Page 6 - Experience Magazine Spring 2023
P. 6
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN PALM BEACH
Last year marked Barrett-Jackson’s climate – all the elements you look
highly anticipated return to Palm for in a tropical oasis. Our event in
Beach after a two-year hiatus due Palm Beach mimics this easy-going
to the worldwide social distancing vibe – the pace of the auction leaves
requirements. While our return more time for attendees to get to
to Florida for a live, in-person know each other and for friendships
auction was definitely a cause to form.
for celebration, this year marks The casual atmosphere nevertheless
another noteworthy occasion: It still lends itself to some serious
commemorates 20 years since the bidding on the auction block, with
very first Palm Beach Auction.
the Palm Beach Auction seeing many
Craig Jackson’s historic sales over the years. One of
VIEW my favorites was the Howard Hughes’
1953 Buick Roadmaster (lower right)
FROM THE that belonged to my family and was
incredibly special to my mother
BLOCK Nellie. My brother found the car
in Hollywood, California, where it
With Craig at the helm, the had been stored on blocks for 20
Barrett-Jackson Auction years. Said to be the last car Howard
Company is celebrating over 50
successful years in the collector Hughes ever drove, it crossed the
car hobby. He is an avid car block at the 2005 Barrett-Jackson
collector, award-winning restorer Palm Beach Auction for $1,650,000.
and racing enthusiast.
Since our first year there in 2003 The following year the 1947 Bentley
the Palm Beach Auction has been Mark VI Coachworks By Franay
particularly meaningful to me. Back (center left), also known as the
in the early 1990s my brother Brian Franay Bentley, sold for $1,760,000.
and I had discussed expanding the The Franay Bentley is universally
auctions by adding an East Coast recognized as the most successful
venue, and we were considering and expensive postwar Bentley/Rolls-
Florida or New York. Unbeknownst Royce automobile of all time, with
to me, Brian had scouted the Palm concours results and auction records
Beach area looking for a place to to prove it. “Barrett-Jackson LIVE”
hold the East Coast auction we had was still on the SPEED Channel
envisioned. While going through when the Franay sold; the bidding
Brian’s things after he passed away in became so compelling that night
1995, I found several aerial photos that the television cameras rolled live
of the South Florida Fairgrounds for 49 exciting minutes without a
Brian had taken on a helicopter tour, commercial break as a succession of
the very venue I chose for the Palm diverse vehicles crossed the block.
Beach Auction in 2003 (top right)
and where it remains to this day. Monumental sales have continued
through the years; most recently, a
Choosing Florida was easy - it is 2020 Ford GT Carbon Series sold at
such a beautiful place to spend the 2022 Palm Beach Auction for a
time. The entire state has a relaxed record-breaking $1,540,000.
vacation atmosphere with its palm
trees, crystal-clear waters and a great
6 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2023
