Northshore Sportscars

Northshore Sportscars is a family-run dealer of vintage British and European sports cars in Lake Bluff, Illinois, on the North Shore of Lake County. The business was founded in 1989 by Norbert Bries, and his daughter Michelle Bries Nichols is now its president. It is also an authorized Morgan dealer and service center, which gives its inventory an unusual mix of vintage cars and new Morgans.

History

According to the company's own site, Bries started the business in a 4,500 square foot facility in Highland Park in 1989 and moved to its current 17,000 square foot headquarters in Lake Bluff in early 1995. Its team page lists mechanics, a service manager and two consultants, one of whom, Keith Pickard, has been with the company since 2001. The company also takes part in vintage racing in the Midwest, and says it coordinates an invitational concours and is involved with local car clubs.

How the business works

Northshore Sportscars sells cars from its own stock, backed by an in-house repair shop and storage. The company says it was hand-selected as an authorized Morgan dealer for the Chicago area and the Midwest, and calls itself one of the few authorized Morgan dealers and service centers in the United States. That means some of what it sells is new, factory-built Morgan stock, while the core of the business, in its own description, is a hand-picked selection of vintage British and European sports cars.

What Northshore Sportscars sells

The company lists Alfa Romeo, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan, Lotus, Triumph and Porsche as its brands. At the time of writing, the inventory page showed about twenty cars. Classics included a 1947 MG TC, a 1959 MGA, MGB roadsters and an MGB GT from the late 1960s and 1970, a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000, a 1971 Triumph TR6, a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL and a 1973 De Tomaso Pantera. A 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 was also listed. Morgans made up much of the rest, from a 1958 Plus 4 to a 2026 Plus Four. Prices are shown on the site and change often, so check the current list. Our page of classic cars for sale around the state shows other Illinois listings.

Buying from Northshore Sportscars

The company says it can help buyers with financing through Woodside Credit Collector Car Financing and provide shipping and transport referrals on request. Its repair shop services the makes it sells, and for frame-up restorations and collision repair it says it works with specialist paint, body and upholstery shops. Before you buy any vintage British car, ask for service records, check the title and consider an independent inspection. Our dealer buying guide lists the key points.

Selling or storing a car

A "Classics Wanted" page on the site invites owners who want to sell, consign or upgrade a car from their collection to get in touch. The site does not publish consignment terms, so ask about fees and conditions directly. The company also offers seasonal storage in a temperature-controlled, secure building on its premises, plus detailing and paintless dent repair.

Reputation

The Better Business Bureau lists the business under the name Northshore Import Sportscars as not accredited and not rated, with no complaints closed in the past three years and a business start date of September 1989. We did not find a review platform listing with enough reviews to quote a rating. Its history of more than three decades at one address is a point in its favor, but as with any dealer, judge it on the specific car and the paperwork.

Visiting Northshore Sportscars

The showroom is at 1225 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044. The company lists hours of Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday by appointment only and closed Sunday. The phone number is 847-247-0447 and the email is [email protected]. Calling ahead is sensible if you want to see a particular car.