Venture capitalist Phillip Sarofim, the owner of some of the most collectible cars in the world, is being honored with a 2021 Impact Award for his support and recognition of the off-road culture and lifestyle.

In 2020, Mr Sarofim's Trousdale Ventures LLC purchased the Meyers Manx company from ORMHOF inductee Bruce Meyers and his wife Winnie, ensuring the future of the company by establishing a solid management team with plans to re-energize the brand. 

Bruce has since passed away, but said at the time of the sale, "It is with great pleasure and happiness that Winnie and I would like to introduce you to the new future of Meyers Manx. Maintaining the old and introducing the new is what lies ahead. We feel that Meyers Manx LLC can and will do just that! With faith in their desire to continue our legacy, the future will be brighter, happier, sunnier than ever, a wonderful rebirth for what we have created!"

Further evidence of Mr Sarofim's commitment to the off-road culture and lifestyle became apparent in 2021, when THE Bronco, ORMHOF inductee Parnelli Jones' beloved 1969 Ford Bronco, Big Oly, went to auction.  The undisclosed buyer paid $1.87 million for the two-time Baja 1000 winning vehicle, one of the most iconic pieces of rolling off-road history.  Speculation was rampant about just who was the buyer, with concerns that Big Oly could be shipped overseas, never to be seen on American soil again.

Not only did time reveal that Mr Sarofim was the Big Oly's new owner, but Big Oly began appearing at events, and being driven, no less! In June of 2021 Big Oly brought mainstream recognition for off-road when it appeared at the Beverly Hills Tour d'Elegance.  In August, both Big Oly and a few Meyers Manx made appearances at Monterey Car Week's 'The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering,' which gets its name from the Quail Lodge & Golf Club where it is held.  The Meyers Manx vehicles were cleverly displayed in a sand trap, followed by a flyover of Mr Sarofim's 1951 Grumman Albatros flying boat with "Meyers Manx" painted on the underside of the wings.

Photo Credit: Thrive Global