It's Alive Automotive

It's Alive Automotive is a classic car sales, service and restoration shop at 11714 St. Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton, Missouri, about a mile west of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The business is led by owner Jeff Homsher, and its specialty is European sports cars, especially Jaguar XK120, XK140, XK150 and E-Type models and Mercedes-Benz 280SL cars. Unlike a pure sales lot, it combines a dealership with a full restoration facility under one roof.

History

The company's site says Homsher and his team have been involved in the repair and restoration of classic Jaguars for more than fifty years, and describes about 40 years of restoration experience. We could not verify a founding year for the business itself, and directories give different dates, so we do not state one. Its facility page describes more than 70,000 square feet of contiguous space, with a downdraft paint booth, a CNC plasma cutting system and other metal fabrication equipment.

What it sells

The inventory page lists a mix of British and European sports cars with some American cars, including Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey and Morgan models alongside the occasional Chevrolet or Cadillac. The company says it typically keeps over ten XK120, XK140, XK150 and E-Type Jaguars in inventory, and its own listings are priced openly. Recent listings ranged from $23,900 for a 1948 MG TC to six figures for a modified 1953 Jaguar XK120. A separate page lists project cars for buyers who want to finish a build themselves. For more choices in the state, see more classic cars in Missouri.

Consigning and selling a car

It's Alive Automotive buys classic cars, with a focus on European sports cars, and also takes them on consignment. On its consignment page the company states that there are no upfront, storage or monthly fees, and that its commission is 10 percent of the final sale price or $1,000, whichever is greater. Cars are photographed and filmed in its photo studio and listed on its own site and on major collector car marketplaces, including Hemmings, ClassicCars.com and Autotrader Classics, according to the company. Owners comparing offers can read about classic car consignment fees to see how that structure stacks up against other dealers.

Restoration, repair and upgrades

The shop does work from tune-ups and oil changes to rotisserie restorations and rust repair, and its site lists collision repair, paint, vapor blasting, interior restoration and detailing. It also lists upgrade programs such as Tremec five-speed manual conversions, electronic fuel injection, independent rear suspension rebuilds and E-Type floor fabrication. It is an official Missouri vehicle inspection station for safety inspections, though it says it does not perform emissions inspections. The company says customers are welcome to stop in and see the progress on their cars.

Financing

The company's site points buyers to lending partners, including J.J. Best Banc & Co., which it describes as the oldest and largest classic car finance specialist in the country. That is the company's own description, so confirm rates and terms directly with any lender. For out-of-area purchases, ask about shipping and an independent inspection before committing.

Reputation

The Birdeye review directory showed a 4.7 star average from 205 reviews when we checked. Yelp showed a lower average of 3.7 stars from 18 reviews, so scores differ by platform. Search listings also show a Better Business Bureau profile, but we could not open that page, so we do not cite a rating or complaint count.

Visiting

The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday by appointment only, and is closed Sunday, according to its contact page. The sales line is (314) 710-6600. The company says owner Jeff Homsher will meet customers outside regular hours when possible and that it offers airport pickup.