Route 40 Classics

Route 40 Classics is a family-owned classic car shop at 6008 Auburn Boulevard in Citrus Heights, California, a suburb northeast of Sacramento. It opened to the public in late 2019 and describes itself as a full service classic car shop that handles repairs, consignment, sales and restoration under one roof.

History and the building

The business is owned by Rich Newey, who grew up in Fair Oaks and who, according to a February 2020 report in the Citrus Heights Sentinel, spent 35 years as a professional auto auctioneer before deciding the time was right to start a shop built around classic cars. He leased the site in late spring 2019 and opened the doors that fall.

The shop occupies a 19,380 square foot corrugated metal building that dates to 1933, when it was built for the Angelo Orsi Olive Oil Company. The building had sat vacant after an antique store closed there in 2018. The name refers to the original "Route 40" designation of Auburn Boulevard, before Interstate 80 was built. At the time of the Sentinel report the shop had three employees, including Newey's brother Tim, who handles a small line of t-shirts, die-cast models and automotive merchandise.

How the business works

Route 40 Classics sits between a repair shop and a dealership. Some online directories file it under auto repair, while others list it as a used car dealer, which fits a business that does both. Its listings on dealer directories describe buying, selling, trading and consignment of classic and vintage American vehicles. It is not clear from public sources how the business splits its time between service work and sales, so buyers who want a specific car should ask what is on the floor and what is consigned.

What it sells

Inventory is small and changes often. A dealer directory listing reviewed during research showed about seven vehicles, including a 1968 Chevrolet El Camino, a 1972 Corvette with T-tops, a 1964 Oldsmobile F-85 convertible, a 1950 Chevrolet Special DeLuxe and prewar Fords from 1934 and 1936. Other public listings have mentioned a 1957 Austin-Healey 100/6. The mix leans toward American cars from the 1930s through the 1970s, with an occasional import or oddity, and asking prices on that directory ran from about $26,500 to $64,500 for the cars. Treat those numbers as a snapshot, since stock turns over.

Repairs and restoration

The shop's service side covers light restorations, project completions, body and paint work, electrical troubleshooting and suspension work. It also lists air bag lowering kits, disc brake conversions, aftermarket air conditioning, detailing and parts installation, and arranges upholstery, glass, custom exhaust, pin-striping and tire and wheel work through local partners. For an owner with a half-finished garage project, that range is a large part of the appeal.

Buying and consigning

Buyers should follow the usual steps for any classic purchase: ask for the title status and VIN, request extra photos or a walk-around video, and arrange an independent inspection if the car is far away. Owners who want to sell can ask about selling a classic on consignment. The commission, fees and length of agreement were not published in the sources found, so get terms in writing before leaving a car.

Reputation

Route 40 Classics has a rating of 4.7 stars from 33 reviews on the Birdeye reviews platform. Directory summaries mention personable service and well-kept cars, and reviewers quoted on search listings praise the owner's professionalism in consignment and sales deals. As with any dealer, judge the specific car and paperwork. More cars across the state are listed on pages such as California classic cars for sale.

Visiting

The shop is at 6008 Auburn Boulevard, Citrus Heights, CA 95621. Directories list weekday daytime hours, but these were not confirmed on the company's own site, so call ahead before driving out to see a particular car.