Luc Poirier with his wife Isabelle Gauvin.
What can a man who became one of the richest in Canada starting from nothing dream of doing?
Luc Poirier with his ‘fist Ferrari’.
A man who starts working hard at 14 and who, at less than 16 when he doesn’t yet have a driver’s license, invests his hard-earned savings in buying a Porsche.
Luc Poirier's private jet.
Luc Poirier's helicopter.
He gets everything you can imagine, planes, helicopters, travel, a dream life.
And all the extravagances he had imagined.
Luc Poirier with his wife Isabelle Gauvin and one of his beloved Ferraris.
But, above all, he can give unbridled vent to his passions, first of all the one he has had since he was a child and that was instilled in him by Gilles Villeneuve: buying Ferraris, those that give him what not even money can buy, pure joy.
Luc Poirier with some of his Ferraris.
And he buys many Ferraris, very many, until he becomes the first collector in Canada and among the first in the world.
Luc Poirier with his wife Isabelle Gauvin.
A story of success and passion that of Luc, that of a happy man.
Luc Poirier driving a Ferrari.
Luc Poirier: real estate investor and rare car collector. Writer: Alexandra Wegliszewski.
Cover by Andréanne Gauthier
Luc Poirier.
In the business world, there are people who rise to the pinnacle of success, achieving the freedom to pursue their passions. Distinguished real estate investor and luxury car collector Luc Poirier is the perfect example. In this exclusive interview with LUXE, Luc Poirier opens his garage doors to reveal why he invests in luxury cars.
What drove you to invest in luxury cars?
“I’ve been fascinated by luxury cars for as long as I can remember. Coming from a poor neighbourhood, I dreamt of owning that type of car. Before I even turned 16, I used my savings —painstakingly earned by working full-time from the age of 14 — to buy my first Porsche. I didn’t even have my driver’s licence yet!
I’m drawn to the unique characteristics of luxury cars and the challenge of hunting down rare models. It’s more than just a question of money. I love studying them, sharing them with other aficionados and, above all, driving them!”
Luc Poirier’s garage. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
McLaren Senna and 600LT. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
How do you choose which cars to add to your collection?
“I have a penchant for Ferrari. It’s a brand that stands apart because of its history in the automobile industry when it comes to both elegance and performance. These cars are often considered works of art.
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
My collection consists largely of limited production models that will grow in value over time. Some models are so difficult to find that I’ve had to wait years to get my hands on them. Take my Ferrari F50 — I had to buy it in Japan because there weren’t any available in North America!”
Ferrari F50. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
Are there similarities between your passion for luxury cars and your career as a real estate investor?
“Luxury car collecting is a lot like real estate. The market is constantly changing and you need to know how to seize opportunities so that you’re buying at the right time. You need to know everything that can impact pricing. It’s also important to do your due diligence to avoid being duped, which is a real concern.
As in any field, if you’re smart, car collecting can generate good returns over the long term. You need to keep learning, but it is so rewarding.”
What are the current trends in the luxury car market? What drives their value?
“Old cars have shot up in value in recent years because few cars from the ’50s and ’60s are still in mint condition. For example, the Ferrari 250 GTO from the ’60s recently sold for more than US$100 million. There are also all the limited edition models that collectors snap up because they’re so rare.
As in any type of market, supply and demand set the price. More and more people are getting rich these days, meaning there are more buyers with money. But there will always be a finite number of old cars and prices will continue to climb.”
Have you participated in car events with the cars in your collection?
“Last year I entered a Concours d’Élégance at the annual Ferrari Club of America event in Mont-Tremblant with my LaFerrari Aperta, 458 Speciale, 430 Scuderia and F8 Tributo. I also attended the Montreal Auto Show last February with 19 exceptional cars, giving tens of thousands of people the chance to admire them. It was the first time that Ferrari’s five supercars — LaFerrari Aperta, Enzo, F50, F40 and 288 GTO — were shown to the public in Canada.
LaFerrari Aperta. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
Ferrari 458 Speciale. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
Ferrari 430 Scuderia 16M. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
Ferrari 288 GTO. Photo by Olivier Lessard.
Another unforgettable experience was taking some of my cars out on the Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Driving the McLaren Senna on a race track, where it was designed to drive, is definitely my most cherished racing memory.”
What is the centrepiece of your luxury car collection? Is there a model that tops your wish list?
“I consider the LaFerrari Aperta, Ferrari’s most powerful car, to be the centrepiece of my collection. There are only 210 of them! It’s a blast to drive, combining incredible power with smooth handling unmatched by any other supercar. It’s a magnificent car that I think will age well. The Ferrari 250 GTO is top of my wish list. It’s virtually impossible to find, but a man can dream!”
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