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Tom Barrett and his son driving the 1914 Isotta Fraschini Tipo KM4 Gunboat Speedster that sold at the 1990 Barrett-Jackson Auction for $1,026,000.

 

The badge that was placed on every car that Tom sold.

By all accounts, Tom Barrett was a larger-than-life character who possessed both the showmanship of P.T. Barnum and the smooth-talking sales skills of Don Draper. His love of cars took him to all corners of the globe in search of the world’s most fabulous vehicles, initially either for his own or another enthusiast’s collection – and later, of course, to showcase on the Barrett-Jackson auction block. Tom was referred to as both “Grandfather of the Collector Car Industry” and “The Greatest Name in Classic Cars” – but no matter the title, it is fair to say some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world passed through his hands at one time or another.

Even as a young boy growing up in Oak Park, Illinois, Tom had a passion for the automobile; it is said he sold his first car for a profit when he was a mere 12 years old, was one of the youngest successful managers of a car lot in his hometown and was officially considered a car collector at the age of 19. His father, a federal judge in Chicago, did not approve of Tom’s fascination with horsepower, feeling it was not professional, and unsuccessfully tried to persuade his son to become a lawyer.

Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson

In 1960, Tom moved his family to Arizona, where he initially dabbled in real estate, using his enjoyment of classic cars in helping establish real estate business contacts with other collectors throughout the country. He soon realized his passion for collecting cars surpassed his interest in real estate, however, and threw his heart and soul into the collector car industry.

That fateful meeting with Russ Jackson in 1963 over a newspaper advertisement may not have resulted in a car sale for Tom, but it did forever change his future. When the two men embarked on their new venture to stage a benefit car show, which later evolved into the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, Tom found the perfect avenue to blend his expert showmanship with his love for collector cars.

For an average of three weeks a month for many years, he traveled the globe to bring the world’s greatest automobiles to the Barrett-Jackson auction block. Tom’s love of the deal resulted in him even going behind the Iron Curtain to chase down many incredible cars, especially those that had been in Germany during World War II.

“He saved all those cars,” said Craig Jackson. “I remember him bringing them home and driving those huge-displacement Mercedes, Bugattis, one-off classics and even early Grand Prix racing cars down the street where he lived in Arizona.

Tom Barrett on the auction block in the 1980s

Those cars have become the crown jewels of some of the most famous and coveted private collections around the world.”

Tom also used his vast connections in the collector car world to bring buyers for those many cars to Barrett-Jackson. And when it was auction time, Tom took his charisma and unmistakable presence to the auction block, where he held court, clearly the “life of the party” and always ready with an easy smile or a heartfelt laugh.

Over the years, Tom Barrett contributed generously to the Classic Car Club of America, which in 1989 named a building at the Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Thomas W. Barrett III Barn in his honor.

Tom’s enjoyment of all things automotive also developed into a passion for fast cars. He was a regular fixture at the Indianapolis 500 every year from 1949 through the mid 1990s, which eventually resulted in him having his own team in 1981 and becoming a sponsor of the renowned event. He also contributed generously to the Classic Car Club of America, which in 1989 named a building at the Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Thomas W. Barrett III Barn in his honor.

After his longtime partner and friend Russ Jackson passed away in 1993, Tom retired, turning the operation of the auction over to Jackson’s sons, Brian and Craig. A heart attack took Tom’s life in 2004 at the age of 75, and the collector car world mourned a man who was known as honest, honorable and bigger than life. As his family remembered at the time of his death, Tom Barrett was equally comfortable chatting with “the common man” as he was being the honored guest of “presidents, kings, princes, sultans and maharajas.”

His legacy is in the heart of every car that crosses the Barrett-Jackson auction block.

 

Tom Barrett (left) at the Fiesta de los Autos Elegantes in the

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: A LASTING LEGACY: Tom Barrett, Showman and Collector Car Hunter Extraordinaire
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/a-lasting-legacy-tom-barrett-showman-and-collector-car-hunter-extraordinaire/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2021 21:43:02 +0000

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

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Motor

From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

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Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik EditionRead More

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

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