brunei’s Bugatti Collection
If you’re fortunate enough to receive an invitation, you’ll also be able to see rare automobiles like the McLaren F1 (of which the Brunei royal family originally purchased ten; some have since been sold, but reportedly seven are still in the collection), the Jaguar XJ220, the Aston Martin Vantage “Special Series” that Brunei commissioned, the BMW Nazca M12 concept, and the Bugatti EB110. Along with thousands of other amazing vehicles, all kept in a huge automotive palace featuring distinct wings for the most significant brands.
Sultan’s Bentley Buccaneer
The Sultan, whose full name is Hassanal Bolkiah, is the second-longest-reigning monarch after Queen Elizabeth II. He resides in what is regarded to be the largest palace in the world, with 1,788 rooms and 57 baths. Prior to Bill Gates unseating him as the richest man in the world, he held this title.
He ascended to the throne in 1967 and began amassing his collection of cars shortly thereafter.
Not all of his excess is related to cars. He paid $70 million for a painting by Renoir, has 30 Bengal tigers in his own private zoo, and is said to send a barber from The Dorchester hotel in London to trim his hair. Additionally, he hired Jack Nicklaus to create the layout for his exclusive golf course.
