Gateway Classic Cars Opens Showroom in Dearborn

Gateway Classic Cars, a dealership specializing in rare and mint condition cars, is setting up shop in Dearborn to sell its amazing vehicles to the highest bidder.

The 45,000 square foot showroom is the fourth location for the St. Louis-based company, making it the largest classic car showroom network and museum in the United States.

"We're excited to be coming to Motor City," CEO Sal Akbani said. "The collection of cars in the Detroit area was too big to ignore. With 100,000 people, it has one of the highest concentrations of classic car owners in the country."

Akbani said the company's Dearborn location is due to open July 1, located at 15000 Commerce Drive.

"We're ahead of schedule," he said. "We have already taken in 10 vehicles as of Monday, and we're on track to double that by the end of the week."

The company works primarily as a consigner with a niche market of doctors, lawyers, business clients, celebrities, collectors and sports figures across the world, and helps their customers find the best price for their cars. With showrooms in Chicago, St. Louis, and Louisville, the company offers more than 700 vehicles to view and buy.

While he can't reveal some of the company's clients due to confidentiality agreements, Akbani said Gateway has dealt with a number of Detroit Lions players and local celebrities over the years.

"The market for classic cars is very strong right now," Akbani said. "We're in our 11th straight year of profitability with no interruption. Since 2011, we've seen a change in the market with an upward projection in the years to come."

The company is expected to create $16 million in gross revenue in 2013 and projected to reach $24 million in 2014. In addition to the Dearborn/Detroit location, Akbani said the company is scheduled to add showrooms in 37 nationwide in the next decade.

"We have one more (location) to lay down this year, and then we'll be adding about three new showrooms a year," he said.

The Dearborn location will add four to six jobs to the local community, and has the potential to boost local revenue for the city.

"Our hope is that the showroom will generate foot traffic for our company, as well as local businesses," he said. "Tourists coming through the area might stop and look at the classic cars and shop and eat at Dearborn businesses."

A grand opening for the consignment shop is scheduled for later this fall. For more information, visit http://gatewayclassiccars.com/, or call 800-231-3616.