Newport Beach Time Capsule: Hidden Classic Car Collection Reveals Low-Mileage Treasures

In a quiet Newport Beach neighborhood, a garage door opened to reveal not just forgotten storage, but a automotive shrine frozen in time. The incredible hidden classic car collection, amassed by an 88-year-old enthusiast, has finally come to light, showcasing a stunning array of barely driven icons from a bygone era. This isn’t a story of neglect, but one of preservation so meticulous it has left experts in awe, featuring legends like a Ferrari 550, a BMW M5, and a Ford GT, all in near-showroom condition.

The Crown Jewels of a Hidden Classic Car Collection

The most striking finds from this Newport Beach treasure trove are three early-2000s performance legends, each with astoundingly low mileage. After being photographed under a light layer of dust, they were professionally detailed, revealing their pristine, original finishes. First is a 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello, a car cherished for its front-engine, V12 grandeur. Finished in Nart Blue with a tan leather interior, this Pininfarina-designed masterpiece has covered a mere 564 miles in a quarter-century. Its 5.5-liter V12, producing 478 horsepower, has barely been awakened. The second jewel is a 2002 BMW M5 (E39), widely considered one of the greatest sports sedans ever built. This Carbon Black example, with a six-speed manual transmission, shows only 4,249 miles on its odometer. The third is a 2006 Ford GT, the modern reincarnation of the Le Mans-winning legend. With its supercharged V8 producing 550 horsepower, this unregistered example in red with white stripes has only 720 miles on the clock.

A Glimpse Into a Larger Automotive Legacy

While the Ferrari, BMW, and Ford GT have garnered significant attention, they represent only a fraction of the larger collection housed within the multi-car garage. Photographs from the location show rows of vehicles meticulously parked on lifts and tucked into every available space, spanning decades of automotive history. The diverse lineup includes American muscle cars, European exotics, and quirky modern classics. Notable mentions include a low-mileage 1973 De Tomaso Pantera, several generations of Chevrolet Corvettes, multiple Bricklin SV-1s, a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, a Dodge Viper GTS, a Plymouth Prowler, and a high-performance Dodge Ram SRT-10 pickup truck. This variety underscores the owner’s broad and passionate taste for distinctive automobiles, each preserved as a snapshot of the era it came from.

The Future of These Preserved Classics

The decision to sell marks a new chapter for these automotive time capsules. The Ferrari 550 Maranello is already destined for a new owner in New York, while the BMW M5 has found a new home in Colorado. The fate of the remaining vehicles, including the Ford GT and the other rare models, will be determined as the collection is gradually consigned. The hope among enthusiasts is that while these cars have been preserved perfectly, their new custodians might also grant them the one thing they’ve largely missed: the opportunity to be driven and enjoyed on the open road, fulfilling their ultimate purpose.

Must Know

What was found in the Newport Beach garage?
The collection included a 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello, a 2002 BMW M5, and a 2006 Ford GT, all with extremely low mileage. The wider collection also featured a De Tomaso Pantera, classic Corvettes, a Dodge Charger R/T, and a Dodge Viper, among others.

Why is the BMW M5 from this collection so special?
The 2002 BMW M5 (E39 generation) is frequently hailed by experts as one of the best-driving sports sedans ever made. This specific example is a pristine, low-mileage time capsule from its original owner, making it an exceptionally rare find for collectors.

How many miles did the Ferrari 550 have?
The Nart Blue 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello had only 564 miles on its odometer, having been stored for over two decades without being driven.

Has the Ford GT been sold?
As of the latest reports, the 2006 Ford GT with 720 miles is still among the vehicles being consigned for sale from the larger collection, alongside many other classic and modern performance cars.

Who owned this hidden car collection?
The collection was owned by an 88-year-old automotive enthusiast based in Newport Beach, California, who has decided to part with his preserved vehicles.

Where can I see photos of the entire collection?
Reputable automotive news outlets like Carscoops published extensive photo galleries showing the cars both in their dust-covered state and after professional detailing.