HOUSTON: Car central in the big state of Texas
August 19, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
For years people have asked when The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions will touch down in Texas. That time is now. “Enthusiasts across the region, especially Texans, have a deep passion for collector cars,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “There’s an unmistakable car culture in Texas, and we’re looking forward to fueling that passion with our inaugural Houston Auction.”
The Corvettes Ready Car Show, put on by the Corvette Owners Club of Houston, drew plenty of fans this past June in Houston.
Texas is a haven for speed and a global destination for gearheads of all types. Not only is Texas the pickup truck capital of the world, it’s also home to some of the most elite car clubs and racetracks in the country. There are some two dozen clubs to choose from in Houston alone, whether you’re a fan of American muscle (such as four Corvette clubs, one for Mopar enthusiasts and another for Mustang fans), classics (from Model Ts to Corvairs) or imports (including Ferrari, Porsche and MG).
Houstonian racing fans can easily get their fix of speed at the world-class Circuit of the Americas in Austin (a quick 2.5-hour drive away), specially designed to host a selection of the most premiere motorsport events the racing world has to offer. In Beeville, 3 hours southwest of Houston, The Texas Mile was born in 2003. The bi-annual Motorsports Festival, which takes place in March and October, sees amateurs and professionals alike from across the globe test their fastest standing 1-mile speeds in a wide range of vehicles.
ZZ Top frontman and hot rod enthusiast Billy Gibbons with Craig Jackson during one of his visits to a Barrett-Jackson event.
You can’t really talk about car culture in Houston without a mention of “slabs” and “swangas.” Born from the city’s hip-hop culture, the low-slung, candy-colored vintage sedans with iconic elbow wheels, spare tires mounted on the rear bumper and, of course, hip-hop blaring from over-the-top stereo systems have cemented themselves as a special niche in the custom car world.
And it isn’t just hip-hop that contributes to Houston’s vibrant music scene. Country music superstar Clint Black and Queen Bey herself – the one and only Beyoncé – call Houston home, as do all members of “that little ol’ band from Texas,” ZZ Top – Billy Gibbons, the late Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Gibbons, a huge hot rod enthusiast, has paid many a visit to Barrett-Jackson events, and cars have played a prominent role in a number of ZZ Top music videos.
The city of Houston holds a lot to its name. The fourth most populous city in the nation is home to NASA, six major league teams (including the Astros, Texans and Rockets) and the Texas Medical Center (the world’s largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions), and also has the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits (after New York City).
There’s a lot about Houston to celebrate, and when the inaugural Houston Auction kicks off this September (16-18) inside NRG Center, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions will bring the Barrett-Jackson experience to the Lone Star State, Texas-style.