When “Mr. Bob” of Bob Drayton Inc. wasn’t providing portable toilets to Southampton and its surrounding areas in South Jersey, he and his son were building their collection of dozens of decades-old classic vehicles.
Now, those vintage cars are being auctioned off in a sale that ends Sunday.
When “Mr. Bob” died years ago, his son, Bob Drayton Jr., took over both the car collection and the family’s three-generations-old septic service business, Bob Drayton Inc., also known as Mr. Bob’s Portable Toilets.
The younger Drayton died at age 71 in January 2020 after being diagnosed with cancer, the auction house said. That prompted the family to sell the collection the Draytons built over the years.
Delivering portable toilets to various construction sites, festivals and events throughout New Jersey gave the Draytons an opportunity to spot classic cars in the area and grow the car collection, starting with a 1955 Chevrolet.
The cars that were brought back to life and in good condition were stored inside sheds and garages near the family’s property in Burlington County, the auction site said.
When they weren’t supplying portable toilets or restoring and changing the motors on their newly acquired American classics, the Draytons were at nearby dirt tracks racing the vehicles, the auction house said.
The family will be auctioning off a part of the collection of restored classics, parts of cars and projects online, until Sunday at 7 p.m.
Over 75 vehicles and parts from manufacturers, including Crosley, Willys, Studebaker, Mopar and Chevrolet are available for online bidding through VanDerBrink Auctions. Bidders can also make appointments to view the cars.
Several standout cars in the “Mr. Bob” Drayton Collection are in the auction, including a 1938 Austin Bantam, a 1963 Studebaker Avanti and a 1948 Ford Anglia in Metallic Purple, which was recently sold according to VanDerBrink Auctions.
Another standout is a 1967 Pontiac GTO, which is parked right next to one of Drayton’s favorites, a Pink 1958 Series 62 Cadillac, which is still available, auction officials said.
Though Drayton and his father found enjoyment in collecting all types of American classic cars, they had a particular eye for Chevrolets, a dominating brand in their collection, the auction site said.
A 1966 Chevrolet Impala Convertible, 1959 Chevrolet project, 1949 Chevrolet Deluxe Sedan, and a 1979 Chevrolet Malibu with a modified motor for the track are just a few of the Chevrolets in the auction.
More information about the “Mr. Bob” Drayton Collection can be found on https://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction/15660/
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Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com