Ralph Lauren car collection goes on display in Paris

A selection of cars owned by fashion legend Ralph Lauren will go on display in Paris this week, in a unique  exhibition of one of the world's most distinctive collections.

Ralph Lauren, who famously described cars as "moving art" in his 2004 book Speed, Style and Beauty, owns an extensive collection of vehicles which is rarely seen by the public - until now.

Seventeen of the most striking models, selected from the 1930s until the present day, will be on display in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from April 28 until August 28, offering a unique glimpse at the tastes of a major name in the fashion world.

Among the exhibits will be the Bentley Blower of 1929, immortalised in Ian Fleming's early James Bond novels, a Mercedes-Benz SSK from 1930 owned by racing driver Count Carlo Felice Trossie and A Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupe, one of only four ever made (and only two that remain).

Ferrari fans are well catered for - there are four in the collection - with a 375 Plus from 1954 (designed under the direction of Pinin Farina himself) and a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa from 1957 by automotive legend Sergio Scaglietti.

If you can't make it to the exhibition, Ralph Lauren has collected the sounds of the engines online at http://ralphlaurencarcollection.co.uk/ and to celebrate the launch, a Discovery Channel documentary on Ralph Lauren's cars will be broadcast in France, Belgium and Switzerland on July 2 and July 3.

The Art of the Automobile is open April 28 through August 28 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr