The Ground Floor: Cedar Rapids lot hopes to lure buyers longing for earlier times

When Doug Schoon approached Curt Eilers about some commercial space Eilers had for lease that Schoon was considering for a late-model car dealership, Eilers replied, “We need to talk.”

Eilers owned the building that had housed Duffy's Collectible Cars - owned by Eilers's stepfather, Duffy Schamberger. With high visibility off Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids, the building had been vacant for about a year and a half, and Eilers wanted to see another classic car business move in.

“The building was custom designed for automobile sales,” Eilers said. “It was a natural to pursue that line of business.”

The two men decided it would be in their best interests to combine forces. They hashed out the details over two or three meetings and opened Classic Enterprises, a classic and specialty car and truck dealership, on June 1.

“We're reaching a broader audience by offering both older classic cars and newer fun-type vehicles,” Schoon said. “Our plan is to stock a mix, about half and half.”

Schamberger is helping them source cars for the new business. Many collectibles come from California and Arizona via Schamberger's connections there.

“Acquisition of the vehicles is part of the art,” Eilers said. “We are very selective. We look at tons of cars and pick only the best.”

Current inventory ranges from a 1931 Ford Model A to a 2009 MINI Cooper S.

Recognizing that people who buy classic cars tend to be nostalgic for days gone by, Eilers and Schoon have added free-play pinball machines and pipe-in music with an automotive theme.

“It makes a fun environment for people who come down looking for a fun weekend car,” Eilers said.

• Owner: Curt Eilers
• General manager: Doug Schoon
• Company: Classic Enterprises
• Address: 250 Classic Car Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids
• Phone: (319) 366-7600
• Website: www.classicenterprises.net

Know a company in business less than a year that would be good for “The Ground Floor”? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova, michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net.