For Ramin Salem, cars aren’t just a way to get from place to place—they’re rolling works of art, each with its own story, personality, and connection to his life. A lifelong enthusiast with an eclectic and ever‑growing collection, Ramin approaches each car with curiosity and appreciation, from tiny Fiats to rare Italian exotics. In this interview, he shares how his passion for cars began, what drives his collecting philosophy, and why character matters more to him than perfection.
A Lifelong Love of Cars
Ramin traces his fascination with cars back to childhood, starting with Hot Wheels. “It’s all my parents’ fault,” he jokes. “I’m doing the same thing now with my son, and I think I’ve created a monster because he’s six years old and knows way more than I do.”
Ramin still owns the first car he acquired, a 1995 Mustang GT, a vehicle he calls his “true love.” Over the years he’s added a diverse lineup, including samplings from Fiat, Alfa, Maserati, Nissan Sports, and his latest addition, an Audi RS Q8. His Lamborghini, though stunning and rare, is just one highlight among many.
“I kind of look at them as like 3D art, so I just love them all. Any car, four wheels, whatever the condition is, I love it,” Ramin explains.
Ramin’s Favorites
Ramin holds a deep appreciation for a wide variety of cars, but when pressed for his favorites, he speaks highly of the Italian brands. “I think they kind of get a bad rap because everyone says they’re high maintenance and they’re always in the shop. And honestly, knock on wood, I’ve never had a problem with them. I drive them very hard.”
He does admit that he’s not much of a Porsche fan. “They’re just perfect,” he says. “They’re the absolute best cars in the world, and to me, that’s boring. I don’t want perfection. I want some kind of character with the car. When I get into any of the cars I drive, I know exactly what I’m getting myself into and the temperament of the car.”
Because he owns such a wide variety of vehicles, Ramin’s current favorite may come as a surprise: “Right now my favorite car is a little tiny Fiat because it’s just so fun to drive. It’s funny saying that when you have a Lambo.”
Choosing Napa Vault
As Ramin’s collection grew, he knew it was time to find a better home for his vehicles. He was running out of space to store the cars, and he worried they might attract too much attention. So, in the interest of security and space, he started looking for a new place to house his growing collection.
After using another car condo for a time, Ramin was excited to discover Napa Vault. “Prior to Napa Vault, I was renting a car condo somewhere else. And the space to get into the units and just to drive around was so tight and cramped. It would have been easy to ding a car up or hit a wall. But at Napa Vault, it’s so wide and so open. That was the thing that sealed the deal.”
Other features that impressed Ramin included the pricing and the large, versatile storage space. “There was another place I was looking at. It was offering the same thing, but it was about a quarter of the size,” he says. “Why would I ever pay that much for a little box when I can store at minimum six cars [at Napa Vault]? If I put a lift in there, I could store eight cars. And I have a loft area that I can use as a man cave. So it’s a no-brainer. It’s a great location.”
Community and Convenience
Ramin quickly discovered that Napa Vault isn’t just storage, it’s a community. He has met other collectors through Cars and Coffee events and charity drives. “It’s a good meetup spot.”
Being close to Napa’s wineries was another plus. “My wife loves going there because of the wineries,” Ramin says. “I can go hang out and do what I want to do, and I can go to the wineries afterwards. And we really discovered Napa. We’re there almost every weekend. It’s kind of like a little vacation retreat, even though it’s so close to home. So, it’s perfect.”
Looking Ahead
With plans to add to his collection, Ramin is thinking about how he’ll customize his space further, including installing car lifts to expand capacity. “I started getting really into the lifts recently. I think within the next 60 to 90 days, I’ll probably install a couple of them.”
Ramin has plans to add a Ferrari 458 and a Lotus Emira.
For the Ferrari 458, Ramin is on the hunt for a Pininfarina design with classic (but not boring) colors. “I’d definitely do the red–tan combo,” he says. “That’s what they’re known for.” He also prefers a V8 engine and a manual transmission. “Ferrari got rid of the manuals a while back. They got rid of the partnership with Pininfarina, who designs the cars, and they got rid of the V8 for the most part. They got rid of the core three elements after 2015. And to me, the newer ones that are out there, they’re just missing something. But the older ones? They’re timeless.”
The Lotus also promises to be an interesting addition. “It’s a funny car,” Ramin notes. “I like cars that have interesting topics or stories. It’s the last V6 manual car that they’re going to make. But the funny thing is the engine, the Toyota Camry. How can you not love it?”
The Real Value of a Meaningful Car Collection
When asked what he would like people to know about car collecting, Ramin draws a parallel between cars and art. “It’s definitely not a point A to point B kind of thing,” he says, noting that, as with a work of art, a car’s true value lies in what that car means to the owner. “Each car represents a point in time. Every time I get into one of those cars, I kind of revert to my old self at that time period, so it kind of keeps me young.”
Ready to Start Your Own Story?
If you’re a car collector yourself, dream about your ultimate collection, or have other important items to store, fill out our contact form and explore how Napa Vault can help you protect, showcase, and enjoy your most important items with confidence. With unmatched space, security, and a vibrant community of fellow enthusiasts, it’s the perfect place to take your passion to the next level.
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