California Cars

California Cars is a classic car dealership in Simi Valley, California, in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles. The company says it has been operating since 1984 and describes itself as being in business for more than 30 years dealing in European and domestic classic collectible cars. Its own site calls it "the place to go for the most exciting motor cars the world has to offer," and its listings bear that out, mixing American muscle and cruisers with European sports cars.

How the business works

California Cars is mainly a dealer that buys, reconditions and sells classics. Its About page lists four lines of work: purchasing, sales, reconditioning, and "consignment and consulting services." Buyers can therefore expect cars the dealership has taken into stock, while owners who would rather not sell on their own have the option of working with the company on a consignment basis. The company has not published consignment fees or contract terms on its website, so a seller should ask for those in writing before agreeing to anything. For a primer on typical fee structures and the questions worth asking up front, see how classic car consignment works.

What California Cars sells

The stock changes constantly, but the mix is consistent. Cars shown on the company's own site at the time of research included a 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS, a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am with T-tops, a 1963 Ford Thunderbird Sport Roadster, a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner and a 1957 Volkswagen Beetle with oval windows. Its ClassicCars.com dealer page, where it is a Priority Seller with 16 vehicles listed, has also carried a 1972 Chevrolet El Camino SS, a 1963 Porsche 356B and a 1974 De Tomaso Pantera. Asking prices on those listings ran from the high twenties into six figures, which is typical of a dealer working across entry-level classics and rarer imports.

Buying from California Cars

The company's website points to a service department and to financing, though it does not spell out lenders, rates or terms, and it does not mention shipping. Out-of-state buyers should therefore ask directly how delivery, deposits and paperwork are handled before committing. As with any dealer purchase, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent specialist is sensible, particularly on a rare or high-value car. If you want to compare what else is on the market, browse classic cars for sale in California.

Reputation

The Better Business Bureau lists California Cars as not BBB Accredited but carrying an A+ rating, with no complaints closed in the last three years and no alerts on the profile at the time of research. The BBB record gives a start date of January 2009 for the business entry, which differs from the company's own 1984 claim, so 1984 is best read as the dealer's description of its history rather than an independently confirmed date. On Yelp the business shows a rating of roughly 4.3 stars from 29 reviews. Ratings on any single platform are a snapshot, so read recent reviews rather than relying on an average.

Visiting California Cars

The dealership is at 2158 Union Place, Suite C, Simi Valley, California 93065. According to its website, it is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, by appointment on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. The phone number listed on its site is 818-591-1313. Because the stock turns over quickly, call ahead if you are driving in to see a specific car.