DriverSource

DriverSource, which brands itself DriverSource Fine Motorcars, is a Houston collector car business on Memorial Drive that combines sales, a service shop, detailing and a large storage facility under one roof. The company says it has been "pursuing and preserving fine automobiles since 2005," and it describes itself as a specialist in the classic European collector market. Its stock leans toward postwar European sports and GT cars, with Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo appearing most often.

Who they are

DriverSource does not publish the names of its founders, but its team page introduces the people who run it day to day. Jose Romero, the sales manager, has been with the company since its first year in 2005. Steve Ott, now general manager, joined in 2007 and started in the service department. Brandon Mason has worked in operations and marketing since 2010, and Juan Martinez handles photography and marketing. Romero has appeared on Sports Car Market's "Buy, Sell, Hold" video series discussing auction results, and the company says he was named to that magazine's "40 Under 40" list in 2017.

The company also publishes its own track record figures: more than $300 million in total transactions, more than 5,000 cars sold or brokered, and over 400 Bring a Trailer listings with a sell-through rate above 90%. These are the company's claims and we have not verified them. It also says it has handled cars from several large private collections, including the sale of a 27-car BMW collection in 2013.

How the business works

DriverSource deals in several ways. It sells cars from its own inventory, displayed in what it calls an "extensive showroom." It buys cars outright, saying it can fund purchases "in a swift and discreet manner." It also takes consignments, offering what it calls "tailored consignment commission structures with flexible rates," and it brokers private sales, including entire collections. For sellers, the company says it handles the paperwork, shipping and logistics.

Inventory moves quickly. The company's auto locator page notes that many cars sell before they appear on its website, and it invites buyers to register what they are looking for. It also groups some offerings into themed releases, such as its annual OKTMOTORFEST collection and its Classici Moderni collection.

What DriverSource sells

At the time of writing the website listed 14 cars for sale. Ferrari made up the largest share, with a 1964 330 GT 2+2, a 1967 330 GTC, a 1970 246 GT Dino and two 360s. The rest included a 1966 Jaguar E-Type, a 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Spider, two Porsche 911s from 1967 and 1980, a 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo, a 2001 BMW Z8, a 1995 BMW M3, a 2006 Aston Martin Vanquish S and a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster. The sold archive goes further upmarket, with a Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, a Porsche 904, a Lancia Stratos, an Aston Martin DB4 and a 1931 Duesenberg Model J.

On the selling side, the company says it is looking for modern classics, vintage European cars, concours restorations, barn finds and exceptional original examples, mainly European with select American makes.

Buying from DriverSource

The company's purchase and transport page lists the partners it works with rather than in-house programs. For financing, it names Premier Financial Services, Woodside Credit and J.J. Best Banc and Co. For shipping, it lists three domestic carriers and several international shippers, which reflects a client base that includes overseas buyers. Its own customer testimonials include a buyer who bought a vintage 911 sight unseen and was satisfied when it arrived. Anyone buying at this level should still arrange an independent inspection and verify the paperwork before committing.

Selling or consigning a car

Owners can submit a car through the company's sell and consignment forms, with photos. Because DriverSource offers both outright purchase and consignment, a seller can compare a quick sale against a potentially higher price on consignment. Commission rates are negotiated rather than published, so it is worth reading up on classic car consignment fees before the conversation.

Service, detailing and The Vault

The service department works on European and American exotic, luxury, muscle, classic and vintage cars. Its list covers routine maintenance, diagnostics, dyno tuning, performance parts and restoration and cosmetic work. Detailing is done by hand, with published packages from $295 to $595.

The storage side, called The Vault, is a purpose-built, three-story, climate-controlled building of nearly 40,000 square feet with video and alarm security, according to the company. Published plans run from $429.95 to $629.95 per month plus tax on six-month or one-year terms, with a required $395 wash and detail for each new car. Motorcycle and short-term storage are available on request.

Reputation and visiting

DriverSource has traded under the same name from the same address for two decades. A review aggregator page showed a 4.7-star average from 76 Google reviews at the time of writing, mostly praising clear communication. One negative review questioned the service history of a car the company had maintained. We did not find a Better Business Bureau profile for the Houston business; a BBB listing under a similar name belongs to an unrelated staffing company in Michigan.

The showroom is at 14750 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079. The company lists sales hours of 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays by appointment, closed Sundays. The sales line is (281) 497-1000. For a wider search, see more Texas classic cars for sale.