Charles S Crail Automobiles

Charles S Crail Automobiles is a Santa Barbara, California classic car dealer and broker run by Charles Crail, who is named on the company's contact page. Directory summaries describe it as dealing in pre-war and post-war European and American classic and exotic cars, and its sold list includes many Bentleys. Visits are by appointment only. It is an independent business and is not affiliated with Classic Cars Arena.

Who they are

Directory summaries based on the business's own biography describe Crail as having more than 50 years in the automobile industry and as someone who brokers, represents and restores fine classic cars. A podcast blurb adds that he ships cars worldwide from his Santa Barbara showroom. No founding year is published on the company site, so we do not give one. The site has a news page whose latest entry dates from December 2021.

What it sells

The current stock is thin. When we read the inventory page it showed one unsold car, a left-hand-drive 1954 Bentley R-Type sport saloon with an automatic transmission and a sunroof. The listing says it is one of 50, and it comes with build sheets and over $40,000 in restoration and service receipts. The company says it sold the car in 2009 to a museum in the Middle East and recently bought it back. Those details are the dealer's own, and no price appeared in the page text we read, so ask for it.

The sold archive is more extensive. It lists AC Bristols, Alfa Romeo 2600 Spiders, Alvis models, Austin-Healey 3000s and dozens of pre-war and post-war Bentleys, including 4 1/2 Litre, Speed 6, 4 1/4 Litre and Mark VI models. A 2019 Airstream trailer is marked as sold on Bring a Trailer.

Buying and selling

The site's Buy or Sell page has a vehicle finder and a seller form that lets owners log the details of a specialist vehicle, after which the company says it will discuss it. No fees, commissions or contract terms are published, so anyone thinking of selling through a broker should ask for them in writing. For what to look for in a consignment agreement, see our consignment guide.

Reputation

We found no BBB profile and no review counts for this business. The sold archive on the dealer's own site is the main public record of its past sales. For high-value cars, a documented history, an independent inspection and clear title paperwork matter more than any dealer reputation. You can also compare cars from other sellers through California classic cars for sale.

Contact

The site lists Santa Barbara, CA 93108, and states that visits are by appointment only. It does not print a street address, and directories show a mailbox-style suite on Coast Village Road, so confirm the meeting place when you call. The telephone number is (805) 568-1934, and the contact page lists [email protected].