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1 year ago
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George Foreman has arguably become best known for his grills. But what about his car grilles?
The former heavyweight champion turned kitchen-appliance magnate doesn't just know how to land a right hook and market cooking equipment; he also has a keen eye for a brilliant classic motor, having amassed one of the most enviable collections in America.
However, Foreman - who remains the oldest boxer to win a heavyweight title at the age of 45 - is having a garage clear out, with over 50 of his treasured vehicles being offered to the highest bidder in online auctions ending in December.
We have an exclusive first look at the cars from Foreman's collection that enthusiasts can get their hands on.
That's a knockout collection of cars! George Foreman is to part with his 52-strong collection of classic and desirable vehicles, which include everything from a tour bus and motorcycles to a Tesla Roadster and a barely-used Ford GT
George Foreman has arguably become best known for his grills. But what about his car grilles? It appears the former heavyweight champ has a keen eye for collectible motors, having amassed one of the most enviable collections in the US. However, he's now set to part ways with the 52 motors in a massive December auction sale
All 52 of the cars - which span every decade of production from the 1930s through to the present day - are live on auction now through Hagerty Marketplace.
Each one is sold without reserve, meaning enthusiasts could potentially pick up a bargain.
Lots close between 11 and 21 December, with multiple cars ending each weekday.
George Foreman said: 'I have been a car collector and enthusiast most of my life, but the time has come for me to share my cars with other like-minded enthusiasts.
'Being able to offer them to the more than million-strong Hagerty audience is the best way to ensure they get the attention they deserve.'
All 52 of the cars - which span every decade of production from this 1931 Ford Model A through to the present day - are live on auction now through Hagerty Marketplace. Lots close between 11 and 21 December, with multiple cars ending each weekday
One of the latest, and most desirable, cars in the collection is this 2005 Ford GT supercar. It has been in Foreman's ownership from new and covered just 790 miles, making it one of the best surviving examples today
The available vehicles released from Foreman's private collection have all been in long-term static storage and will benefit from additional mechanical attention prior to being driven.
However, certain vehicles being sold were impacted by a garage fire at Foreman's property that was triggered by a golf cart battery in March 2019.
Although none of the vehicles sustained fire damage from the fire itself, the cosmetic effects of the corrosive soot for certain vehicles can be observed in the detailed photo galleries of each lot and noted in the description.
All lots are 'sold as seen', and bidders are encouraged to contact a Hagerty Marketplace car specialist and are responsible for due diligence before placing a bid.
Amongst the selection of classic motors, American muscle cars and luxury vehicles is a 1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet A400 - the oldest example in the on-sale collection.
One of the latest, and most desirable, is from the same brand - a 2005-edition Ford GT supercar.
Finished in Mk4 red paintwork with ebony black leather interior, it comes with the sought-after optional extras including painted brake callipers, McIntosh Stereo System, BBS lightweight aluminium wheels, and white painted racing stripes.
The GT has been in Foreman's ownership from new and covered just 790 miles, making it one of the best surviving examples today.
The rest of the collection is made up of a plethora of marques, including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ferrari, Dodge, Plymouth, BMW, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Volkswagen.
As well as motorcycles, the haul also includes a massive tour bus, a slightly less massive Hummer, a number of hot-rods, a selection of low-rider motorcycles and - in completely contrast - a first-generation Tesla Roadster sportscar, which will have rocketed (pardon the pun, given Elon Musk's decision to fire one into space in 2018) in value in recent years.
The rest of the collection is made up of a plethora of marques, including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ferrari, Dodge, Plymouth, BMW, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Volkswagen. There's even this massive tour bus
Not quite as big as a bus - but pretty close - is this Hummer H1, which is another one of the lots available from The Foreman Collection
Another of the vehicles being sold is this Tesla Roadster. These rare sporty EVs (of which only 2,450 were reportedly made) have shot up in value in recent years
Another standout motor in the 52-strong haul is this 2000 BMW Z8. It is just one of 37 ever built in this colour combination and - as such - will be worth big money
A pair of modern Ferraris highlight some of the European cars of the George Foreman Collection and are showcased by the 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena (left) and the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa (right)
Another standout from the collection is the 2000 BMW Z8, a single-owner example owned by George Foreman since new and one of just 37 finished in Topaz blue metallic over a crema and black interior - one of the rarest colour combinations produced.
Meanwhile, a pair of modern Ferraris highlight the European cars of the George Foreman Collection and are showcased by the 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena and the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa.
Commenting on the motors, Cason Vogel, from Hagerty Marketplace, told This is Money: 'The George Foreman collection has universal appeal, and one could easily see strong demand for the collection from overseas given the Foreman name and the usability of many of the cars in the collection.
'On top of that innate desirability is the opportunity to own a unique piece of sports history from one of history's most well-known and celebrated boxers.'
Foreman is a former Olympic gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion of the world. His ' Rumble in the Jungle ' encounter against the late Muhammad Ali in 1974 in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) is the most famous fight in boxing history (pictured)
On 5 November 1994 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round to claim the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. At the age of 45, 'Big George' became the oldest heavyweight champ - a record that still stands today
Also in 1994, George Foreman entered the grill market with a product under his own name. Since then, an estimated 100million George Foreman Grills have been sold worldwide
Foreman, 74, said he has been a car collector and enthusiast most of his life, but said the 'time had come to share his cars with other like-minded enthusiasts,' hence the massive online auction
Foreman, 74, a former Olympic gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, is best known for his prowess in the boxing ring, with his 76 wins in 81 fights - 68 of them by knockout.
His 'Rumble in the Jungle' encounter against the late Muhammad Ali in 1974 in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) is the most famous fight in boxing history - so much so that it has resulted in a number of feature documentaries and films, including a new biopic, Big George Foreman, released in April.
Today, the Hall of Famer still is the face of his eponymous franchise, the George Foreman Grill, which has sold more than 100 million units worldwide.
President of Hagerty Marketplace, Kenneth Ahn noted: 'It is our pleasure to feature for auction the collection of Mr George Foreman, former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, on Hagerty Marketplace.
'Our team has been working with Mr Foreman to prepare each of the cars to be offered for auction, and we anticipate a strong interest and bidding for the cars on Hagerty Marketplace. The addition of the George Foreman Collection to the Hagerty Marketplace continues to highlight the growing strength and reach of our Marketplace platform.'
The Foreman Collection is up for grabs just days after a stretch Range Rover used by Mike Tyson sold at auction for £31,500.
The 4X4-turned-limo was built to order for the Sultan of Brunei in 1994, but was used in 2000 by Tyson ahead of a major fight in Scotland.
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