National Muscle Cars

National Muscle Cars is a classic, antique and muscle car dealer in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, a McHenry County town northwest of Chicago. The company describes itself as "your trusted source for Classic, Antique and Muscle Cars since 1995" and says it has more than 40 years of experience. It sells to buyers across the United States and, by its own account, around the world.

How the business works

National Muscle Cars is a traditional dealer rather than a consignment house. Its site says it buys, sells and trades, and its FAQ says it sources cars from private collections, long-term owners, industry contacts, estates and collectors across the country. That means a car on its lot is generally a car the company has bought and now owns, which is a different arrangement from a consignment listing where a private seller still holds the title. The company says every vehicle is selected for quality, collectability and value.

What National Muscle Cars sells

The name is accurate: the stock leans toward American muscle from the 1960s and 1970s. At the time of writing, the site lists about nine cars, including a 1970 Plymouth AAR Barracuda, a 1969 Pontiac Firebird convertible, a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, a 1970 Mustang Mach 1 fastback, a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS with a fuel-injected LT1 restomod build, and a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 455. The lineup also includes some late-model performance cars, such as a 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet and a 2021 Shelby GT500, so it is not strictly a pre-1980 lot.

Prices are not shown on the website. Each listing has a "Make an Offer" form and a "Request More Info" form, and the company also points visitors to its eBay listings through a "bid or buy now" link. The stock turns over, and the site keeps a Sold Gallery of past sales. For a wider look at what is available nearby, see our page of classic cars for sale in Illinois.

Buying from National Muscle Cars

The company's own pages describe a buyer process built for out-of-town customers. It says it welcomes third-party inspections and will coordinate with the inspection provider you choose. Financing is offered for qualified buyers through partners at WoodSide Credit, and the company says it can help arrange nationwide and worldwide transportation through its shipping partners. It also says it regularly handles international purchases, including the paperwork and shipping.

Because prices are not published, the first step is a call or an email. Ask for the asking price, the title status and the VIN, request a walk-around video or extra photos, and consider an independent inspection before you pay. Our guide to buying from a classic car dealer covers the checks worth making with any dealer.

Selling a car to National Muscle Cars

The FAQ says the company is "always interested" in buying high-quality vehicles and asks owners to send details, photos and information. Owners with "something special" are invited to call to discuss the car. The site does not describe a standard consignment program or fee schedule, so anyone thinking of consigning should ask directly what the terms would be.

Reputation

The business is listed on the Better Business Bureau as not accredited, with an A+ rating and no complaints closed in the past three years. The BBB file gives a start date later than the 1995 the company cites and lists an older Huntley address, so the file may reflect a later registration of the business. Birdeye shows an average of 4.2 stars from 21 reviews, and the listing there is unclaimed by the business. As with any dealer, read recent reviews yourself and judge the dealer on the specific car and the paperwork.

Visiting National Muscle Cars

The company's website gives its address as 9176 Trinity Drive, Lake in the Hills, Illinois 60156. Some third-party listings still show a Huntley address, so confirm the location by phone before driving out. The phone number is 847-669-4100 and the sales email is [email protected]. The site does not publish business hours, so call ahead to arrange a viewing.