A Touch of Classics

A Touch of Classics is a classic car broker based in Midlothian, Texas, owned and run by Gary Greer. The business started in 2011 and is built around a simple offer printed on its home page: no upfront cost to list a car, and a 5% commission that is due only after the vehicle sells. Rather than buying cars to fill a lot, Greer markets vehicles on behalf of their owners, many of them collectors, and handles the sale from the first listing to the closing paperwork.

How Gary Greer got into classic cars

Greer's own account, published on the company's About page, starts in 1972, when he bought his first car: a 1966 Rambler Rebel for $500. The story then moves to 2011, the year that set the business in motion. That year he traded a 1996 Volvo wagon for an abandoned 1966 Mustang coupe and spent about ten weeks getting it running and back in shape.

Mustangs also led to the partnership that gave the company its start. Through a 1967 Mustang listed on Craigslist, Greer met collector Ken Valentine. Valentine asked Greer to market his cars, and A Touch of Classics grew out of that arrangement in 2011. Valentine still features on the company's site, and some customer reviews thank "Gary and Ken" together.

A broker, not a dealer lot

The company describes itself as an online listing service for buying, selling or trading classic cars. Sellers keep ownership while Greer does the work: according to the company's site, he manages the whole process, from listing and marketing through negotiation and closing. The fee structure is the main selling point. There is nothing to pay up front, and the 5% commission is payable only once the sale has closed and the seller has been paid.

For owners weighing this route against a private sale or a traditional dealer, our guide to selling a classic on consignment covers the questions to ask about fees, timing and who holds the car while it is for sale.

Brokering is not the only way the company does business. One review on its site describes Greer buying a 1941 Pontiac coupe directly from its owner and paying quickly, so an outright sale may be possible in some cases. The company has also said that much of its stock belongs to collector friends rather than to the business itself, which means buyers should ask where a particular car is kept before planning to see it.

What A Touch of Classics sells

The inventory is not tied to one era. The search filter on the company's site runs from 1929 to 2012, covering prewar classics through to more recent collector cars. Featured cars on the home page at the time of research included a 1973 De Tomaso Pantera at $130,000 and a 1946 Cadillac at $16,000. Its dealer listings on ClassicCars.com have included a 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible, a 1956 Thunderbird, a 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and a 1929 Chrysler roadster.

Customer reviews also mention sales of older and rarer cars, among them a 1936 Pierce and a 1933 Lincoln KB. Published figures for the size of the inventory differ from one source to another, so the current listings are the best guide to what is actually available. Shoppers comparing options across the state can also browse classic cars for sale in Texas.

Buying through A Touch of Classics

Because the company works as a broker, a buyer is usually dealing with Greer as the go-between for the car's owner. Listings come with photos and video, which gives out-of-state buyers a useful first look. Financing and inspection services are not described on the site, and its FAQ page was marked "Coming Soon" at the time of research, so buyers should plan to arrange both on their own.

For delivery, the company says it can recommend transport companies for local and out-of-state moves. Reviews describe Greer working with buyers' chosen shippers and handling sales contracts, including for buyers outside the United States. One review comes from a collector in the Czech Republic who bought a 1933 Lincoln and a 1936 Pierce through the business.

As with any long-distance purchase, ask for the VIN and title details, request extra photos or video of anything unclear, and book an independent inspection before sending money.

Selling your classic through A Touch of Classics

For sellers, the offer is the zero-upfront, 5% on sale arrangement described above. Greer photographs and films the car and lists it on the company's website, and the business also has a dealer account on ClassicCars.com. Reviews on its site describe a 1966 Impala SS that sold almost at once after Greer photographed and filmed it, and a repeat seller who reported better results through A Touch of Classics than through Hemmings and Autotrader. Another review describes an international sale in which Greer handled the listing, the contract, the transport and the pickup.

Reputation and track record

A Touch of Classics has traded under the same name since 2011. Its reviews page carries more than a dozen five-star reviews, which describe Greer as honest and fair and credit him with taking care of the details of a sale. Those reviews are hosted by the company itself. We did not find a Better Business Bureau profile, press coverage, or dealer pages on Hemmings or Autotrader Classics, so independent verification is limited. The company does have a dealer listing on ClassicCars.com, and its site links to a YouTube channel and a Facebook page where buyers can see more of its cars.

Contacting A Touch of Classics

The business is based in Midlothian, Texas 76065. It does not list a street address or business hours on its site, so contact Greer before planning to see a car in person. The company lists 972-935-1660 as its phone number and [email protected] as its email address.