Page 172 - Experience Magazine Winter 2023

ACROSS THE GENERATIONS

FATHER AND SON CONTINUE THE COLLECTOR CAR HOBBY

“Car people” are the foundation
of Barrett-Jackson, and family
has played an enormous role in
the company since its inception.
Through Barrett-Jackson history, a
passion for collector cars has been
handed down from one generation
to the next, as founding members
Russ and Nellie Jackson passed
along their passion to Barrett-
Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig
Jackson and his brother, Brian. As
a result, it is always exciting for the
Barrett-Jackson team to see families
participate in the auction and watch
as a love for cars is handed down
from one generation to the next.
Sriyantha “SW” Weerasuria (lower
left with his son and Craig) is an
avid car builder, collector, racer
and enthusiast who is passing of building a 1978 Pontiac Trans neck and told him when to bid.
along his love for collector cars to Am Bandit for Shelby to drive once “Thanks to the Jacksons, I bought
his elementary school-aged son, he gets his driver’s license. more than just a car,” SW said. “I
Shelby. Among the ways the two As the most recent benchmark in bought an experience that not many
celebrate their passion for the their collector car journey, they people get to share with their child.
hobby is by participating in the bought a car together at the 2022 After Shelby won the car, he was
Barrett-Jackson Road Tours and Houston Auction. The pair have able to bang the gavel (top right)
bidding on cars at the auctions. both attended a few Barrett-Jackson on another car and we created an
Craig Jackson and his wife Carolyn auctions in the past, but this was experience you just can’t buy.”
Jackson, Vice President of Brand the first time they purchased a Shelby became one of the youngest
Strategy and Chief Philanthropy vehicle together. SW sold his 2006 people to ever bang the gavel at a
Officer, first met SW and Shelby Ford GT in 2012, which he grew Barrett-Jackson event, accompanied
during the 2022 Fall Road Tour to regret, and had been looking to by a smile so wide nobody in the
(top left), where the father and buy another when he saw Barrett- cheering crowd could miss it.
son duo cruised through the Rocky Jackson’s listing for a Centennial Sharing the passion and joy of the
Mountains and Great Plains in White 2006 Ford GT (lower right) collector car hobby is what keeps it
a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 selling with No Reserve in Houston. alive and builds core memories for
convertible. The Jacksons are long When it came time to start bidding, members of the community both
advocates of welcoming young the Jacksons encouraged the pair to young and old. Barrett-Jackson is
people in the collector car hobby join the car on to the block during grateful to provide opportunities
and were excited to learn that the the Saturday prime-time spot. On like this one to families who share
two’s passion for cars goes beyond the stage, SW removed his bidder’s the love for the automotive lifestyle.
driving: They are also in the process badge, placed it around his son’s – Nicole Ellan James

172 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE WINTER 2023