Ron Pratte is an American businessman and car collector who has amassed an impressive classic car collection over the years. He is best known for owning some of the rarest and most expensive classic cars in the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at Ron Pratte’s net worth and how he built his fortune.
About Ron Pratte Net Worth
Early Life and Career
Ron Pratte was born in 1947 in Illinois. From a young age, he had a deep passion for classic cars. In his early 20s, Pratte started selling classic cars as a side business while working as a printing salesman. This allowed him to start building his impressive car collection.
In 1994, Pratte founded United Printing in Phoenix, Arizona which he later sold in 2010. This successful business venture gave Ron Pratte the financial means to seriously pursue his passion for classic cars.
Car Collection
Over the decades, Ron Pratte has acquired some of the most desirable classic cars in the world. His collection includes iconic models like a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, a 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage racer, and a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante.
Pratte’s car collection is valued at over $150 million. He owns over 140 classic cars spanning many decades and brands. His eye for spotting valuable rare cars is unmatched.
Some standout models in Pratte’s collection include:
- 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante – valued at over $10 million
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – valued at over $50 million
- 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage racer – valued at over $11 million
- 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake – valued at over $5 million
- 1932 Duesenberg Model J LeBaron convertible coupe – valued at over $10 million
Pratte is very selective when adding to his collection, often waiting years to find the right example of a rare classic car. His collection is housed in a 40,000-square-foot warehouse in Arizona. Many of the cars are in immaculate condition, retaining original parts and finishes.
Ron Pratte’s Net Worth
According to various reports, Ron Pratte’s net worth is estimated to be around $250 – $400 million. The majority of his net worth comes from his extensive classic car collection valued at over $150 million. Pratte also likely has other business investments, assets, and real estate contributing to his high net worth.
Here is a breakdown of where Ron Pratte’s massive fortune comes from:
- Classic car collection – Estimated at over $150 million. Pratte owns over 140 rare classic cars including some of the most expensive models ever sold like the Ferrari 250 GTO.
- Sale of United Printing company – Ron Pratte founded and later sold United Printing in Phoenix, Arizona. This successful business sale likely resulted in a multi-million dollar windfall.
- Other business ventures and investments – Pratte is a savvy businessman and deal-maker. He likely has various other profitable business investments that contribute to his net worth.
- Real estate holdings – Pratte surely owns valuable real estate assets including his 40,000 square foot Arizona warehouse that stores his car collection.
- Car auction profits – Ron Pratte has made tens of millions selling cars at elite auctions like Pebble Beach. For example, he sold a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM for over $14 million.
Overall, the bulk of Ron Pratte’s $250 to $400 million net worth stems from his shrewd classic car investments over the decades. His collection has provided an unrivaled return driven by the surge in classic car prices.
How Ron Pratte Built His Fortune
Ron Pratte’s massive fortune can be attributed to his passion for identifying and acquiring rare classic cars early on. Here are some of the key ways Pratte built his net worth:
Purchasing Undervalued Classic Cars
Pratte had an incredible eye for spotting valuable classic cars long before others took notice. He purchased many cars decades ago for just tens of thousands. Those same cars are now valued at millions creating an incredible return.
For example, Pratte paid around $65,000 for his Ferrari 250 GTO in 1977. That same car sold at auction for a record $48 million in 2018, earning Pratte an astonishing 74,000% return on his initial investment.
Pratte recognized the potential value of these cars when few others did. By purchasing the right cars early on, he benefitted tremendously from the surge in classic car prices.
Holding and Maintaining His Collection
Unlike many collectors who buy and sell cars frequently, Pratte has held onto his cherished collection for decades. This has allowed him to reap the rewards of the dramatic appreciation in value.
By keeping his cars in immaculate condition and rarely selling, his collection has become very scarce and desirable to elite collectors. He invested heavily in restoration and maintenance to ensure each car’s value and marketability.
Strategic Car Auction Sales
Although he holds most of his cars, Pratte has strategically sold certain cars through esteemed auctions like Pebble Beach to realize incredible profits. He times these sales to take advantage of record-setting auction prices for rare cars.
For example, he sold his Ferrari 250 LM in 2014 for $14.3 million, one of the highest prices ever for that model. Pratte has earned over 100 million dollars selling a handful of cars demonstrating his market mastery.
Leveraging Wealth into New Assets
Pratte has continually reinvested his wealth earned from car sales and other business ventures into new assets. This includes expanding his car collection by purchasing even more valuable rare cars when opportunities arose.
He also invested in a massive warehouse to safely store his collection. Pratte leveraged his success with cars to earn even greater wealth.
In summary, Ron Pratte’s specialized knowledge of the classic car market and skill at acquiring and selling cars allowed him to turn his passion into one of the most valuable private car collections on earth. His prescient investments earned him hundreds of millions.
Notable Cars Sold by Ron Pratte
Here are some of the most expensive and important cars that have been sold out of Ron Pratte’s collection:
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – Sold for $48 million in 2018This 250 GTO is considered the “Holy Grail” of classic cars. Its sale price broke records and remains the highest price ever paid for a car at auction. Pratte purchased it in 1977 for just $650,000 earning an astronomical return on investment.
- 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage – Sold for $11 million in 2011This iconic Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 was custom-built for racing. One of only a handful made, it sold for a world record price at the time thanks to its impeccable racing pedigree.
- 1964 Ferrari 250 LM – Sold for $14.3 million in 2014This beautifully preserved Ferrari set a new benchmark price for a 250 LM model at auction. It realized one of the highest prices ever for a 1960’s Ferrari cementing Ron Pratte’s reputation.
- 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake – Sold for $5.1 million in 2007This experimental Cobra was the only one of its kind ever built. Originally owned by Carrol Shelby, its unique history and performance provenance led to a new record sale price.
- 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus – Sold for $18.3 million in 2014One of only 12 made, this rare Ferrari sports racing car won many races in the period. Its ultra-low production numbers and winning heritage made it one of the most valuable 1950s Ferraris ever sold.
- 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante – Sold for $7.9 million in 2009This beautifully sculpted Bugatti was one of the iconic models from Pratte’s collection. Setting a new auction record for the model, it represented the pinnacle of 1930s French automotive engineering.
Pratte’s ability to recognize potential in valuable cars, and sell them at the right moment produced incredible profits that formed the basis of his tremendous wealth.
Ron Pratte’s Lifestyle and Philanthropy
Despite his massive wealth from selling some of the world’s most expensive cars, Ron Pratte leads a relatively modest lifestyle outside of collecting. He is known to be humble, generous, and quiet when it comes to his personal life.
Pratte has been married for over 50 years to his wife Linda. When not pursuing his automotive passion, he enjoys spending time with his family.
On the philanthropic side, Pratte has donated cars and money to various causes over the years. Some of his notable charitable contributions include:
- Donating $100,000 and a Ford GT to help wounded veterans.
- Auctioning his Porsche 911 Turbo for $1.76 million with the proceeds going to charity.
- Establishing automotive scholarships for students at Scottsdale Community College.
- Supporting organizations dedicated to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
- Donating a Rolls Royce to benefit juvenile arthritis.
Despite his fortune, Ron Pratte has stayed grounded and makes philanthropy a priority. Outside of the high-priced car auction world, he lives his life quite modestly.
Conclusion
In closing, Ron Pratte has accumulated an immense classic car collection and net worth valued at hundreds of millions. He demonstrated incredible foresight and vision by acquiring rare cars decades before they became highly desired by other collectors. Pratte also timed sales at the right moments to gain maximum profits from select models. As a skilled collector and businessman, he leveraged his passion into one of the world’s most significant private automotive empires. While Ron Pratte spends big on classic cars, he remains humble and generous in his personal life. His success reflects a true mastery of the rare car market over many decades.
