2007 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction Becomes a Family Affair
Palm Beach, Fla. – April 3, 2007 - A growing number of families were among the thousands of automotive enthusiasts from across the country that gathered at the 5th Annual Barrett-Jackson Auction on the grounds of the South Florida Expo Center in Palm Beach, Fla. Of the almost 65,000 people that attended the five day automotive lifestyle event, many were multi-generational families.
“Americans are passing on their passion for car collecting from generation to generation,” said Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. “One of the most fascinating trends we noticed this year was the amazing number of families who have experienced our automotive lifestyle events in person and on SPEED, and decided to attend our 2007 Palm Beach auction. They’re enjoying this hobby together and much of their lives revolve around collector car activities.”
For the Horton family from Waterford, Mich., the event has helped fuse a special relationship between three generations. After attending two Scottsdale auctions and purchasing seven Barrett-Jackson cars in January, Laurence Horton decided to bring his son, Scott, and grandson, Devon, to the 2007 Palm Beach event, where they bought four vehicles.
“I became a car “freak” at the age of 16, known for driving the fastest car in Detroit. When I got married at 21, we had 5 children and then I started my company, so the car hobby took a back seat,” said Laurence Horton, also known affectionately as “Grumpy”. “Barrett-Jackson has helped me to rekindle my passion and share it with two of the most important people in my life, my son Scott and grandson Devon. We have a great collection of cars and we enjoy driving every single one of them.”
Larry and Scott decided to share their love of classic cars with Devon this year in Palm Beach, who is very proud of “his” car, which the family bought during Thursday’s auction. The 1955 custom Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hardtop is a perfect match for another classic Chevy already in the Hortons’ garage.
“We bought the Bel Air to match body lines and lights of our 1956 Chevy Nomad,” said nine-year-old Devon, who already has encyclopedic knowledge of classic cars. These cars are definitely the best in our collection.”
The highlight of young Devon’s week was when Craig Jackson, CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, handed him a Barrett-Jackson 35th Anniversary coffee table book signed by Carroll Shelby, the executive team at Barrett-Jackson and all of the auctioneers including the infamous auctioneer duo, “Spanky & Amy”.
The Horton’s were not always able to spend quality time attending automotive events and collecting cars together. Larry started one of the big three plastic injection molding companies in 1973. Scott has worked at the company since he was 15 and became the president in 1990, when Larry retired. Working grueling hours together for so many years was not easy on their relationship, but car collecting has given them a bond and a chance to involve Devon in the hobby.
“This week in Palm Beach has given us time to not only choose from the world’s best collector cars, but share this experience as a family,” added Scott. “My father and I worked together for many years and found it hard to spend valuable time together. We began collecting four years ago and the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company has made us a stronger family ever since. We will definitely be back.”
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale and Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
Media Contact
Scott Black sblack@timepiecepr.com or (214) 520-3430 ext. 303