Matthews Memory Lane Motors

Matthews Memory Lane Motors is a classic car dealer on SE Holgate Boulevard in southeast Portland, Oregon. The Better Business Bureau lists the business as started in 1984 and names Dale Matthews as president, and the company's own website says it has been in business for more than 40 years under the tagline "A lifetime in buying and selling." It is an independent dealer that buys, sells and trades its own cars rather than a consignment house.

How the business works

Memory Lane Motors operates as a traditional dealer. Its site says it buys, sells and trades classic cars and also offers appraisals. The company does not describe a consignment program, so buyers should assume a car on its lot is dealer-owned inventory, which usually makes the paperwork and the conversation about the car simpler than with a third-party listing.

What it sells

Business directory listings describe the stock as classic cars, antique cars, hot rods, muscle cars and custom cars. Inventory changes as cars sell, and the dealer also advertises some vehicles on eBay Motors. Its site notes that it reserves the right to end an eBay auction early if a car sells locally, a useful detail for anyone bidding online.

Buying from Memory Lane Motors

The company's site does not publish details about financing, shipping or inspection arrangements, so ask about each directly before committing. For out-of-town buyers, buying from a classic car dealer covers the questions worth asking: title status, service records, whether an independent inspection is welcome, and how a deposit is handled.

Appraisals and trades

Two services set a long-running dealer like this apart from a pure sales lot. The company says it takes trades, and it appraises vehicles, which can be useful to owners who need a value opinion for a sale, insurance or an estate. Pricing and terms for either service are not published, so call for specifics.

Reputation

The BBB profile for the business shows it is not BBB accredited and carries no customer reviews on that page, and the bureau's file on the company dates to 2003. That is a neutral record rather than a recommendation in either direction. As with any dealer, judge the specific car: verify the title, check the VIN, and arrange an independent inspection if you cannot see the car yourself. To compare what else is on the market nearby, browse Oregon classic cars for sale.

Visiting Memory Lane Motors

The dealership is at 2608 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97202. The company's site lists hours of Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 to 5:00 Pacific time. The phone number on the site is 503-231-1940 and the listed email is [email protected]. Confirm hours before driving over, since small dealers sometimes close for shows or private appointments.