Michael's Motor Cars

Michael's Motor Cars is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania dealer of classic and collectible cars, with a mix of buying, selling, consignment, storage and rental services. The company describes itself as a small team of enthusiasts who find homes for classic and collectible cars of all kinds. It was founded by Michael Rowen, and the Better Business Bureau lists a start date of May 1, 1999.

Who is behind it

According to the company's team page, Michael Rowen has spent about forty years around cars, including a stint as service manager for a new car dealer and ownership of an independent shop called Great European Motors, which worked on European cars. The site says requests for buying advice led him to turn his car knowledge into a full-time business. It also says he takes part in vintage racing events, including the Mille Miglia in Italy, the Colorado Grand and the Hershey Hill Climb. The team page lists eight people, covering sales and marketing, finance, operations, mechanics, a car specialist and logistics.

What Michael's sells

The company's own wording is "an eclectic rotating inventory." It lists the brass era, British roadsters, German sports cars, American classics and Italian supercars as areas it appreciates, and elsewhere says it specializes in European classic and collectible cars while considering all makes and decades. Recent sold examples on the site include a 1973 BMW 3.0CSi, a 1956 Austin-Healey 100M, a 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo, a 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce, a 1930 Ford Model A pickup and a 1971 Mustang Boss 351. Current listings also include a 1956 Bentley S1 Continental fastback and a 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup. Not everything is vintage, however: the same pages show modern cars such as a 2010 Dodge Viper and a 2023 Dodge Challenger Hellcat, so this is a collector and enthusiast dealer more than a purely classic one.

You can browse more of the state's market through our page of Pennsylvania classic cars for sale.

Selling or consigning a car

Michael's says it buys classic and collectible cars in conditions from award-winning to barn find. Its site says Michael may buy a car outright or sell it for the owner on consignment, either privately or at auction, and the company offers on-site appraisals and handles estate cars and complete collections. Michael's also says it has sold more than 280 cars on Bring a Trailer since 2017, and it is a member of that site's Local Partner Program, offering sellers help with mechanical service, detailing, photography, listing assistance, storage and transportation. Fee terms are not published, so ask for them in writing. For background on how these arrangements usually work, read about selling a classic on consignment.

Storage and rentals

Beyond sales, the company runs an in-house car storage facility, described as climate controlled with an alarm system. Listed options include monthly, seasonal and yearly storage, car covers, trickle charging, exercising, detailing, and pick-up and delivery, with storage rates beginning at $245. Michael's also rents classic cars through a partnership with Hagerty's Driveshare for driving experiences, events and weddings. Posted examples include a 1966 Mustang convertible at $595 for a full day, and chauffeured options are offered as well.

Reputation and public record

The company's BBB profile lists it as not BBB accredited and not rated, with no customer reviews and no complaints closed in the past three years. That is not a negative on its own, but it means there is little independent review data to lean on, and we did not find enough verified star ratings to quote one. For any purchase, ask for the title status and service records, and consider an independent inspection.

Visiting Michael's Motor Cars

The dealership is at 922 North Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603. The company lists hours of Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, and weekends by appointment. The phone number is 717-392-2888. The site says the location is within walking distance of the Lancaster Amtrak station.