At least we don’t have to worry about where comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s next meal is coming from. Over the weekend, Jerry sold 17 classic automobiles from his collection… to the tune of $22,244,500! Among the cars he sold at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Hollywood Wheels auction were a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder and an original 1960 Volkswagen Beetle. If you want to sneak a little car pr0n into your day, look here to see what was up for auction:
He’s still a comedian and he still loves coffee, but he doesn’t have as many cars anymore.
Comic legend and auto collector Jerry Seinfeld sold 17 of his rare Porsches and Volkswagens over the weekend — all but one of the vehicles he put up for auction.
The sale netted Seinfeld $22 million, raising a question the comedian himself might ask: What’s the deal with Jerry Seinfeld selling his cars?
The host of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” said he was hawking his hot rods to share them with other collectors.
Others speculated he put 18 cars on the block at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auction to make room in his storage yard for more cars — though not too much room, as he still reportedly owns 32 more Porsches, alone.
“I just love cars. And I still love these cars,” Seinfeld said in a January statement. “But it’s time to send some of them back into the world, for someone else to enjoy, as I have.”
32 more Porsches, how many does one human being need? Trust me, that’s a question I would like to personally answer but sheesh! The 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder is getting the most press because it is the same model that actor James Dean was racing when he was killed. One car did not sell, a 2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype, one of only two in the world. It was expected to fetch between $1.5 and $2.5 million but didn’t make the opening bid, likely because it isn’t drivable.
Last month Jerry said he was selling the cars because “… I wanted to bid these cars farewell in this way is really just to see the look of excitement on the faces of the next owners who I know will be out of their minds with joy that they are going to get to experience them.” Really? Because I would guess the $22Mil played a small role in that decision. Even though Jerry’s pants are on fire, I do agree with him, those mechanical works of art should be out and not sitting dormant in a garage. As for the speculation that Jerry is cleaning out his garage to make way for some new cars; what could you want more than a 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster?
So congrats on the sale. I know fellow car enthusiast Jay Leno auctions from his collection occasionally as well. When he does it, however, usually the proceeds go to charity, just sayin’.
Photo credit: WENN and FameFlynet Photos and Getty Images
Sounds like he Kondoed his garage.
Lol I’m picturing him hugging each car and waiting to see if it sparks joy.
I had the same thought!
It didn’t spark joy. And he realized that the cars were unhappy in the garage. As he sold each one he touched it and thanked if for its service.
Of course he can’t keep them, they can’t be folded correctly!
Honestly, he probably has millions invested in these cars so why not try to get some of the money back from selling them ? It doesn’t seem greedy to me, not when you have some of the other celebs that spend hundreds of thousands on purses made of poor exotic animals 🙁 THAT is the epitome of greed in my opinion.
I don’t see how this is greedy either. He paid for the cars and now he’s selling them. It’s an auction, people bid… he didn’t hold anyone at gunpoint and force them to buy his cars.
I get what you are saying but it’s ultimately his money that got the cars. He doesn’t have to donate money to charity. And he very well may, he just may not be telling everybody about it. If I had Seinfeld money I would have every coat ever made 😉
I’m sure he donates plenty. Not every wealthy celebrity goes around letting known how much and where they donate to. In fact, most don’t. The do it quietly year after year, not for publicity or a pat on the back.
He invests in his own art, which is his car collection.
I don’t think this is greedy he probably spent millions on these cars, they were an investment so this is what investments are for to make money that is what he did. I’m sorry but people have to stop attacking people for being good with money (not saying posters are just general statement). Having money isn’t a bad thing, it doesn’t make you a bad person and making more with that doesn’t either. It also doesn’t mean you don’t give to charity or care about other people. I mean look at all the incredibly rich people who give away fortunes.
Also there is nothing to say Jerry won’t give some of this away. He just might not feel the need to put out a press release which personally I appreciate, there is something sincere about quietly giving. I understand the awareness factor but nothing wrong with behind the scenes giving.
And I know this was a rant but this class warfare that is being perpate is wrong! You don’t judge people based on their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual ordination, gender or financial situation- you judge them on their character!!! seriously it all needs to stop!
ITA. who’s to say he won’t donate some of that money to charity? Just because he doesn’t walk around trumpeting it to the world doesn’t mean that he keeps every penny.
And if I had Seinfeld money I’d have so many purses and coats and books that I’d need a house just to store them all, lol. 😛
His money, his cars. I’m sure he paid a lot for them. I’ve never understood collecting cars. They’re beautiful, but they take up so much space and just sit there for the most part. But some people, who are wrong, say I have too much china, so.
LOL
Jay Leno has a huge collection also. He derives great pleasure from his car and motorcycle collection. I just think it’s their hobby.
I don’t get the greedy thing. They’re his. He wanted to sell them. Who cares??
That was my thought too – he bought them, he’s selling them. No greed there. And I say that as someone who can’t stand him or his wife (I still love his show though).
His show is still in syndication. He’s not hurting for money. He probably was making room in his garage for new cars. Those 32 other cars must be lonely.
He doesn’t need to feel guilty if none of the money goes to charity, it’s his money, he worked hard for it…no need to success-shame! Anyway there’s a fairly good chance that Jerry has donated many a dollar over the years to charity.
I know it’s 1.) his money and 2.) none of my business. But it would be so utterly wonderful to hear that Jerry took some of that money to Flint, Michigan. Of course there is no obligation. He doesn’t have to. I’m just saying it would make me deliriously happy to hear that.
I think many decisions we make in life aren’t really a choice between good and bad, but rather, good, better and best. Jerry made a good decision to sell the cars and pocket the money, but in my opinion, he missed making the best decision he could have by benefiting those around him who need it more.
It’s always inspiring to see someone (not just the wealthy) who can look at what they have and say, “I have enough” and use their excess to meet the needs of others who are less fortunate.
Brava, Nutballs!
I don’t see how Jerry is greedy. It’s his cars/money. Most likely the cars were expensive to began with. He probably didn’t make a lot of profit.
How could it possibly be greedy that he sold cars he owned and made money off of them?
Greedy is being $53M in debt and expecting someone else to give you money to pay it off.
I remember reading Jerry was near the top of the most charitable celebrity list, Oprah was No. 1 closely followed by Brad and Angelina. So not greedy at all.
Yea, don’t see the “greed” factor, either. Clearly there’s a market for these cars, otherwise there would be no story and no $$.
Great show called “Chasing Classic Cars”- all about finding, restoring and auctioning classic cars. Pretty interesting if you ever have some down time.
I really don’t see why people have to be shamed about whether or not they give to charity when there is no obligation for them to do so.
in that scenerio, it’s a bonus if they give, not an expectation and it shouldn’t be treated as such.
Now if we were discussing royal families with tax payer funding……..
I don’t think Jerry is greedy…he apparently gives a lot to charity. But personally, I am in the vast minority, but I DO think it is greedy if a rich celeb doesn’t donate to SOME kind of worthwhile causes. I just feel if a peasant like me can donate to charities every year…than why wouldn’t a rich person? To me if someone is rich and they don’t donate to ANYTHING then…yeah they deserve the greedy label. I mean there’s so many things to donate too, animal shelters, women shelters, local kids sports teams, schools, world food funds, WWF, etc.
Again, I do not think Jerry is greedy since he donates…and I’m not expecting any celeb to get rid of a third of their wealth or anything…but yeah the ones that don’t donate…it’s greedy. I don’t understand why so many posters here think it’s fine. If you’re rich and you don’t care enough about ANYONE ELSE, people nor animals, to donate, then yeah I’m going to judge you as a bad and selfish person. I don’t get how anyone with means can look around at all the terrible things in the world and be like “Meh, I don’t care, I’m rich screw everyone else!” I’m not rich and I donate to animal charities, food charities, cancer charities, etc. Because I feel that if we don’t each try to help eachother make the world a better place…who will?
The cars are really cool. I do wish the pictures were better from the site though, had trouble looking at the cars in its entirety, because the words were covering it up. I also don’t think he’s greedy and if I had work to pay for those cars and then choose to sell them later and keep the money that I earned I wouldn’t want to be called greedy.
Classic cars are art you can drive. They may remind you of an era. Yes, they cost money to maintain and insure, but I view it as a hobby.
He likely cleared a bit less than the total selling price. Most of the major car auctions charge fees and a cut of the sales price.
sounds like something you do before a divorce.
His wife was certainly courting public attention a year or two ago.
Greedy? It’s so obviously not greedy I’m surprised that it’s even a question. Come on, now.
Greedy? Sounds like investments that paid off.
hfdjsahgdjagh! Of course, the ONE year we don’t go to the auctions. Comedians in Cars is fabulous. Jerry is fabulous. Amelia is such a low key (car) star studded event. Such a gem for our area ^_^
Never hurts to free up a little cash. Tax time is coming up!
Years ago his garage in NY was featured in a magazine. It was the coolest garage I’ve ever seen. More like a man cave decorated with vintage cars. I thought I had also read that he had a hangar full of cars too. With all of the money he put into storing the cars I wonder if he actually made a profit from selling them.
I don’t like him very much, though Seinfeld was a really watchable show at times. He’s said he aligns with some of Scientology’s ideas (ugh!) and his wife used to (I haven’t followed her social media for ages) go on and on about people being hard on GOOP (they’re friends). These two just seem anti-peasanty just like GOOP except they’re much more subtle about it. And WTF do you need that many cars? Don’t see him doing any charity work.