Charvet Classic Cars

Charvet Classic Cars LLC is an Oregon-licensed dealer of antique, classic and special interest automobiles, run by owner David Charvet from a shop in Newberg, in the Willamette Valley southwest of Portland. Business summaries date the company to 2012. It sells vehicles from roughly 1900 to 2000 and is best known for its handling of the George Choban collection, a lifetime accumulation of about 60 cars that includes more than 25 Packards.

Who runs it

According to the company's own About page, David Charvet became interested in antique automobiles after seeing the 1965 film "The Great Race." His father, Frank, also owned collector cars, and his first collector car was a 1940 Packard that he says he drove more than 30,000 miles in three years. He and his wife, Heather, who is also a collector, have owned dozens of cars from the 1930s through the 1960s. Charvet also lists a 40-year background in advertising, which he presents as an advantage when marketing a customer's car. He has been interviewed about the business on the "CARS YEAH" podcast.

The George Choban collection

The company says Charvet knew George Choban for nearly 30 years, and that Choban hoped to preserve his cars so a new generation could enjoy them. The collection is being sold one car at a time rather than as a lot. By the company's description it spans 1911 to 1968 and includes Packard, Cadillac, Lincoln, Chrysler, Pierce-Arrow, Buick, Ford and Chevrolet cars along with several orphan makes. Condition varies from finely restored show cars to untouched originals, and some cars have already sold. The Currently Available page, which marks recent arrivals from the collection, also carries cars from other owners, such as a 1929 Packard Victoria Coupe and a 1933 Packard Club Sedan, each with a published price.

How the business works

Charvet works in two modes. It sells cars it holds or manages, and it also helps owners find buyers. For sellers, the company lists a package that includes an appraisal, detailing and pre-sale preparation, professional photography and video, a written description, screening of buyers and help with the transaction. It says it uses online auction services and that the owner keeps the car and title during the whole sale. Fees are based on the selling price, and the company calls them the lowest in the industry, which is its own claim. It states that it is licensed in Oregon as dealer DA4114 and is bonded and insured. Because the car stays with the owner, this is not a conventional consignment lot, but the arrangement is similar enough that sellers may want to read about how classic car consignment works to compare fees.

Other services

• Appraisals: multi-page written appraisals with photographs, which the company says are accepted by estate lawyers and insurers.
• Detailing: cleaning and preparation for sale or show, priced by condition.
• Automotive estates: help with the parts, literature, signs and other automobilia that collectors leave behind.

Buying from Charvet

The company's FAQ welcomes pre-purchase inspections, either by the buyer or by an inspector who specializes in vintage cars. Buyers may use any shipper, and the site lists several unaffiliated companies for financing, insurance and transport as suggestions. Cars are marked subject to prior sale, so call before making plans. As with any specialist dealer, ask for photographs and documentation of restoration work. Prewar cars in particular reward a buyer who has a clear idea of what originality and restoration quality mean for value. Browse more Oregon classic cars for sale to compare asking prices on similar vehicles.

Reputation

We did not find enough verified review data to report a rating. A directory page shows only a handful of reviews, which is too few to be meaningful, and we did not see a BBB profile. The more useful evidence is on the company's own site, which publishes sold cars alongside current stock so visitors can see what has moved.

Visiting and contact

The shop is at 2800 E. 9th St., Suite 100-200, Newberg, Oregon 97132, and the mailing address is PO Box 1626, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035. The company lists 503-309-7729 as its phone and says it is open by appointment only, so call to schedule a visit.