American Dream Machines

American Dream Machines is a classic and muscle car dealer in Des Moines, Iowa, operating from a large former Packard dealership building at 1500 Locust Street. The business buys and sells its own cars rather than taking them on consignment, and its site says the focus is American muscle machines, with a selection of unusual classics mixed in. The Better Business Bureau lists Doug Klein as owner and Julie Klein as co-owner.

History and how the business works

The BBB lists the company as starting in 2000, while the dealer's own FAQ says it opened its doors in 2003 and has sold more than 2,000 cars worldwide. The company says it occupies a 41,000 square foot Packard dealership built in 1929. It describes all of its cars as "bought and sold in house," which means buyers deal with the dealership as the seller of record rather than with a third-party owner. The site also says the company employs a restoration staff of around 14 people and describes its approach as taking good cars and making them better, rather than rescuing rusty field finds.

What American Dream Machines sells

The dealer says it usually has around 80 cars in stock. Recent listings on its site leaned toward Chevrolet, including Chevelle SS396s, Camaros, Corvettes, Blazers and a Suburban, alongside Ford Mustangs, GMC trucks, and a few Cadillac and Jaguar models. Asking prices seen on the homepage ran from the high $50,000s up to $399,900 for a restored 1932 Auburn Speedster. That is a range aimed at serious buyers rather than first project cars, so budget accordingly.

Buying from American Dream Machines

The company is open about the limits of buying a car that is 40 to 60 years old. Its FAQ says the cars are "very old, but very good" and not perfect, and its "Truth About Classic Cars" page tells buyers to expect an old car to drive like one and notes that classics generally do not come with modern warranties. For anyone new to this kind of purchase, buying a classic car from a dealer covers the general questions worth asking before any money moves.

The dealership says the process works like this:

• Vetting the car through detailed phone conversations or an in-person visit. The company says many sight-unseen buyers are happy, but advises particular buyers to inspect in person.
• Deposits of 10% of the list price. A refundable deposit holds a car for up to two weeks, while a non-refundable down payment takes it off the market.
• Payment, which the company says is mostly by wire transfer, with financing also offered through its website.
• Pre-delivery check by its mechanics and a final test drive before the car is shipped, usually in an enclosed trailer.

The company says it can arrange shipping within the United States, or buyers can bring their own carrier. For overseas delivery it recommends hiring a shipper experienced with international moves. Its site also lists two independent central Iowa inspectors who are not paid by the dealer, which is a useful option for out-of-state buyers.

Selling or trading in a classic

American Dream Machines says it buys quality classic cars and takes trade-ins, and its site has a "We Buy Quality Classic Cars" page for owners who want to sell outright. It does not run a consignment program, so an owner would be paid by the dealership rather than waiting for a retail buyer.

Reputation

The BBB gives American Dream Machines an A+ rating, and the business has been BBB Accredited since July 9, 2012. As with any dealer, judge the specific car: ask for photos of the underside, request service records, and consider an independent inspection before buying. More classic cars for sale in Iowa are listed on Classic Cars Arena if you want to compare prices.

Visiting

The showroom is at 1500 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, and the phone number is (515) 245-9100. The dealer lists showroom hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and asks visitors to call ahead to set an appointment so staff can set aside enough time. The mechanic shop is not open to the public.