For car enthusiasts and history buffs alike, the recent leak of a secret photo cache revealing a hidden collection of exclusive cars in Brunei has been nothing short of a treasure trove. The sensational images, which have taken social media by storm, offer a rare glimpse into the opulent world of Brunei's royal family and their infamous automotive acquisitions.

The collection, valued at over $1 billion, is understood to have been commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan of Brunei. Prince Jefri, the finance minister of the oil-rich Borneo state, was embroiled in controversy in the late 1990s when he was accused of embezzling $US14.8 billion in public funds. The scandal led to a settlement in 2000, including surrendering more than 2,000 luxury cars.


For years, the full extent of this collection has been shrouded in mystery, hidden away from the public eye and becoming a source of both national embarrassment and international intrigue. However, the recent leak has peeled back the curtain, revealing hundreds of photos believed to have been taken in 2001 with a Canon digital camera. The images, some captured in dark warehouses, suggest they may have been taken covertly, adding to the allure of this grand reveal.


Among the collection are eight examples of the McLaren F1, once the world's fastest and most expensive car. The Brunei collection boasts three of the five more valuable McLaren F1 LM coupes, built to commemorate the brand's victory at Le Mans in 1995, one of three special edition 'Longtail' McLaren F1 GTs, and a unique replica of the Le Mans-winning race car. With the last known sale of a standard McLaren F1 fetching $US20.46m in 2021, these eight vehicles alone could be worth over $250m today.

But the collection doesn't stop there. It includes a handful of ultra-rare Ferrari FX supercars featuring a 12-cylinder engine and a paddle-shift gearbox developed by the Williams F1 team. These cars predate the Ferrari Enzo, which later brought this innovative combination to the mainstream market. The Ferrari F90, a custom-made vision of Ferrari's future from the 1980s, and the Ferrari Mythos, a concept car from the 1989 Tokyo motor show that was never intended for production, are also part of this exclusive fleet.

Prince Jefri's penchant for the extraordinary didn't end with sports cars. The royal family commissioned bespoke vehicles with unique bodywork, including sedans, wagons, and convertibles that the public never saw. These custom orders were painted in a variety of colours and sold at prices well above Ferrari's standard retail. Some were even equipped with military-spec night vision cameras for nocturnal escapades.


The collection also features race-spec Ferrari F40 LMs with luxurious leather interiors, an Australian Holden Commodore, and a plethora of Mercedes, BMWs, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley models, including a bright yellow Bentley SUV commissioned two decades before the Bentayga entered production.

Despite the grandeur, the collection has not fared well over time. Thomas Derbyshire, a former adviser to Prince Jefri, spoke to Vanity Fair in 2011 about the staggering number of cars and their unfortunate deterioration in Brunei's tropical climate. Many vehicles had barely been driven, with odometers showing minimal miles, yet the rubber around the windows had melted, and mould had taken hold.

The current state of the collection remains a mystery, but the leaked photos from 2001 show clear evidence of neglect. It's a poignant reminder of the impermanence of material wealth and the often ephemeral nature of luxury.


For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, this story is a fascinating look into a world of extravagance that few will ever experience. It reminds us of the importance of appreciating what we have and the value of taking care of our possessions, no matter how modest they may be. What do you think of this extraordinary collection and its fate? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!