A millionaire businessman known for his extensive car collection has listed his 420-acre California desert compound — with vehicles included — for $15 million.
The property includes four residential buildings but nobody is asking about that detail, said listing agent Dug Mitchell of Mitchell Realty. They’re all asking about the half-mile racetrack, numerous tractors, 13 sand cars, an aluminum 1957 Chevy, three RVs, a custom 1958 Chevy school bus, water trucks and side-by-side off-road utility vehicles. Many of the cars included in the listing were custom built, with some having up to 750 horsepower, said Mitchell.
The Winterhaven property also has direct access to the Imperial Sand Dunes, or Glamis Dunes, the country’s largest dunes that are open to off-highway vehicles. The popular site near the U.S.-Mexico border is a popular site for dune buggy aficionados and thrill seekers.
“It’s not something you can replicate,” said Mitchell. “Once it’s sold, you can’t find another one.”
The compound is fairly remote with just a neighboring diner and RV park, surrounded by dunes and a handful of campgrounds. It's located 25 miles away from the closest town of Yuma, Arizona. The nearest big city, San Diego, is 150 miles west.
The majority of listings and sales in Winterhaven are for land, with just one land sale occurring in the past year. The only other residential listing currently is a $55,000 mobile home.
According to public records, the seller is Arizona-based residential construction company founder Ron Pratte, who is best known for his car collecting.
Pratte made headlines in 2015 when he sold 141 collector vehicles from his personal collection; many were the last surviving models, and others were one of just two. Some notable standouts include a 1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake owned by the iconic car’s designer, Carroll Shelby, one of the two existing 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special concept cars, and the actual Plymouth Fury used in John Carpenter’s movie “Christine” based on the Stephen King novel.
Craig Jackson, CEO of the luxury car auction company that handled the sales, Barrett-Jackson, said previously in a statement that it was arguably one of the most significant collections he’s offered. The transportation of Pratte’s cars from Chandler, Arizona, to Scottsdale, Arizona, was deemed the “Parade of Pratte.”
Garages, tools and a hangar
Pratte built the compound in 2007, and it’s never been for sale until now.
Mitchell said the listing is a great value with the vehicles alone, each located in one of six garages offering thousands of square feet. The property also includes a hangar for the owner or guests to store a helicopter or airplane.
The price includes the fully furnished 8,144-square-foot main house, a separate bungalow with two one-bedroom and one-bathroom units, a 1,223-square-foot casita, and a 2,314-square-foot home for the property caretaker.
A 3,240-square-foot building deemed the “man cave" stores car parts, various supplies, car lifts, and includes a bedroom and bathroom. A 13,700-square-foot container building is used for storing more vehicles and tools.
“It’s like a mini AutoZone,” said Mitchell.
The main home has five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a 2,100-square-foot arcade room with eight racing simulation games. The bungalow includes a 2,432-square-foot garage filled with child-sized side-by-sides and four-wheelers.
The grounds also has two wells producing 350 gallons per minute — a high flow rate for a desert property. Several staff members manage the grounds, keeping the sand watered to minimize dust.
Mitchell noted that the home has garnered several inquiries and showings since listing this month. It would be ideal for anyone passionate about cars, or even a business for corporate retreats, he added.