Kurt Tanner Motorcars

Kurt Tanner Motorcars is a dealer of classic European sports cars based in Santa Ana, in Orange County, California. Its website says the business was established in 1988 and describes how "Kurt Tanner Restorations" evolved into Kurt Tanner Motorcars, with owner Kurt Tanner bringing about 25 years of experience restoring sports cars to the work of assessing and selling them. The company says it has sold more than 1,300 cars.

What the company sells

The focus is British and European sports cars, with Austin-Healey, Triumph, MG, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo among the brands the site lists most prominently, plus occasional Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Lotus models. When we reviewed the for-sale page it showed roughly 20 cars priced from about $10,900 to $69,500, including Austin-Healey 3000s, with several marked sale pending and a 1975 Porsche 911 S noted as coming soon. The company says its range runs from project cars up to concours-quality examples, and it names collectors, museums and enthusiasts as its customers. Inventory moves quickly in this niche, so treat these examples as a snapshot.

How the business works

Kurt Tanner Motorcars is a dealer selling cars it owns, rather than a consignment house for the general public. Its site does show some cars as consigned to Mecum, the auction company: at the time of our review three cars, a 1966 and a 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 and a 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto, were marked as consigned to Mecum Las Vegas. We did not find a published consignment program for outside sellers or any terms and fees, so anyone wanting to sell a car through the company should ask directly. The company also says it sources cars worldwide for clients.

Buying from Kurt Tanner Motorcars

The site presents cars with photographs and video, and its testimonials stress honesty and in-depth knowledge of the cars. We did not find published details on financing, deposits or inspection policies, and shipping is not described on the inventory pages, so ask about each before you commit. Contact is by phone or the form on the site. If you are new to buying from a dealer, our guide to buying a classic car from a dealer covers the questions worth asking about title, history and independent inspections, which matter most with older British cars that have often been restored.

Reputation

The Better Business Bureau gives Kurt Tanner Motorcars an A+ rating, although the company is not BBB accredited, and the profile shows no closed complaints in the last three years. Its Birdeye listing shows 3.9 stars from 32 reviews. Reviewers describe a mix of experiences, with several praising the owner's honesty and expertise and some noting communication or condition questions on particular cars. The BBB profile lists a business start date of 2014, which differs from the 1988 date on the company's own site, so the 1988 figure is best read as the company's own account. As with any dealer, rely on the specific car's documentation and an independent inspection. You can also compare against more classic cars in California.

Visiting Kurt Tanner Motorcars

The business is at 1307-A East St. Gertrude Place, Santa Ana, California 92705, and its phone number is 909-241-1051. No hours are published on its contact page and no public email is listed, so call or use the contact form to set up a visit before you go.