History
Clyde and Jack McLaughlin, who had a lot of experience buying cars in the East and shipping them West, established Lubbock Auto Auction in 1946. Located in West Texas about 330 miles west of Dallas, Lubbock is commonly referred to as the "hub of the plains" and is the largest cotton producing area in the United States - a good spot for an auto auction.
In 1951 Lubbock auto dealers prompted Ray Furr to start a second dealer auto auction in Lubbock. But Ray realized that Lubbock, still a small town of only 30,000 people, couldn't support two auctions, so he bought into the Lubbock Auto Auction in 1952. Ray then sold Joe Fralin, an employee of the auction, an interest in the business and Joe became the general manager.
The original auction burned to the ground in 1971. The auction operated under a circus tent while a new "pre-stressed" concrete facility was being built. the new auction had three lanes, modern offices, cafe, and a comfortable lobby. The dealers loved it and the business continued to grow.
Joe Fralin passed away in 1982, and Ray's son Charles bought into the business which they still co-own and operate today. The Furrs' credit the success of the auction to their belief in "honest ethical business practices," which have earned Lubbock Auto Auction a broad dealer membership, nationwide respect with major lease companies, and a growing clientele of local banks and many local, regional, and national financial institutions.
Lubbock is now a metropolis of more than 220,000 people, the home of Texas Tech University, and is a major medical center. And every Thursday, hundreds of dealers can be found at Lubbock Auto Auction, Inc., come "rain or shine" - just as they have for over 50 years.