Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson
ONCE A CAR GUY,
ALWAYS A CAR GUY
It’s a life Craig Jackson was born into and one he embraces to this day: that of a “car guy.” He was only 10 years old when he got involved in his first car restoration: a 1939 American Austin Bantam bought for him by his father Russ. The Bantam won its class at a local car show, and that’s when the “bug first bit him,” as Craig says.
He’d go along on family trips to prestigious collector car events at Pebble Beach and Hershey, Pennsylvania, wheeling his wagon up and down through row upon row of cars, searching for Cadillac and Delahaye parts for his father’s restoration projects. “All my family did was restore cars, show cars, sell cars,” remembers Craig, who has restored more than 30 cars over the years – including a 1947 Delahaye 135M Narval, which received a perfect score of 100 at the 1987 Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic. “To me, restoring cars is like therapy. I just forget about everything else.”
His latest project was renovating and metal-finishing a 1971 Ferrari Daytona. Like his father before him, Craig involved his son Hunter in the process, passing down the family’s passion for automobiles and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Longtime Barrett-Jackson friend Gordon Apker first called and told Craig about the Ferrari back in 2008. Craig bought it sight unseen, but when it arrived it was in a little rougher condition than he anticipated. Nevertheless, Craig knew he had a very special car on his hands.
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 – a grand tourer automobile produced from 1968 to 1973 – is better known by the unofficial name Ferrari Daytona, because of Ferrari’s one-two-three victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona race. The traditional front-engined, rear-drive car was first introduced to the public at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968. The engine, known as the Tipo 251 and developed from the earlier Colombo V12 used in the 275 GTB/4, was a 4.4-liter DOHC V12 with 365cc per cylinder that produced 352hp. It was capable of blasting the car to 174 mph with a 0-60 acceleration of just 5.4 seconds.
The Daytona first reached the United States in 1970. For the American version, slight modifications were made: the compression ratio was reduced to 8.8:1 (from 9.3:1) and the exhaust system was equipped with a large central silencer.
Craig Jackson’s Ferrari Daytona on display at the Ferrari Club of America’s 2016 International Meet in June 2016.
Although it was a Pininfarina design, as with many Ferrari road cars, the 365 GTB/4 was radically different. Although early Daytonas featured fixed headlights behind acrylic glass covers, in 1971 this was abandoned in favor of retractable pop-up twin headlights due to new safety regulations in the U.S., which outlawed headlights behind covers.
Among Ferrari historians, the generally accepted total number of Daytonas produced during the lifespan of the model is 1,406, which includes 156 U.K. right-hand-drive coupes, 122 factory-made Spyders (of which seven are right-hand drive) and 15 competition cars in three series with modified lightweight bodies and in various degrees of engine tune.
Craig’s new purchase was one of those 1,406: a 1971 model, VIN #14015. Although delivered new in silver gray with black leather, this one had been repainted Ferrari red. It was clear a full restoration was in order, not only to address mechanical and body issues, but to bring it back to its original silver with a red and black interior.
A considerable amount of time was spent sourcing NOS American parts, and the car was taken completely down to a raw chassis of bare metal. Like he had done so many times before, Craig did the metal work, teaching Hunter how to paint and block sand. “I did the lead work on it myself,” he said. “I sprayed it. I like doing that because I grew up doing it – I like building things. Projects keep me focused.”
The restoration was complete in time for the Ferrari Club of America’s 2016 International Meet, held June 18-22 in Columbus, Ohio – often referred to as the Ferrari Nationals. Although it was the first time Craig had ever shown the Daytona, it received a platinum award, which requires a score of 97 or above. He was pleased. “My sights were set on a platinum award from the time the restoration process began,” Craig said. “Now I’m fixing the little things the judges found, so hopefully when I take it to Cavallino it will score even better.” One of the world’s most respected Ferrari concours, the Cavallino Classic is held each January at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.
In the meantime, Craig continues to lead the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company with the same attention to detail. “The work I do in the garage spills over into the work I do at the office — it’s all based in a true passion for cars.”
Enjoy the gallery below of Craig’s Ferrari Daytona and a couple of his earlier restorations:
Craig at 10 years old with his first restoration, a 1939 American Austin Bantam.
The Figoni et Falaschi-bodied 1947 Delahaye 135M Narval that Craig restored, earning him a perfect score of 100 at the 1987 Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic.
Craig working on his Ferrari Daytona.
Craig did the lead work on his Daytona himself, and also sprayed the car.
Craig and his son Hunter during the restoration process of the 1971 Ferrari Daytona.
Carolyn, Craig and Hunter Jackson with the Platinum Award received at the Ferrari Club of America’s 2016 International Meet in June 2016.