Retro Rides Florida

Retro Rides Florida is a classic car consignment showroom in Sanford, Florida, just outside the historic downtown and north of Orlando. The business was registered as Retro Rides Florida LLC in January 2023, making it a young company, but it is led by a veteran builder: the company names Mike Chiappone as its founder and owner and says he has more than 50 years of hands-on experience with custom and classic cars. Retro Rides sells consigned vehicles from its Sanford showroom and online, and it also offers restoration work.

The people behind Retro Rides

According to the company's About page, Chiappone built his first custom car, a 1931 Ford coupe, as a teenager in New York, served in Vietnam and later moved into the collector car business. The company credits him with engineering what it calls the first rear-engine Corvette in 1973 and with launching the Studemino conversion kits. The Studemino grafts the bullet nose of an early 1950s Studebaker onto a 1978 to 1987 Chevrolet El Camino, and outside sources also connect Chiappone with the kit. The site lists two other team members: general manager Justin Buckner, who the company says has more than 25 years in automotive sales and service, and painter Jason Griswold, who has 21 years of custom paint experience according to the site.

How the business works

Consignment is the core of the model. On a consignment deal, the owner keeps title to the car while Retro Rides handles the selling. The company describes a six-step process:

• Appraisal and intake, in person or remotely, which the company says is free and carries no obligation.
• Preparation and photography, including cleanup and staging.
• Documentation of the car's history and notable features.
• Showroom and online listings, with the car shown in the Sanford showroom.
• Buyer handling, including screening inquiries, arranging showings and negotiating.
• Sale and title transfer, with the company handling the paperwork.

Retro Rides says sellers pay no upfront fees and are paid once the car sells. Its commission or fee structure is not published, so ask for the terms in writing before signing a consignment agreement. Out-of-state owners are welcome, and the company says it can manage the sale on their behalf. Readers weighing the option can start with our guide to consigning a classic.

What Retro Rides sells

The inventory is small and eclectic, with an emphasis on custom builds and less common makes. In early October 2026 the website listed seven cars for sale and four as sold. The available cars included a 1933 Hupmobile sedan, a 1941 Ford Businessman's Coupe, a 1963 Studebaker Hawk, a 1971 Jeepster Commander, a 1984 Studemino wagon, a 1990 Cadillac Allante and a 1996 Dodge Ram with a custom stepside bed that the listing says was shown at SEMA. Listed prices ranged from $5,000 to $24,000, with the Hupmobile priced on inquiry. Several of the cars are described as project or resto-mod candidates rather than finished show cars.

Every listing on the site carried the same July 2024 date, so the online inventory may not reflect what is on the showroom floor today. Call before visiting about a specific car.

Buying from Retro Rides

The company says it offers a non-expiring limited warranty on eligible classic cars, covering core engine and drivetrain components, at no cost to the buyer or the seller. The full terms are not posted on the site, so ask for the warranty document and read the exclusions before you rely on it. We found no mention of financing, shipping or trade-ins on the Retro Rides website. Buyers should check title and VIN details carefully and arrange an independent inspection, especially for custom or modified vehicles where originality and build quality vary.

Reputation

Retro Rides Florida LLC was listed as active in Florida's corporate registry when we checked. Its BBB profile, opened in 2023 under the car restoration category, shows an A+ rating, no BBB accreditation and no complaints closed in the past three years. Birdeye shows 12 Google reviews averaging 4.7 stars, and reviewers frequently mention Chiappone's knowledge. That is a small sample for a business founded in 2023, so treat it as an early signal rather than a long track record.

Visiting Retro Rides

The showroom is at 918 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771. Its website lists hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and it is closed on Sunday. The phone number is (407) 539-4301, and the company lists [email protected] for consignment inquiries. If you are shopping more widely, you can browse more classic cars in Florida from other sellers.