25 Stunning Photos of the Prince of Monaco's Car Collection
Content
- 25 2009 Monte Carlo Car ALA50
- 24 1942 Ford GPV
- 23 1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000QV
- 22 Lamborghini Miura P1967 400 years
- 21 1952 Nash Healy
- 20 1953 Cadillac Series 62 2-door
- 19 1954 Sunbeam Alpine Mark I Roadster
- 18 1959 Fiat 600 Jolly
- 17 1963 Mercedes Benz 220SE Convertible
- 16 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pininfarina Series II
- 15 1968 Maserati Mistral
- 14 1969 Jaguar E-Type Convertible
- 13 1970 Daimler DS 420
- 12 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione
- 11 1971 Alpine A110
- 10 1985 Peugeot 205 T16
- 9 2001 Mercedes Benz C55 AMG DTM
- 8 2004 Venturi Fetish (1st version)
- 7 2011 Lexus LS600h Landole
- 6 2013 Citroen DS3 WRC
Prince Rainer III had a known passion for cars. He began collecting them in the late 1950s, but with an ever-growing collection of classic and sports cars with regal grilles and sleek, streamlined bodies, the garage at Prince's Palace was quickly running out.
In 1993, the 5,000-square-foot museum was opened to the public, spanning five levels of purpose-built exhibition space overlooking the Terrasses de Fontvieille at the foot of the Rocher. It may not be the largest collection of cars amassed by a single collector, but the Princes' personal collection is a must-visit for anyone interested in cars, motorsports, and historic vehicles.
It's like traveling back in time as you walk between these amazing machines built from the late 1800s to the present day. The vehicles in the collection can be anything from old horse-drawn carts and cheap cellar cars to impeccable examples of American classics and British luxury. Of course, since this is Monaco, famous for the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Rally, the museum also has several rally and racing cars from different eras on display.
The Monaco Top Cars collection offers a unique opportunity for everyone, both millionaire and ordinary person, to experience and appreciate the history of the automotive industry.
The following images are only a small part of the collection, but they show some of the vast variety that is on display.
25 2009 Monte Carlo Car ALA50
Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco and son of Prince Rainer III, presented the prototype ALA 50, a car that was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Monaco's first automobile brand.
Fulvio Maria Ballabio, founder of the Monegasque automobile manufacturer Monte Carlo Automobile, designed the ALA 50 and built it with the father-son team of Guglielmo and Roberto Bellazi.
The name ALA 50 was a tribute to Prince Albert's 50th birthday and also symbolizes the model's aerodynamic system. The ALA 50 is made entirely of carbon fiber and powered by an 650 horsepower V8 engine built by Christian Conzen, former CEO of Renault Sport, and Daniel Trema, who helped engineering firm Mecachrome prepare for the GP2 series.
24 1942 Ford GPV
The Ford GPW and the Willys MB Army Jeep, both officially called US Army Trucks, 1/4 ton, 4×4, Command Reconnaissance, entered production in 1941.
Proven to be exceptionally capable, hardy, durable, and versatile to the point that it has not only become the workhorse of the American military, but has literally replaced the use of horses in every military role. According to General Eisenhower, most senior officers considered it one of the six most important US vehicles for winning the war.
These small XNUMXWD SUVs are considered icons today and have been the inspiration for many of these light SUVs during the evolution of the civilian jeep.
23 1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000QV
The Lamborghini Countach was a mid-engined supercar produced from 1974 to 1990. The design of the Countach was the first to use the wedge shape that had become so popular among supercars of the time.
The American automotive magazine Sports Car International ranked the Countach #3 on its "Best Sports Cars of the 70s" list back in 2004.
The Countach 5000QV had a 5.2L larger engine than the previous 3.9-4.8L models, as well as 4 valves per cylinder - Quattrovalvole in Italian - hence the name QV.
While the "regular" Countach had poor visibility to the rear, the 5000QV had virtually zero visibility due to the hump on the engine cover needed to make room for the carburetors. 610 5000QVs were manufactured.
22 Lamborghini Miura P1967 400 years
When the Lamborghini Miura entered production in 1966, it was the fastest mass-produced road car and is credited with starting the trend of mid-engined, high-performance two-seat sports cars.
Ironically, Ferruccio Lamborghini was not a fan of racing cars. He preferred to make big touring cars, so the Miura was conceived by Lamborghini's engineering team in their spare time.
Both the press and the public welcomed the P400 prototype with open arms at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, all praising its revolutionary design and stylish styling. By the time production ended in 1972, the Miura was periodically updated but not replaced until the Countach entered production in 1974.
21 1952 Nash Healy
The Nash-Healey two-seater sports car was Nash's flagship model and "America's First Post-War Sports Car", the first introduction by a major U.S. automaker since the Great Depression.
Produced for the market between 1951 and 1954, it featured a Nash Ambassador transmission and a European chassis and bodywork that were redesigned by Pininfarina in 1952.
Because Nash-Healey was such an international product, significant shipping costs were incurred. Nash engines and transmissions were shipped from Wisconsin to England to be fitted with frames made by Healey. After that, the rental chassis went to Italy so that Pininfarina could make the bodywork. The finished car was then exported to America, bringing the price to $5,908 and the new Chevrolet Corvette to $3,513.
20 1953 Cadillac Series 62 2-door
The introduced Cadillac Series 62 represents the third generation of the model, introduced in 3rd year as the first series in 1948 with a tail. It received major styling updates in '62 and 1950, resulting in later models like this being lower and sleeker, with a longer hood and one-piece windshield.
In 1953, the Series 62 received a revised grille with a heavier built-in bumper and bumper guard, parking lights were moved directly under the headlights, chrome "eyebrow" headlights, and a one-piece rear window with no spacer bars.
This was also the final year of the 3rd generation, being replaced in 1954 with a total of seven generations before production ended in 1964.
19 1954 Sunbeam Alpine Mark I Roadster
Here's a fun fact: Alpine sapphire blue watches were prominently featured in Hitchcock's 1955 film To Catch a Thief, starring Grace Kelly, who married Prince Rainer III the following year, the designer of the collection.
The Alpine Mark I and Mark III (strangely, there was no Mark II) were hand-built by coachbuilders Thrupp & Maberly from 1953 to 1955 and only lasted two years in production. 1582 cars were produced, 961 were exported to the US and Canada, 445 remained in the UK, and 175 went to other world markets. Only about 200 are estimated to have survived, meaning that for most of us, the only chance to see one in the flesh will be at an exhibition of His Serene Highness the Prince of Monaco's vintage car collection.
18 1959 Fiat 600 Jolly
There are some rather quirky cars in the prince's collection, such as a 1957CV 2 year old Citroen and his older brother a 1957CV 4 year old Citroen. And, of course, there's the classic 1960 BMW Isetta 300 with a single front door.
As cute and quirky as these cars are, none of them can match the Fiat 600 Jolly.
The 600 Jolly has little to no practical use other than pure pleasure.
It has wicker seats, and a fringed top to shield passengers from the Mediterranean sun was an optional extra.
Believe it or not, the 600 Jolly was a luxury car for the wealthy, originally designed for use on large yachts, at nearly double the price of a standard Fiat 600. Fewer than 100 examples exist today.
17 1963 Mercedes Benz 220SE Convertible
The Mercedes W111 was the forerunner of the modern S-Class, it represented Mercedes' transition from the small Ponton-style sedans they produced in the post-war era to the more upscale, sleek designs that influenced the automaker for decades and carved out their legacy as a cohesive whole. of the finest cars mere mortals can buy.
The car in the collection is a convertible 2.2-liter 6-cylinder engine. The soft top folds into a recess behind the rear seat and is covered by a skin-tight leather boot in the same color as the seats. Unlike the two-door Ponton series of the previous generation, the 220SE designation was used for both the coupe and convertible.
16 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Convertible Pininfarina Series II
The Ferrari 250 was produced from 1953 to 1964 and offered a very different driving experience than those found in race-ready Ferrari cars. With performance levels that people have come to expect from Maranello's finest cars, the 250 GT Cabriolet also offers luxurious finishes to satisfy Ferrari's most demanding customers.
The Series II, first introduced at the 1959 Paris Motor Show, offered a number of stylistic changes and mechanical upgrades from the first version, as well as more interior space for more comfort and a slightly larger boot. The latest version of the Colombo V12 engine took care of performance, and with disc brakes front and rear, the car could slow down effectively. A total of 212 were made, so you will most likely never see one outside of the museum.
15 1968 Maserati Mistral
In an attempt to build on the commercial success of the 3500 GT Touring, Maserati introduced its new Mistral two-seat coupe at the 1963 Turin Motor Show.
Designed by Pietro Frua, it is considered one of the most beautiful Maserati of all time.
The Mistral is the latest model from the Casa del Tridente ("House of the Trident"), powered by the company's famous "war horse", the inline-six engine used in both racing and road cars. Powered by Maserati 250F Grand Prix cars, it won 8 Grand Prix between 1954 and 1960 and one F1 World Championship in 1957 under Juan Manuel Fangio.
14 1969 Jaguar E-Type Convertible
The Jaguar E-Type (Jaguar XK-E) combined great looks, high performance, and a competitive price that helped establish the brand as a true icon of the 1960s automotive industry. Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car of all time".
The car in the Prince's collection is a later Series 2 that received several updates, mostly to comply with US regulations. The most notable changes were the removal of the headlight glass covers and the reduction in performance as a result of the move from three carburetors to two. The interior had a new design as well as new seats that could be fitted with headrests.
13 1970 Daimler DS 420
The Daimler DS420 limousine was produced between 1968 and 1992. These vehicles are widely used as official state vehicles in several countries, including the royal houses of Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden. They are also quite commonly used in both funeral and hotel services.
With a three-speed automatic transmission, independent suspension and four disc brake wheels, this 245-horsepower Daimler limousine had a top speed of 110 mph. By dropping the price of the Rolls Royce Phantom VI by 50% or more, the big Daimler was considered an incredible car for the price, especially since it had a Le Mans-winning Jaguar engine, the last car to use it, and made to order. construction.
12 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione
There are several vintage Ferrari racing and rally cars in the collection, including the 1971 Ferrari Dino GT 246, the 1977 FIA Group 308 GTB 4 rally car, and the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB, but we will focus on the 1971 GTB/365 Daytona 4. .
While the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona was introduced at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, it took over a year before official production of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competition Daytona began. One car was prepared to race at Le Mans but crashed in practice and was sold.
The official competition cars were built in three batches, 15 cars in total, between 1970 and 1973. Each had a lighter body than the standard, saving up to 400 pounds through the extensive use of aluminum and fiberglass, as well as plexiglass side windows.
11 1971 Alpine A110
The charming little French Alpine A110 was produced from 1961 to 1977.
The car was styled after the "Berlinette", which in the post-war period referred to a small closed two-door Berlin, or, in common parlance, a coupe. The Alpine A110 replaced the earlier A108 and was powered by various Renault engines.
The Alpine A110, also known as the "Berlinette", was a sports car produced by the French manufacturer Alpine from 1961 to 1977. The Alpine A110 was introduced as an evolution of the A108. The A110 was powered by various Renault engines.
The A110 fits perfectly into the Monaco collection, back in the 70s it was a successful rally car, even winning the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally with Swedish driver Ove Andersson.
10 1985 Peugeot 205 T16
It was this car that won the 1985 Monte Carlo Rally driven by Ari Vatanen and Terry Harriman. With a weight of only 900 kg and a 1788 cm³ turbocharged engine with 350 hp. it's easy to see why this period is called the golden age of rallying.
The museum has several other rally cars from the same era as well as newer cars such as a 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale driven by Recalde and Del Buono. Of course, the legendary 1987 Renault R5 Maxi Turbo 1397 - Super Production with a turbo engine of 380 cc and XNUMX hp, piloted by Eric Comas deserves a mention.
9 2001 Mercedes Benz C55 AMG DTM
The CLK C55 AMG DTM sports car is a special version of the CLK coupe that looks like a racing car used in the DTM racing series, with a significantly widened body, a massive rear wing and significant weight savings, which included, among other things, the removal of the rear seat.
Of course, the CLK DTM couldn't have a standard engine under the hood, so a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with 582 horsepower was installed. A total of 3.8 CLK DTMs were produced, including 0 coupes, as in a museum, and 60 convertibles.
8 2004 Fetish Venturi (1st version)
When the Fetish (yes, I know it's a weird name) was introduced in 2004, it was the first sports car specifically designed to be fully electric. The car was full of technical innovations and had an ultra-modern design.
Like a real supercar, the single engine was located behind the driver in medium configuration and docked with a carbon fiber monocoque. The lithium batteries have been positioned to give the car optimal weight distribution and as low as possible to lower the center of gravity.
The result was a 300 hp electric supercar that could accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds and reach a top speed of 125 mph, offering tons of driving fun.
7 2011 Lexus LS600h Landole
At first glance, the Lexus LS600h Landaulet might seem a little out of place, given all the sports cars, vintage metal, and full-fledged race cars we've covered so far. However, take another look and you will see that this car is truly unique, making it the most unique car in the entire collection. Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet actually spent over 2,000 hours on the conversion.
The hybrid Lexus has a one-piece polycarbonate see-through roof, which comes in handy as it served as the official car at the royal wedding when His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco married Charlene Wittstock in July 2011. After the ceremony, the landau was used to travel around the principality, completely free of emissions.
6 2013 Citroen DS3 WRC
The Citroen DS3 WRC was driven by rally legend Sebastien Loeb and was a gift from the Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.
The DS3 was the world champion car in 2011 and 2012 and proved to be a worthy successor to the Xsara and C4 WRC.
Although it looks like the standard road version, they have little in common. The fenders and bumpers have been redesigned and widened to a maximum allowable width of 1,820mm. The door windows are fixed-frame polycarbonate elements, and the doors themselves are filled with energy-absorbing foam in the event of a side impact. While the rally car uses a stock bodyshell, the DS3 WRC chassis includes a roll cage and has several significant structural modifications.
