Dave's Classics

Dave's Classics is a family-run classic car dealership in Fargo, North Dakota. The business describes itself as a small family operation that began as a hobby more than 35 years ago and has been officially in business since 1998, starting from a single-stall garage at the owner's home where it sold one car at a time. Today it calls itself the premier classic car dealership in Fargo and one of the main classic car dealers in the tri-state area.

Who runs it

The company's own site names Dave, Ashleigh, Caitlin and Ryan as the family behind the business, and the Better Business Bureau lists David Leick as the owner. The BBB file gives a start date of 2000, a couple of years later than the 1998 the company states, so the exact founding year is best treated as approximate. The company says it grew mostly through referrals and word of mouth, and it states that it is licensed, bonded and insured by the state of North Dakota.

How the business works

Dave's Classics is a dealer with its own showroom stock, but it does more than sell what is on the floor. Its About page says the company buys cars ("Yes! We do buy cars!"), works with trade-ins, and offers consignment for owners who would rather have a dealer handle the sale. Specific consignment terms, fees and financing options are not published on the pages we could read, so ask the dealer directly about commission, how long a car is listed and what happens if it does not sell. For a general explanation of the process, see selling a classic on consignment.

What it sells

The inventory leans toward American muscle cars and classic trucks. Cars shown on the company's site and in search results include a 1970 and a 1969 Mustang Mach 1, a 1970 Plymouth GTX and a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, while recently sold examples include a 1974 Plymouth Cuda, a 1970 El Camino SS396 and a 1972 El Camino. Stock changes often, so check the current inventory page rather than relying on any single car mentioned here. The company says it has sold close to 1,000 classics over the years, a figure we could not confirm independently.

Services beyond sales

• Buying cars from owners who want to sell outright.
• Trade-ins and a want list for buyers looking for a particular model.
• Consignment for owners who prefer to keep ownership until the car sells.
• Inspections and minor restoration work, with maintenance when necessary, according to the About page.

The site says it accepts Visa and Mastercard. It does not describe shipping or in-house financing, so buyers from outside the region should ask about delivery and payment options before committing.

Reputation

The BBB shows Dave's Classics with an A+ rating, although the business is not BBB accredited, and it lists no complaints closed in the last three years. On Birdeye the dealer holds an average of 4.7 stars from a few dozen reviews, with reviewers describing a knowledgeable owner and fair pricing. That Birdeye profile has not been claimed by the business, and a few dozen reviews is a small sample, so treat the ratings as one data point. As with any classic purchase, verify the title and VIN, inspect the car in person or through an independent inspector, and get every promise about condition in writing.

Visiting Dave's Classics

The showroom is at 101 40th Street SW in Fargo, North Dakota 58103. The company's site lists hours of Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday by appointment, and closed Sunday. Call (701) 293-9798 before making a long drive for a specific car. If you are comparing options in the region, browse classic cars for sale in North Dakota as well.