Shade's Classic Cars

Shade's Classic Cars is a family-owned dealership in Hastings, Nebraska that specializes in Chevrolet Corvairs. The company calls itself the only working Chevrolet Corvair dealership in the country, which is its own claim, though local news coverage has repeated it. Owner Chris Shade, a former music teacher according to a local news report, says Corvairs have been part of his life since childhood. The business sells project cars through show-quality restorations, and it shares a building with the Corvair Museum of America.

From used cars to Corvairs

Shade ran a general used-car and repair business before changing course. News coverage says he converted it into a Corvair-only operation in 2016. The Better Business Bureau lists a business called Shade's Classic Corner Cars as operating since July 2003, which fits that earlier history. In 2017, a local report says, Shade bought seven Corvairs, 22 engines and a large parts collection from a seller in Kearney, which gave the dealership a larger base of cars and parts to draw on.

What it sells

The inventory is overwhelmingly 1960s Corvairs, from rough project cars to restored show cars. The company's website and news reports have described roughly 80 vehicles in stock, while a ClassicCars.com listing showed about 39 at the time of research, with a few non-Corvair cars mixed in. Shade has said that visitors often remark that the showroom feels like a museum, and he answers that it is simply the inventory. Prices vary widely with condition, so check current listings for specifics.

Corvairs are a distinctive buy. The rear-engine, air-cooled cars were nicknamed the "poor man's Porsche" for their four-wheel independent suspension, and they were also the subject of safety criticism in the 1960s. Anyone new to the model will want to learn which generation suits them before buying.

Restoration and service

Beyond sales, the company's site lists restoration, repair and maintenance, including a paint booth. A local news report named restoration technician Mitchell Calvert, who holds a classic car restoration degree from McPherson College. The site says each vehicle is inspected, serviced and cleaned. The company does not describe financing, shipping or trade-in programs on its website, so ask about those before you commit. News coverage says customers come from around the world, which suggests it handles distant buyers, but the terms are not published.

Buying from Shade's

Any long-distance classic purchase benefits from care: ask for the title status, request detailed photos, and consider an independent inspection. Our advice on buying from a classic car dealer walks through the usual checks. With Corvairs, ask specifically about the engine, the heater system, rust in the body and floors, and what restoration records exist.

The Corvair Museum of America

The nonprofit Corvair Museum of America was incorporated in 2022 and currently shares space with the dealership. Local coverage says it displays more than 50 Corvairs, including a 1966 Yenko Stinger, and that a capital campaign is under way for a new 18,000 square foot building next door. The company's website also links to Corv-AIR BnB, a vacation rental.

Reputation

The BBB shows an A+ rating and no complaints closed in the last three years, though the business is not accredited and has no customer reviews on file. That profile uses an older address. We did not find star ratings we could verify on other platforms. The dealership did receive favorable local television coverage in 2025.

Visiting

The dealership is at 1016 S Burlington Ave, Hastings, Nebraska 68901. The website lists Chris at 402-460-7097 for calls or texts and a second line at 402-463-5577. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM, with Saturday by appointment and Sunday closed. To see what else is on the market nearby, browse classic cars for sale around the state.