Collector car boom brings dealer expansion
If you know anything about collector cars, you know that auction prices have been going through the roof for fine quality original or restored collector cars, special interest cars and hot rods. Some people attribute this to the large number of affluent “baby boomers,” who are seeking to relive their youthful automotive dreams. Others see the collectibles market as a safe investment opportunity which will allow you the play with your toys while seeing them appreciate. It’s the old “supply and demand” curves from economics 101. The supply is shrinking and the demand is growing daily for desirable collector cars.
If you can only find that rare car that you always wanted, you had better buy it now before you are priced out of the market.
Another factor in the equation is that today, financing and insurance are easily obtained for these vehicles. Many people are taping into the increased value of their home or other real estate to pay cash for the collectible car of their dreams.
Rohrer’s Select Cars is a good example of a reputable dealer of collectible cars that has recently expanded to meet the market demand for quality collector cars. Don Rohrer entered the used car business some forty years ago when he bought 50 cars for $10,000 and started his own business in downtown Spokane, Washington. From the very beginning Don had an eye for the exceptional cars that would appeal to young people such as the airmen coming to town from Fairchild Air Force Base.
A few years later he purchased his own building on North Division street, added a glass showroom, and became widely known as the source in this area for collector cars. Don’s interests covered the automotive spectrum from pristine Model T Fords to late model Corvettes and foreign sports cars. Although his building was limited in space, the rolling stock was always meticulously detailed and worth a special trip just to gawk through the windows.
Today, Rohrer’s Select Cars has acquired a large downtown building that years ago housed the Stoddard-Wendle Ford Dealership. The building has been extensively remodeled into a huge 13,000 sq. ft. showroom. Don’s rolling stock of street rods, classic cars, collector cars and automobile memorabilia will leave your head spinning and adrenaline pumping. Everything in the store is for sale, including the vintage advertising displays, period signage and hard-to-find accessories.
The business is owned by Don and his daughter Nicole Morse. Over the past thirty years or so, I and my brother have purchase from and sold several cars to Don. We know that his business is one that has the highest integrity and reputation for fair dealing.Today, a major part of Rohrer’s Select Car business comes from the World Wide Web. Their web site http://www.rohrersselectcars.com is the basis for serving the national market. But, if 
you are lucky enough to live in the Spokane area, you know that Don Rohrer’ showroom is the place to see a free car show, trade stories and get up to date on what’s happening in the collector car market.
1934 Ford Roadster with a 327 4 speed manual, Hurst shifter, 3 gauge dash, bucket seats with working rumble seat, black with black interior, and chrome running gear. $49,999.00
1958 Chevrolet Impala. Two Door Hard Top, 348 Cubic Inch Motor, Power Glide Automatic Transmission, Power Steering, All Original Interior, New Arctic White Paint, (Base Coat Clear Coat) 1st Year Impala, 1st Year For 348, Only 63,000 Original Miles on the Car. $35,500.00
1935 Chevy 3 Window Coupe, 235 Straight 6, 350 Turbo Automatic, Aluminum Radiator, Dual Exhaust, Nova Rear End, Front Disc Brakes, Chrome Wire Wheels. $30,900.00
1989 Cadillac Allante, 4.5 Liter V-8, Automatic Transmission, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats, Power Mirrors,AM/FM Cassette Player, Tilt Steering Wheel, Cruise, Air Conditioning, Manual Black Top, Original 95,000 Miles, Car Drives and Runs Wonderful. $14,900.00
At this time, this beautiful little 34 Ford Three Window Coupe is not for sale.
1967 Chevrolet Nova Original California Car, Butter Nut Yellow, rebuilt 327 Engine,202 Fuelie Heads. Edelbrock Performer Manifold. GM 4 bbl. Q-Jet Carb., electronic ignition, bowtie rams horn manifolds with flowmaster dual exhaust, turbo 350 transmission with shift kit, 3:55 Posi rears, power steering, front disc brakes, Chrome Rally Wheels. Original RUST FREE doors, Quarters, and Floor Boards. Cowl Induction Hood with new interior and headliner, and an am/fm cd player. $25,900.00
1964 Chrysler 300K. Absolutely beautiful! The color of this beauty is rose mist with white interior. Has a 413 motor and 727 transmission. $29,995
1927 Model T RoadsterCute Little Roadster, Burgundy with Tan Interior, 1933 Ford Model C Engine, 210 Cubic Inch Displacement, 150 horse Power, 32 Ford Chassis, 39 Transmission with 1940 Gears, Riley F Heads with Price Camshaft, Interchangable 32 Ford Grill and Hood. $35,000
1965 Cadillac DeVille Convertible, Original 69,000 miles, with Tan leather interior, telescopic tilt wheel, power steering, power brakes, original top with original real glass rear window. $19,995.00
1932 Ford 5 Window Coupe, Oldsmobile 4 Speed Hydro-Automatic, Tilt Steering Wheel, Steel Body, Glass Fenders, Wire Wheels. $39,900.00
1977 Lincoln Mark V, 82,000 miles. This is an Arizona car, a little old lady from Scottsdale, one owner. 460 automatic, loaded. $8,995.00
1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup, 350/350 Automatic, Front disc brakes, Tilt Wheel, Dual Exhaust, Wood Bed, 5 Point Weld Racing Wheels. $39,900.00
1962 Studebaker Hawk, Gran Turismo, 289 4bbl, Automatic Transmission, 62,000 Original Miles, Power Steering, White Interior, Straight Body, Excellent Paint. Looks and drives like new! $19,900.00
1957 Oldsmobile Super 88, Two Door Hard Top, 371 Cubic Inches Displacement, 9.5 to 1 Compression Ratio, 277 Horsepower, 400 Torque, Hydramatic, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Tri-power not installed, 74,000 miles, Beautiful Mirror Finished White Paint, New Interior, All Front End Chrome Is New, Runs Strong, and Drives Wonderful. $29,900.00
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe, 4.9 liter V8, gray leather interior, sun roof, digital odometer, Air, Cruise, power everything; windows, seats, etc., Vogue tires with after market Cadillac chrome wheels, and a very unique yet beautiful Canyon yellow paint. $9,995.00
1968 Pontiac GTO. Has a 400 automatic, power steering and dual gate shifter. Has nice bright blue paint with original white interior. This is a second owner car. Very nice! $15,900
1950 Mercury CustomBeautifully done custom of the 50′s. Frenched headlights, 305 V-8 engine, power steering, yellow and white Naugahyde interior, Pontiac rear end, Power disc brakes, 2 1/2" Chopped Carson top, Power tilt steering, 350 Auto Transmission, Electric Doors and Windows, Desoto grill-bumper. Beautiful Car! $48,000
1994 Pontiac Trans Am, 5.7 liter V-8 LT-1, 4L60-E automatic transmission, PW, PDL, AM-FM CD Player, red with gray leather interior, with only 44,000 miles this car is loaded. As of 2/3/04 American Racing Torque Thrust Wheels have been added to this car. 2 16×7 and 2 16×8, with new rubbers 2 Kumho front at 205/60R16 and 2 Kumho rear at 245/50R16 $14,900.00
Rohrer’s Select Cars featured above is a good example of one of many emerging collector car dealerships that are serving our national market. A well established and reputable dealer such as this is a good choice if you are looking to find that dream car on the world wide web of the internet.
WDM
Hello,
I stumbled on your site by chance. I must tell you I share several of the same enthusiasims. I liked the article on “what is your collector car worth”, or “what defines a collector car”. Your Right On ! ! !
I had such a hard time finding what is now my “64″ Thunderbird.
I checked all the Price Guides, Ebay, Trader Rags…. I finally figured out” It’s only worth what someone is willing to pay you for it ” PERIOD…
My 64 was in a barn in Elkhardt Indiana. The owner at that time had the car only 6 months and wanted $6000 for the car. He said it was ” Pink” and had an actual appraisal for $6500. I watched the Ebay bidding and no one had bid on the car. So the day after this past New Years day in freezing rain my family and I drove 300 miles to a farm in Indiana. I was able to get the car for $4750. The car was all original but had been repainted. I had all new suspension, exhaust, brakes, freeze plugs, intake gasket and a lot of small maintenance things done to make her driveable. After we got her home I found out from the VIN # that the color is actually ” Samoan Coral” and was only offered in 64 and is very rare. Would you believe there were only about 1% of the 96 thousand or so produced according to some T-bird experts.
Now the car is not perfect. Its a 3 at best but she is beautifull. Everywhere we go people want to know ” Is that the original color” ? Or ” What is that color called”. I’m not really sure what she’s worth right now with 118 K miles but I know she’s a ” Classic” she’s ” Collectable” and this is the first car in my collection and she’s not for sale.
Keep up the good work. I know what you meant about Hemmings. I try and take a lot of the collector car hobby with a grain of salt. I dont think there are any real secrets to collecting. Most of it comes down to some common sense and doing a little research. Low production numbers with a small supply seems to be a good place to start. I bought my first car in 1976 for a $175 dollars with 97K miles on her. A 1967 Mercury Comet Capri. I drove that car for 2 years in High School. I miss that car even though she wasnt much at the time. These are rolling pieces of art and we are so lucky to be able to own them. I love seeing the smiles my car brings to peoples faces. Is’nt this a wonderfull hobby that you can bring joy to other people just by showing them your car or sharing a story?
Take Care and keep up the writing
Paul
Is the blue ’35 Chevy still available for sale?
Two Questions: 1. Do you have more digital shots of the 35 Chevy coupe to review? 2. Do you ever come across any Indy Cars from the 60s and 70s ?
Don
Good visiting with you the other day. Your picture, on the website, looks quite dapper. Have ask around, however have not found out who owns the 77 Oldsmobile in St.John.
Wife likes the 59 Cadillac. A good year, we both made it out of high school that year. Some place I have a picture of the 34 ford pickup and my 55 Chevy together. Only problem is that I am in the picture. Thanks again for the tour.
Irv Bailey
do you have a “58 chev 2 door hardtop?
looking for a ’58 chev 2 door hardtop
Can you tell me what a 1950 chev car is worth? It has less then 50,ooo miles and has been garaged kept and is in mint cond. thank you very much
I have a red & white ’58 Bel Air 4 door hard-top with a 283 and just 72,000 miles on it that I’m considering selling. I’ve had it for 24 years and it has been stored for many of those. Very restorable condition. If you have any interest email me at toddco@hotmail.com
Dear Rohrer,
I also decided to start mr own business.
Please help me out to buy a few of your cars and put it in my comming show room.
1. 1962 studebaker
2. 1957 oldsmobile
3. 1937 ford roadster
4. and any convertables
i hope you will give me your bottom prices so i also will make some money
thank you
joseph 310-877-7076
Are these cars for sale? If so do you still have the 57 olds? If so where are you located?
John
How much will you take for your 57 Oldsmobile white 2-door hardtop?
Best regards,
Barry Felcher
Michigan City, Indiana.
I am interested in the 1957 Olds, where are you located
I HAVE A 57 OLDS SUPER 88 WITH THE J-2 OPTION. THE CAR WAS MY FATHERS WHO RECENTLY PAST AWAY. THE CAR IS LOCATED IN COOSBAY OREGON AND MUST BE SOLD. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR ONES LIKE IT TO PUT A FAIR PRICE ON IT. THIS CAR WAS PROFESIONALY RESTORED IN CANADA (NOT SURE BY WHO) MY FATHER PURCHASED IT IN PORTLAND AND IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN 3,000 MILES SINCE COMPLETED. I CAME ACROSS YOUR SITE WHEN I FOUND THE 57 OLDS. LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE QUITE A FEW INTERESTED PEOPLE. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE VALUE OF THE CAR AND HAD FIGURED AROUND 30,000. IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE IN THE BALLPARK. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU FROM THE PHOTOS OF YOUR 57 OLDS I WOULD HAVE TO SAY MY FATHERS IS PROBRABLY MUCH NICER. I CAN SEND YOU PHOTO’S IN CASE YOU NEED ANOTHER ONE. IT IS TRULY A SHOW CAR. I DONT NOW IF I CAN SEND IMAGES TO YOUR WEB SITE OR NOT. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE BUYER MAYBE WE CAN WORK A DEAL IF YOU SEND ME A BUYER OR JUST WANT TO BUY THE CAR AND RESELL IT. YOU JUST NEED TO SEE THIS CAR!
i like to offer 14000.00 for the studebaker
HI, HAVE BEEN ON LINE LOOKING FOR 34 3WINDOW FOR HOTROD PROJECT AND YOUR BURGUNDY 34 CAUGHT MY EYE! IS IT STILL AROUND? OR DO YOU KNOW WHERE THERE ARE ANY BODIES? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS, TOM
looking for an unrestored 63-64 R2 Studebaker Hawk. do you know of such a car.
Could you please tell me the color of your 34 3 window coupe.
It is a great car
Thanks in advance for your hela.
I have 1967 to 1977 at least of R&T and Car and Driver magazines.
I just happen to be surfin the web and found your great site.
Two thoughts.
Are those magazines desireable?
2. I paint, see my site. I do auto’s as well. Is there a way I can market my auto paintings thru you.
hi i have a 1957 oldsmobile 88 rocket coupe hard top california pink all original even the paint and id like you to see him i can send you pics of the car and you tell me if youre interested. and have tires with the original white stripes
Didn’t know how long ago this was last updated. Do you still have the beautiful blue 35 Chevy coupe? Do you have anymore pictures of it than just its front end? Just wondering.