They don't make them like Red McCombs any more. Billy Joe (B.J. or Red, as he known) is a legend -- not just in automotive retail -- but in the history of American business.

When you have a few minutes, check out Brad Wernle's profile of MCombs in Automotive News. Wernle is one of the top reporters in automotive and does an awesome job of capturing McCombs' story.

He recounts how McCombs turned a single used car lot into a business empire that included:

• Red McCombs Automotive Family: the sixth largest dealer group in 1997 with revenues of $1.7 billion (McCombs divested several of his stores since then, but now is looking to add dealerships); the group now has six dealerships selling Ford, Hyundai, Toyota and Scion.
• Clear Channel Communications: a global media and entertainment company founded in 1972 by McCombs and business partner Lowry Mays. It was sold in 2008 to private equity groups Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners for more than $20 billion.
• The San Antonio Spurs NBA team which he founded in 1973; Denver Nuggets NBA team which he purchased in 1983 and the Minnesota Vikings NFL team (he has since sold the teams).
• Automotive technolgy firms: HomeNet (sold to AutoTrader.com in December 2010); currently owns 30% of Clickmotive, a dealership website firm.
• McCombs Energy: an energy and oil producer.
• More than $200 million in philanthropy and charities.
• Real estate holdings and ranches.