Auto Investors

Auto Investors is a classic car dealer at 634 South Shady Lane in Dothan, in the southeast corner of Alabama. On its own site, the company says its primary business is buying and selling classic automobiles from the 1930s to the 1980s, and that it also builds street rods and restores cars.

Who they are

The site's About page says Auto Investors is owned by Jerald Vinson of Dothan; some directories spell the first name Jearld. The company says it enjoys traveling to auto shows across the United States and that it only buys cars that fit its own taste, often holding on to them for years. In its words, you will not find it buying a car just to flip it for a quick profit. The Better Business Bureau lists a business start date of January 29, 1985, which would make it one of the longer-running classic sellers in the state, though the company's own site gives no founding year.

How the business works

Auto Investors is a dealer that owns its stock rather than a consignment house. The company says it buys vehicles and invites owners who think they have something it would want to call or email. That means a car on the lot is typically one the company bought itself, so ask what it knows about the history, what work has been done, and where any restoration was performed. Our guide to buying a classic car from a dealer covers the questions worth asking.

What they sell

The current inventory page lists a dozen cars, mostly American and mostly from the 1950s through the 1980s, with a couple of earlier ones. It included a 1928 Packard Six, a 1932 Ford pickup, a 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88, a 1955 Chevrolet 210, a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1961 Chevrolet Impala, a 1964 Chevrolet El Camino, a 1965 Ford Mustang, a 1966 Chevrolet Nova and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. Asking prices on the page ran from $34,995 to $149,995. The sold archive runs to more than 30 pages of Chevrolet and Ford trucks and cars, with Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac and Plymouth models also appearing. Stock changes often.

Buying and financing

The company's finance page names J.J. Best Banc and Co. as its financing partner, describes it as a specialist in classic car loans, and links to an online application. The page includes a payment calculator with terms from three to ten years. Treat the calculator as a rough guide only, since the lender sets the actual rate and terms. Ask for the title status and VIN, request a walk-around video if you cannot visit, and consider an independent inspection before sending a deposit.

Builds and restoration

The company says it builds street rods and restores automobiles. The site does not list pricing, timelines or examples of customer work, so anyone planning to commission a build should ask for references, a written estimate and a schedule. For comparison shopping, classic cars for sale around the state are listed on Classic Cars Arena.

Reputation

Auto Investors is not BBB accredited. We did not find a review source with a verified rating that we could cite with confidence, so no star rating or customer comments are quoted here. As with any seller, check the specific car and the paperwork rather than relying on a general reputation.

Visiting Auto Investors

The address on the company's contact page is 634 Shady Lane, Dothan, AL 36301. Call 334-793-1658 or email [email protected]. The company's site does not list opening hours, so call before you drive out. This profile is independent and does not imply any partnership with Classic Cars Arena.