Classic Car Dealers in the USA

Find a classic car dealer by state

Filter by what you are looking for, or search for a dealer or a town. Elite and Pro dealers list their inventory on Classic Cars Arena, so you can browse their cars here.

No dealers match that filter yet.

Looking north of the border? See classic car dealers in Canada.

Types of classic car dealers

"Classic car dealer" covers several different businesses, and the difference decides who owns the car, who holds your money and who stands behind the sale. Before you call, it helps to know which kind you are dealing with. If you are on the selling side, our guide to how classic car consignment works covers fees and contracts in detail.

How to choose a classic car dealer

Most bad classic car purchases come down to buying the story instead of checking the car and the seller. These are the checks worth doing before money changes hands. For the full process, from deposits to shipping, read how to buy a classic car from a dealer.

1. 1
   Confirm the business is real.

   A physical address you can find on a map, a working phone line and a history under the same name. A dealer that will only communicate by email or text is a warning sign.

2. 2
   Read the complaints, not just the rating.

   A Better Business Bureau profile and Google or Yelp reviews tell you how a dealer handles problems. Several complaints about the same issue matter more than the star average.

3. 3
   Find out who owns the car.

   Ask whether the car is dealer stock or consigned. On a consigned car, ask who holds your deposit and when the owner is paid.

4. 4
   Ask for the title and the VIN before you pay anything.

   Check that the VIN on the title matches the car and that the name on the title matches the seller or the consignor.

5. 5
   Pay for an independent inspection.

   Use an inspector who does not work for the dealer, especially when you are buying from another state.

6. 6
   Get every promise in writing.

   Condition, included parts, delivery dates and any return or repair commitments belong in the bill of sale.

7. 7
   Pay in a way you can trace.

   Never wire money to a third party or an "escrow service" the seller suggests. Pay the business you are buying from, and confirm bank details by phone.

Scams aimed at classic car buyers are common enough that we keep a separate guide on how to avoid classic car scams.

How to choose a classic car dealer near you

Being close to home is a good place to start, because you can see the car and the dealer in person. It says nothing about quality, though. A dealer ten miles away can be a worse choice than one two states over, so measure each of them against the same few points.

• Inventory or consignment. Ask whether the car is the dealer's own stock or belongs to a consignor. Dealer stock means one seller who answers for the car. A consigned car means the owner sets the lowest price, so ask who holds your deposit and who signs the title.
• How long it has sat. A car that has been listed for many months may be overpriced, or may have a problem the listing leaves out. Ask how long the dealer has had it and why it has not sold.
• Documentation. Ask for a copy of the title, the VIN, service records and any restoration receipts before you travel or pay a deposit, and check that the VIN on the title matches the car.
• Independent inspection. Pay an inspector who does not work for the dealer to go over the car before you commit. For a long-distance purchase, what matters is that the inspector is near the car, not near you.
• Visit or buy remotely. A visit lets you check panel gaps, rust and how the car starts and drives. If distance rules that out, ask for a walk-around video, photos of the underside and engine bay, and a quote for shipping before you decide.
• Reviews. Read what customers say on Google and in enthusiast forums, and look at the complaints on a Better Business Bureau profile. One bad review means little; the same complaint repeated, or a dealer that never replies, tells you more.

Use the location finder or the state list to build a shortlist, then see what classic cars that dealers have listed for sale before you make the first call.

What classic car dealers are selling right now

These numbers come from the 8,165 dealer listings currently live on Classic Cars Arena and update automatically. The median dealer asking price is $24,995. Cars from the 1960s make up the largest share, with 2,054 listings and a median asking price of $32,995. For comparison, the 472 private-seller listings on the site have a median asking price of $20,000.

Most-listed makes at dealers

Where the classic car dealers are

Classic car dealers cluster where collectors are: the Sun Belt states with dry weather and retirees, California, and the Midwest states where much of this industry started. Here is how the dealers in our directory break down.

Classic car dealer FAQ