A Peek inside America's premier luxury car shop

The compact showroom in sleepy New Canaan, Connecticut is packed with automotive history. Rarest of rare Countaches flank a mid-engine Diablo, its unique scissor door raised to showcase the gated manual transmission within. For decades, Lamborghinis from this period simply symbolized the excess of the 1980s and 90s. However, enthusiasts now admire them as low-production works of art from the prestigious Italian brand. Their value has skyrocketed accordingly.

Just five short years ago, the priciest Diablo to sell via a major online auction was around $250,000. Today, that price point captures only the most affordable Diablo available. Well-maintained examples now command double or more. A new generation of collectors truly appreciates these exclusive supercars for their engineering and rarity rather than simply associating them with bygone cultural excesses.

Anticipating shifts in collector tastes and selecting undervalued vehicles primed for price increases requires experienced discernment. In this way, The Cultivated Collector's name rings true.

However, maintaining these automobiles presents challenges. Diablos especially demand meticulous care. Lamborghini went through multiple owners during that model's years of production. By the end, Audi was the parent but Volkswagen focused preservation efforts solely on more recent Murcielagos, as Weir clarifies. Even those parts supplies remain uncertain. Aftermarket specialists have tried to fill the void, yet authentic components from the brand itself are irreplaceable. It takes a deft touch to properly shelter machines as rare and complex as these against the eroding effects of time.

Ivanhoe's current European sojourn has dual objectives - chasing down promising acquisition prospects while also overseeing restoration endeavors underway across the pond. Ensuring all work proceeds as planned is crucial to The Cultivated Collector's reputation for excellence. By Ivanhoe's estimate, the typical deal flow at the dealership now orbits around $750,000. However, it is Ivanhoe's discerning yet broad-minded tastes that sustain diversity within the showroom walls. An assortment of rare gems satisfies innovative connoisseurs rather than concentrating on any single marque. This approach keeps enthusiasts on their toes, never quite sure what marvel might be uncovered upon their next visit.

To be sure, The Cultivated Collector's showroom has seen millions upon millions of dollars change hands, though high-dollar transactions arise sporadically. One prized possession sunning itself by the window is Ivanhoe's breathtaking Jaguar XJR-15. Only a few dozen of the rare road cars were handbuilt in collaboration with Jaguar's racing partner TWR. It stood as the closest thing to a road-legal iteration of the XJR-9s and -12s that dominated Le Mans throughout the early 1990s before budget cuts forced Jaguar's motorsports exit. Ivanhoe pores over each intricate detail, like the racing transmission and bespoke motorsport components adorning the enormous naturally-aspirated V12 swaddled in carbon fiber. The XJR-15 seamlessly blends track technology with street legality in a manner unmatched since the halcyon 1950s and '60s. Recent listings value it well north of seven figures, a figure certain to climb as a new generation rightly regards it as the modern classic it is.

The thrill of the chase is what makes the business stimulating for Ivanhoe. However, securing these special vehicles presents challenges. While Lamborghinis are well-known, The Cultivated Collector also handles more elusive automobiles. Timing impacts whether a find departs quickly, like a Saleen S7 photographed on its final day before shipping to a new steward. Others, such as a jet black late-model DeTomaso Pantera, may require patience to match with the right enthusiast who appreciates its significance. Securing placements for these rarer machines can be an art form unto itself, one that keeps Ivanhoe engaged in the quest for the exemplary examples that elevate collections. Where lesser operators may concentrate only on names, Ivanhoe demonstrates a true connoisseur's ability to scout diamonds in less conspicuous settings.