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There are places where time seems to pause—where light glides across chrome and glass as if the air itself remembers. Inside one of Daytona’s most extraordinary private car collections, that sense of reverence is immediate.
More than 40 pristine automobiles, each one restored and maintained to perfection, fill a network of renovated warehouses owned by Charlie Lydecker, founder and CEO of Foundation Risk Partners. The collection’s exact location remains undisclosed, adding to its mystique, but its scale and quality are unlike anything else in the region.
Lydecker’s passion for cars runs deeper than admiration. His spaces feel part museum, part memory—a celebration of craftsmanship and history. Upstairs, a lounge overlooks the gallery floor, complete with a golf simulator, bourbon bar, and walls lined with vintage racing posters and neon signage. It’s a retreat built for reflection and camaraderie, a space where business leaders, colleagues, and friends gather for quiet evenings or small philanthropic events.
Below, the gallery hums with restrained energy. Rows of Mustangs, Corvettes, Porsches, and many other fine automobiles gleam under soft light, each one immaculate. Some are valued in the hundreds of thousands, yet others hold their worth in sentiment alone. The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet Engine is one of Lydecker’s favorites. “It’s a fast car and it’s a driver.”
“They all have a story,” Lydecker says. Each car, he explains, came into his possession in its own way whether through restoration or discovery; each representing years of dedication and detail.
The restorations themselves can span years. Certain paint colors are nearly impossible to source, and specific components often take months of searching across the country to find. Lydecker and his full-time mechanic, Les, take on these challenges with the precision of artisans. Surfaces are stripped, repainted, and rebuilt until the car matches its original factory condition—down to the stitching of the seats and the shine of the emblems.
“The interior matters just as much as what’s under the hood,” Lydecker notes. To him, a car’s cabin is its art form where design becomes personal. “I’m more of a curb appeal guy.” The feel of the leather, the curve of the dashboard, the sound of the engine rumbling; all of it speaks to the driver in a way horsepower alone cannot.
“They’re meant to be driven,” Lydecker says. “They’re all gassed up, insured, and ready to go.”
Among the standouts are a documented 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, an immaculate Porsche valued at over $600,000, and a series of perfectly restored Mustangs. The collection began modestly as one empty warehouse and evolved organically. “I bought the first warehouse and it was empty,” Lydecker recalls. It began with a gas pump from a friend and a suggestion from another to build a bourbon bar, resulting in the birth of this one-of-a-kind collection.
The result is less a warehouse than a living gallery; a reflection of automotive ingenuity, craftsmanship, and nostalgia.
Lydecker occasionally opens the doors for private fundraisers supporting organizations such as the NASCAR Foundation, or for small gatherings among close friends and colleagues. The events carry an atmosphere of exclusivity and generosity, aligning with his belief that success should be shared through experience, not display.
His two daughters and son already have favorite cars within the collection, though Lydecker jokes that they will likely fight over the very special blue Mustang. For now, the collection remains his passion project—a constantly evolving blend of restoration, artistry, and engineering.
Somewhere within our local industrial landscape, behind unmarked doors, this unseen world of beauty and horsepower rests quietly. For those fortunate enough to step inside, it’s more than a display of rare machines; it’s a living reminder that the art of collecting is really the art of remembering.
And for some this holiday season, the perfect holiday gift may not be wrapped beneath a tree, but waiting in a private garage—gleaming beneath soft lights, ready to come alive again.
Inside the Collection: An Exclusive Snapshot
1941 Lincoln — The last model designed purely for beauty before World War II shifted automakers toward wartime production. One of only 1000 made.
Original Blue Mustang — The one that began it all. Lydecker’s first Mustang remains the emotional cornerstone of his lifelong passion.
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet— The powerhouse. Its unmistakable rumble reverberates through the entire space.
1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car — A rare, documented original with deep ties to racing heritage and nostalgia.
1972 Cutlass Convertible — Recently sold, this white-and-red classic embodied relaxed luxury and open-air style.
Austin-Healey “Woody” — A charming standout tucked away, a symbol of artistry and camaraderie in the collection.