Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett, the founding members behind Barrett-Jackson, will be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2026. The pair are being honored for setting the foundation of the collector car auction industry and elevating automotive culture.
Jackson’s path into the automotive world began far from auction blocks and global stages. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, he attended the General Motors Institute in Flint before working as a car salesman and serving with the Pontiac Fire Department. In 1941, he joined the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of chief mechanic while stationed at bases across Mississippi and California. Determined to keep his wife Nellie by his side, Jackson arranged for her to work as an accountant wherever he was posted. Nellie, who shared her husband’s love of classic automobiles, later became known as the “First Lady of Collector Cars.”
After World War II, Jackson owned and operated Russ’s Country Store near Pontiac from 1946 to 1960. That same year, the family relocated to Arizona in search of a warmer climate to help ease Nellie’s arthritis. Once settled in Scottsdale, Russ and Nellie opened a full-service Super Car Wash, securing contracts with local police departments and auto dealerships. They also launched the Classic Carriage House, where they bought, sold, restored and refinished classic automobiles, laying early groundwork for what would become a defining legacy in collector cars.
Tom Barrett’s automotive journey began in Oak Park, Illinois, where his fascination with cars took hold at an early age. Despite his father’s hopes that he would pursue law, Barrett became a car collector by age 19 and later moved to Arizona in 1960 to work as a real estate broker. He leveraged his passion for classic cars to build lasting business relationships with collectors nationwide, quickly earning a reputation as one of the industry’s foremost authorities on vehicle values.
Known globally as the “Grandfather of the Collector Car Industry,” Barrett played a pivotal role in preserving some of the world’s most important automobiles. His pursuit of rare vehicles took him behind the Iron Curtain, bringing home iconic Mercedes, Bugattis, one-off classics and early Grand Prix race cars, many of which now anchor premier private collections. His lifelong commitment to automotive history included decades of support for 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. Barrett also expanded his automotive influence into motorsports, fielding his own Indy car team in 1981 and serving as a sponsor of the Indianapolis 500.
“My father and Tom Barrett shared a belief that cars bring people together and tell powerful stories about craftsmanship and history,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Their passion helped build an industry and a global community.”
That legacy is now being formally recognized. Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett will be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2026, honored for setting the foundation of the collector car auction industry and elevating automotive culture.
The Automotive Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2026 during REVEAL 2026, an exclusive reception held Saturday, Feb. 7, in Naples, Florida, presented by JM Family Enterprises and hosted in partnership with the Naples Automotive Experience.
“Induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed in the global automotive industry, and the Class of 2026 exemplifies the vision, courage and lasting impact that honor represents,” said Sarah Cook, President of the Automotive Hall of Fame. “These inductees have not only shaped the industry in their own time, but have also inspired generations of engineers, leaders and enthusiasts around the world.”
Jon Husby, Chair of the Automotive Hall of Fame Board of Directors and CEO of ADAC, emphasized the rigor of the selection process. “Each member of the Class of 2026 was chosen for their enduring contributions to mobility and their influence on the future of the automotive industry,” Husby said. “We are proud to welcome them into this distinguished global circle.”
The formal Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by MEMA, will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in downtown Detroit at The Department at Hudson’s. The black-tie event will bring together inductees, global automotive leaders, partners and guests for an evening celebrating excellence, legacy and innovation.
Following REVEAL 2026, the announcement officially launches the Automotive Hall of Fame’s Road to Induction, a months-long journey featuring digital storytelling, interviews, partnerships and live activations leading up to the September ceremony.
This article was originally published on Barrett-Jackson.com.
