Richard Branson’s BMW & the Ultimate 80s/90s Dream Garage at LandBeasts
Somewhere in East London sits an Aladdin’s cave for car enthusiasts. On the outside, LandBeasts looks like a workshop where you might pop in to get your supercar serviced. Step inside, though, and you’re transported straight into the golden era of 80s and 90s dream cars.
Guided by the ever-charming Kay – who not only knows the cars inside out but has been part of the LandBeasts story since 2012 – I had the chance to nose around Adnan’s private collection. And what a collection it is.
Let’s start with the headliner: Richard Branson’s very own BMW M6 (E24). Yes, the Virgin boss’s shark-nosed grand tourer still wears its original period carphone. Considering Branson built his empire on phones, there’s something beautifully poetic about this. And yes – the thought did cross my mind: could we swab the handset and clone a billionaire?
But that’s just the start. This collection reads like a greatest hits of automotive poster cars, film icons and cult classics.
- Lamborghini Countach (Candy Apple Red) – the definitive supercar, immortalised in Cannonball Run.
- Ferrari Testarossa – all excess, sleek styling and Miami Vice vibes.
- Porsche 911 Targa (G-Body) – whale tail, wide arches and the purest 911 silhouette.
- Porsche 928 – the sci-fi wedge that stole scenes in Risky Business and Scarface.
- Toyota Supra A60 (Celica Supra) – complete with a digital dash and pop-up headlights. Pure 1980s JDM cool.
- Toyota Supra MkIV (UK car) – the Fast & Furious generation’s halo car, even if this one’s an auto.
- Honda NSX (manual) – the Senna-blessed Japanese supercar that humbled Ferrari.
- Mitsubishi Starion – ultra-rare right-hand drive survivor that fans worldwide beg to buy.
- Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth – DTM legend, beautifully re-trimmed in period-correct upholstery.
- Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth – number 439 of just 500, one of the hottest fast Fords ever built.
- Ford Mustang Fastback (restomod) – tastefully rebuilt with a monster sound system, because why not?
- Audi 200 Turbo (5T) – rare luxo-saloon with matching cushions in the cabin. Yes, cushions.
- Nissan Bluebird Coupe – rescued from the roadside and restored to rarity status.
- Mazda RX-8 “Project Hulk” – freshly resprayed, modified and up for grabs.
- MGB Roadster – a starter classic for those dipping their toes into vintage motoring.
Every car here tells a story. The Countach was bought after a cinema screening of Cannonball Run. The Mustang was built from scratch before LandBeasts even existed. The Starion has fans in America pleading for it. And then there’s the Bluebird Coupe, once abandoned, now reborn with painstaking care.
What makes LandBeasts special isn’t just the cars. It’s the atmosphere. This isn’t some sterile white-glove collection where you tiptoe around; it’s a working garage, full of life, passion and the smell of petrol fumes. Kay summed it up best: “You walk in wearing perfume, you leave smelling like petrol. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
For me, this collection is proof that classics are more than machines. They’re memories, cultural touchstones, and emotional triggers. They take us back to the posters on our bedroom walls, the movies we re-watched a hundred times, the cars we dreamt of owning.
And the best part? At LandBeasts, they’re not just museum pieces. Many of them get driven. Loudly. Proudly. As they should.
If you’re a car enthusiast in London – or frankly anywhere – keep an eye on LandBeasts’ socials. You’ll find a mix of JDM unicorns, Euro legends, American muscle and, occasionally, something totally unexpected.
👉 Which of these icons would make it into your dream garage? Let me know in the comments below – I’ll be watching!
https://www.instagram.com/landbeasts/
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