Supercar Stockpile: The Lingenfelter Collection

Car enthusiasts can recall when and why they fell in love with cars. Ken Lingenfelter is no exception. You will probably not find a more committed car guy anywhere. Standing in the muscle car room of his collection, he explains when it all started.

“I was a teenager at the time when these muscle cars became really popular. My dad was a Fisher body guy, very much involved in the development of this car, an Olds Toronado,” Lingenfelter explains, as we gaze over the pristine automobile.

“This was the first front wheel drive car from GM, this one happens to be a really good example. It’s a near perfect car as you can see. I grew up a car guy. When my dad would get home from work he’d pick me up and we’d go back to the factory while this car was being developed. So that’s probably what got me started.”

The Toronado is one of 200 cars in the 40,000 square foot warehouse. His muscle cars include a 1971 Monte Carlo SS, a 1969 Camaro Z28 Cross Ram and a 1969 Yenko Chevelle.

“Back in the muscle car day we used to race the cars down in the Detroit area. I have the unfortunate reputation of being the only one to be kicked out of Dearborn High School for drag racing right in front of the school. “

Lingenfelter found financial success with his real estate business but his real passion was always cars. In 2008 he purchased Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a tuning company formerly owned by his distant cousin John Lingenfelter, who died of complications from injuries sustained in a drag racing accident.

He then diverts his attention to the Corvette room, which takes up 40 per cent of the collection. Inside there’s the first Corvette ever to be fitted with a small block V8 engine, a one of one Callaway Speedster, and a Shinoda bodied ZR1. There is a clear passion for corvettes here.

“I was going back to the plant with my dad when I was six or seven years old, but when that ‘63 corvette hit, with the split window, that hooked me. I thought that car was the best car I’d ever seen in my life. It grabbed me in every way.”

Entering the next room there is a jaw dropping array of exotic cars – A Ferrari FF, an F40, a 288 GTO, a 599 GTO, a F430 Scuderia 16M, and an Enzo.  On the adjacent wall sitting underneath a sign that reads “Porsche parking only,” there is a Carrera GT, a 959, a 911 Slantnose, and a Cayman S.

The jewels of the collection sit side by side. A Lamborghini Reventon #12 of 20 and a Buggatti Veyron.

The collection works very well for helping charities raise money. Ken Lingenfelter gives charities the venue to host events at the collection, helping them raise money for their cause. Charities that have held events at the collection include the Alzheimer’s Association and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

On October 18, the Lingenfelter Collection will be host to “Sweet Night, Sweet Rides,” a fundraiser event for the Kiwanis Club of Brighton.