The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, reigns not just over one of the world’s wealthiest nations, but also over the largest private car collection the globe has ever seen. McLaren, Nestled deep within the secure confines of his sprawling Istana Nurul Iman palace—an estate measuring over two million square feet—lies a treasure trove of more than 7,000 vehicles, valued at a staggering US $5 billion
Rolls‑Royce: A Golden Dynasty
- Holds a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest private fleet—with approximately 600+ Rolls‑Royces.
- Includes Phantom VIs and Cloudesques (custom Silver Clouds), each boasting bespoke features.
- Most famously, the Silver Spur II stretch limousine, covered in 24-carat gold, reportedly cost around $14 million, commissioned for a royal wedding.
Bentley: British Powerhouse
- Roughly 380 Bentleys, including a fleet of Bentley Dominator SUVs—a specially crafted, ultra-luxury off-roader; reportedly six units built, each costing ~$4.6 million.
- Rare models like the Buccaneer GT, Java, and Azure complement the eclectic mix of Bentleys.
Ferrari: Italian Icons in the Mix
- Owning approximately 450 Ferraris, the collection features multiple rarities:
- Ferrari F40 – a jaw-dropping 11 units, some Pininfarina-customized, including LM models; covered in varied liveries and even left-hand-drive versions.
- Ferrari 250 GTO – held with reverence; these beauties can fetch $70 million each.
- Unique built-for-Brunei projects like the Ferrari 456 GT Venice, F50, F90, FX, and Mythos.
Supercars: Speed Legends
- McLaren F1: Ownership of 10 of the 106 ever built, including road cars, LMs, GTs, and GTRs. Some sport unique non-traditional liveries.
- Bugatti EB110: Boasts four EB110 Super Sport (SS), including one flamboyantly multi-color “Harlequin”-style unit.
- Others include Jaguar XJ220, Porsche 959, and Aston Martin V8 Zagato specials.
Collectors’ Galore
- Porsches: Over 50 Porsche 928s (32 S4s), several 959s, Carrera GTs, and rare race-derived models like the Dauer 962.
- Aston Martins: Including the rare One‑77s (≈10 units), unique AM3 grand tourers, and Zagato V8 Vantage specials.
- Exotics and concepts: Lamborghini Urraco, LM002 “Rambo Lambo” wagon, Koenigseggs, Maseratis MC12/Royale, Mercedes CLK‑GTR, Cizeta Moroder, and many more.
The Hidden Garage Kingdom
- The collection is housed across 110 garages, enclosed by bomb-proof gates, barbed wire—and heavily restricted access (even passports are temporarily held).
- Despite its fame, much of it remains shrouded in mystery—rare images from Instagram (“brunei_cars_2001”) and leaks show garages filled wall‑to‑wall with Ferraris, Bentleys, McLarens and more.
Origins and Ownership
- While officially attributed to Sultan Hassanal, much of the acquiring was spearheaded by his brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, who amassed around 3,500 cars before a financial scandal in 1997 forced reincorporation to the crown.
- Post-scandal, the crown maintains and adds to the collection under the Sultan’s name, preserving the legacy of automotive opulence.
Legacy of Scale and Splendor
Owning such a fleet equates to more than vehicles—it’s a display of unparalleled power. At one point, the Sultan bought half of Rolls‑Royce’s output in the 1990s . He has commissioned bespoke designs from the world’s top coachbuilders (Pininfarina, Zagato, Mulliner), each curated to royal taste.
This automotive empire complements the Sultan’s world-record-breaking Istana Nurul Iman, his private zoo, gold-plated jets, and global influence—transforming every horsepower into a statement of sovereign indulgence.
Why It Matters
- Cultural Iconography: A singular reflection of absolute monarchs wielding wealth as heritage.
- Automotive Heritage: Contains rare, often one-off vehicles with custom specs lost to public knowledge.
- Preservation or Decay?: Some cars suffer from neglect in humid conditions—raises discussion on value vs. maintenance.
- Mystique: Fueled by secrecy, periodic leaks ensure the collection remains legendary.
In Summary
Over 7000 cars, hundreds of Rolls‑Royces, dozens of Ferrari and Bentley rarities, and more supercars and bespoke creations than most major museums combined. This is not just a collection—it’s the epitome of sovereign grandeur, an automotive dynasty silently roaring behind palace walls.