Preston Byron Henn (January 20, 1931 – April 30, 2017) was an American entrepreneur who founded the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop in 1963.

Business career Henn opened what became the Swap Shop as a drive-in movie theater in 1963. He shortly thereafter decided to add a flea market. Through shrewd business practices and somewhat extravagant promotion, Henn was able to grow the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop into one of the region's most popular tourist attractions. Throughout its drive-in theater ownership, he owned three drive-in theaters in the state of Florida.Tobia, P.J. Crazy like a Henn, Broward/Palm Beach New Times, November 24, 2005, retrieved August 16, 2009 In 2005, Henn began making unusual decisions such as firing the facility's trademark circus act, and it was rumored he was selling the facility. Later that year, he was involved in a violent altercation with a vendor he was trying to evict. Police used a taser to subdue him. Henn was subsequently sent to a mental hospital for again attempting to assault the vendor.Benn, Evan S. Swap Shop owner Preston Henn involuntarily hospitalized again, Miami Herald, retrieved August 16, 2009

Racing career In 1983, Henn, along with co-drivers A. J. Foyt, Bob Wollek, and Claude Ballot-Lena drove his Porsche 935 to victory in the 24 Hours of Daytona.Chong, Rod. Turbo Terrors: The Porsche 935 Pt. 2, Speedhunters, September 22, 2008, retrieved August 17, 2009 The following year Henn's Porsche 956 driven by John Paul Jr. and Jean Rondeau placed second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two laps behind the winning 956 of Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig. Henn, driving with Michel Ferté and Edgar Dören, failed to finish in their Porsche 962 after ignition failure while on lap 247 (Pescarolo/Ludwig covered 360 laps). Driving in the IMSA GTP class, Henn's brand new 962 was the first time the new model was raced at Le Mans. There was another Porsche 962 in the Group C class run for British team John Fitzpatrick Racing, though it was a converted 956, making the white Swap Shop Porsche the first true 962 to race at Le Mans.

Henn himself made five starts at Le Mans with a best finish of tenth in 1983. His Porsche 962 driven by Foyt and Wollek won the 1985 12 Hours of Sebring.

Henn also participated in offshore powerboat racing. He inexplicably ceased all racing activities a few years later and subsequently refused to discuss his racing career.Rowe, Sean. The Sultan of Swap , Miami New Times, November 5, 1998, retrieved August 16, 2009 Despite this, Henn still maintained an extensive exotic car collection both in his private estate and on display at the Swap ShopPreston Henn's car collection , Exotic Car Collections, retrieved August 16, 2009 and was a participant of the Ferrari FXX program.https://www.facebook.com/search/?q=fxx&init=quick#/note.php?note_id=51838100619 His 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale could become the first car to sell for more than $100 million.

Personal life and death In 2013, Henn was the first person to buy a Gulfstream G650.

In 2016, Henn filed suit against Ferrari for damages in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division. His complaint alleges his reputation as a Ferrari collector has been damaged as he was not selected by Ferrari to purchase a LaFerrari Aperta.

Henn died April 30, 2017, at his home, survived by his wife of over 60 years, Betty.Wallman, Brittany. Swap Shop entrepreneur Preston Henn dies at 86, Sun Sentinel, May 1, 2017, Retrieved May 1, 2017 He was 86.

Racing record 24 Hours of Daytona results Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps 1979 North American Racing Team Jean-Pierre Delaunay Cyril Grandet Ferrari 512BB-LM IMSA GTX 54 DNF DNF 1980 North American Racing Team Jean-Pierre Delaunay Ferrari 512BB-LM IMSA 0 DNS DNS 1981 Thunderbird Swap Shop Mike Chandler Marcel Mignot Porsche 935-K3/80 IMSA GTX 45 DNF DNF 1982 North American Racing Team T-Bird Swap Shop Randy Lanier Denis Morin Ferrari 512BB-LM IMSA GTX 43 DNF DNF 1983 John Fitzpatrick Racing T-Bird Swap Shop Claude Ballot-Léna Jean-Louis Schlesser Porsche 956 Gr. C 328 10th 10th 1984 Henn's T-Bird Swap Shop Edgar Dören Michel Ferté Porsche 962 IMSA GTP 247 DNF DNF

References