When something during childhood captures your fascination, it can blossom into a lifelong hobby and pursuit. This is often the case for car collectors, who are driven by nostalgic memories of a particular automobile that ignited their interest—and are inspired to acquire, restore, and drive collectible cars.
“The cars represent a halcyon day in someone’s life, and they want to return to that day,” says Bob Millstein, who founded Briarcliff Classic & Imported Car Service, a 51-year-old business that restores, refurbishes, and repairs classic cars. Millstein is a dedicated enthusiast himself who has collected and raced Jaguars for 31 years. He clearly recalls his first love.
“I remember the first time I saw a Jaguar XKE, and I always wanted to own one. I saw it being raced at Bridgehampton, and that was the car I aspired to,” he says. “All you had to say back then was XKE and everyone knew what it was; I got one—it was a 1965, $300 wreck—I fixed it up and still have that car today.”
While Bedford’s Ralph Lauren might be the most prolific car collector in the county, owning an estimated 70 impressive and historically significant vehicles, local enthusiasts run the gamut from those who have a single, vintage fixer-upper to others with multi-car collections that include rare European models. Whether it’s an antique car (25 years or older, according to Antique Automobile Club of America’s Westchester chapter president Patrick O’Rourke), a classic car (at least 20 years old), a vintage vehicle (typically those produced between 1919 and 1930, unmodified), or a muscle car (high-performance, powerful engine), these collectors revel in the beauty, history, and camaraderie that comes with car culture. They also just simply love to drive and display their prized possessions.
South Salem’s Bob Torre is a proud owner of a classic 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, a couple of Mercedes-Benz, including a 1955 Gullwing and a 1958 Roadster, various BMWs, a 1963 356 Rod Emery Outlaw Porsche, and a 1967 Lamborghini Miura, among others. “I bought an old Porsche when I was 14 years old and started restoring that, sold it for another car, and then another, and it just took off from there,” he says. As the owner of a construction company and a co-owner of an automobile restoration company, his hobby of collecting and refurbishing cars remains a central part of his life. For Torre, it’s all about driving the cars. “I take them out a lot—I’ll go to shows and go on tours, and on Sundays, a group of fellow collectors drive up to Connecticut, have breakfast and drive back.”
Though luxury and wealth are often associated with the hobby, aficionados share a connection that transcends economic status, says Armonk-based collector Charles Spiegel, a lawyer and musician.
“Cars give a feeling to all kinds of people—there is no particular economic strata, educational strata or professional strata…they make everyone feel so great.” Though his obsession for cars didn’t take off until age 35, Spiegel, now 83, went on to amass a 50-car collection over his adult life, one that he loves to share. “I take different cars out around town, even to the supermarket, and kids love to come sit in them, ask questions and take pictures,” he says. His collection includes a 1951 XK120 Jaguar, a 1998 Bentley, a 1928 Pur Sang, and a 1971 Lancia, and more. He says his favorite is a 1953 C-Type Jaguar racing reproduction.
The hobby demands dedication and attention, adds Millstein. “Classic cars require constant care; you’ve got to keep them in a good, dry place, and stay on top of proper maintenance. “Modern accoutrements like radar, anti-lock braking systems, GPS don’t exist in these older cars; I learned about cars that are repairable with your two hands.” Millstein’s shop employs specialists who are skilled in working on classic cars and even on race cars.
When it comes to the cost of acquiring a collectible car, a vehicle’s price is determined by condition, age, and scarcity. Insiders say an ideal place to start your search is bringatrailer.com, an online auction platform with detailed information and photos, along with plenty of commentary shared among its knowledgeable community. From a 1914 Ford Model T Touring vehicle that sold for $9,000 to a Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 that recently went for $691,000, there is something for everyone.
At Motor Classic & Competition Corp. in Bedford Hills, a dealership, showroom, service, and restoration company, decades of experience make all the difference, says manager and curator Nick Soprano. “We specialize in listening to what inspires people, and we refine their input and point them in the right direction when it comes to acquiring a vintage, sports, racing, and GT car; the enthusiasm for the hobby has grown exponentially over the years.” Soprano, a lifelong auto lover, has designed, collected and raced iconic cars. “I once ran a vintage Maserati 450S that Carroll Shelby raced,” says Soprano. It was the fastest sports racing car in the world in 1957.”
Across the county, from connoisseurs to “gearheads,” there are many ways to join the car-loving community: car shows during the warm months (see sidebar for more information), clubs, meet-ups and rallies (contact Westchester Sports Car Club for details) to embrace this passion. At its core, enthusiasts know that owning an iconic car is much more than an investment in something rare—it’s all about getting behind the wheel and enjoying the ride. Millstein agrees: “Most collectors take great pleasure in driving them and feeling the experience of a 1960’s sports car with the top down.”
2025 Car Shows
Check out (or show off) some cool rides.
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New York International Auto Show
Manhattan April 18-27 -
Rhinebeck Antique Car Show & Swap Meet
Dutchess County Fair May 2, 3, 4 -
Westchester County Car Show
Glen Island Park, New Rochelle September 28 -
The Road Knights Auto Club Car Show
Cortlandt Waterfront Park September 21 -
Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance
Scarsdale October TBD -
Greenwich Concours d’Elegance
Greenwich May 30-June 1 -
Viking Classic Car Show
SUNY Westchester Community College, Valhalla September 21 -
ArtsFest Classic Car Show
New Rochelle October 18. Rain date October 19
Join a Car Club
- Wheels of Time Car Club
- 914 Muscle Car Club
- Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Westchester chapter
- Westchester Cars & Coffee
- Moonlight Cruisers Classic Car Club
- Westchester Corvette Club
- Westchester Street Rod Association (WSRA)
- Shift Masters of Westchester
- Westchester Sports Car Club
- Latin Cruisers Car Club of Yonkers
Where Collectors Can Store Their Vehicles
- One Drivers Club, Bedford Hills
- HQ Auto Vault, Peekskill
Related: Mark Your Calendar for These Spring Concerts in Westchester
