The Opulent Automotive Collection of King Mohammed VI
The Kingdom of Morocco, under the reign of King Mohammed VI, showcases a stark contrast between wealth and poverty, a reality not uncommon in autocratic monarchies. While 37% of the youth in Morocco are unemployed and a staggering 80% of workers operate in the informal economy, the king stands at the helm of a wealth that is estimated to exceed $5.7 billion. This immense fortune has allowed him to amass a spectacular collection of automobiles that would take several lifetimes to drive in their entirety.
A Glimpse into the King’s Vast Garage
King Mohammed VI is not just the richest monarch in Africa; he ranks as the fifth richest in the world. His wealth is intricately linked to a vast, opaque business conglomerate and private holding companies such as the Al Mada Fund. Among the crown jewels of his automotive collection is the Laraki Sahara, a hypercar with an astonishing 1,550 horsepower, of which only two units exist, each valued at approximately two million euros. Remarkably, the king owns both of them.
His car collection is estimated to be around 600 vehicles and dates back to his grandfather, Hassan II, who initially started the collection with vintage Ford models from the 1920s, alongside Cadillacs and Rolls-Royces. King Mohammed VI has a penchant for Italian craftsmanship, frequently visiting Ferrari’s headquarters to indulge in driving iconic models like the 550 Maranello and the 360 Modena on test tracks. He is also known for his appreciation of German engineering, possessing a Mercedes McLaren SLR and an official Mercedes SL 600 Pullman. Rumor has it that he once chartered a Royal Air Force plane to transport his Aston Martin DB7 to London for servicing. Other notable cars in his extensive collection include the Lexus SC430 and the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante.
Moreover, the king’s opulence extends beyond automobiles. His official residences and palaces are funded by the state budget, which covers a significant portion of the royal family's lavish lifestyle. He owns at least 12 palaces across Morocco, not to mention various properties worldwide, including a luxurious mansion in Paris valued at 80 million euros and a grand estate in Zanzibar. The royal household operates a fleet of private jets, including Boeing models and Gulfstream executive jets, alongside the majestic sailing yacht, _Badis 1_, measuring 70 meters in length and valued at around 90 million euros.
As reported by motorpasion.com.
