Dare to Dream

One of the most mouth-watering collections of cars, sneakers and sporting memorabilia is set to be auctioned ahead of the 2024 Canadian Formula One Grand Prix weekend

Housed in a 17,000-square-foot exhibition space in the heart of Toronto, Canada, the so-called Dare to Dream Collection of cars, rare sneakers and sporting memorabilia is set to be auctioned ahead of the annual F1 race hosted at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, some 500km away.

Owned by Canadian entrepreneur Miles Nadal, this immaculate collection includes 142 cars, 40 motorcycles and more than 800 pairs of sneakers, including 99 of the top 100 most sought-after shoes in the world. Nadal has owned the shoe collection that comprises limited edition examples from brands like Nike, Air Jordan and Adidas since 2019. If you’re wondering, the final pair of shoes from the “top 100” that wasn’t available to Nadal is a 1972 Nike Waffle Racing Flat “Moon Shoe” originally designed for use at that year’s Olympic Games.

Scheduled to take place between 31 May and 1 June 2024, the RM Sotheby's-hosted auction will include some of the most special motorcars ever produced. This list includes a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, 1965 Aston Martin DB5 and Shelby GT350 and a Porsche Carrera GT. According to experts, of the cars that will go under the hammer – with no reserve – the top picks include a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO estimated to be worth up to $4 million, a 1972 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV previously owned by Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay, a 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort, a 2005 Maserati MC12 and the final Jaguar XJ220 to be built.

A note on RM Sotheby’s page announcing this auction states that because of its timing and location in terms of the forthcoming Formula One race, this event “makes for a convenient and perfect setup for a car and racing enthusiast’s week-long getaway.”

Ian McLaren has more than 20 years of experience as a motoring journalist. Here, he will be compiling a series of articles documenting his learning curve when it comes to all things auction. Find him on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @IanMcLaren76.

These articles aim to offer insights only and in no way encourage reckless or hit-and-miss purchasing decisions.