SuZan Klassen

Ideal Classic Cars

Florida has more than beaches to see. We drove past this showroom on our way to the beach several times before we decided to check it out.

Ideal Classic Cars is both a dealership and a museum. They do sell their vehicles so the museum is ever changing. They accept some vehicles on trade and consignment. Speak with an associate for details.

Several iconic vehicles were inside their showroom: Scooby’s Mystery Machine, the Batmobile, the Millennium Falcon (it was smaller than I imagined), and the Clampett’s truck complete with the Clampetts (They were looking a little worn–it has been years after all. One might even say, they looked a little stiff.). Plus more for you to see. Do you remember the Monkees? Well, they weren’t there, but their car was.

The Mystery Machine was a 1972 Ford Econoline powered by a 302C1V8 mated to an automatic transmission. Custom Blue, Green and Orange Interior, Disco Lights, Couch, Table, an AM-FM-CD Player and even a Ghost Finder (oh, please!).

Travel Light Humor
The famous automobiles were certainly fun, but the antiques were my favorites.

Under the showroom lights, this beauty beamed in her Bing cherry finish. She was a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe.

Mine weren’t the only eyes this collector’s item captured. An unsuspecting gentleman wandered into the showroom. His eyes gleamed more than Beauty’s paint job when he spotted her.

The salesman recognized that gleam.

I shot a few photos of Beauty while they talked.

“Why don’t you come over here to my desk so we can discuss shipping options?” The salesman patted the victim’s shoulder. Er, I mean, customer’s shoulder.

The customer shook his head and moaned. “If I just hadn’t come in here and seen this.”

I’m only kidding. The salesman was very nice. But the customer really did say that. Made me laugh.

Travel Light Tips – Ideal Classic Cars
• https://www.idealclassiccars.net
• 2224 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, Florida 34293
• (941) 966-1900
• Hours: Closed Sunday, Open 9:00. – 6:00 M-Th; Fri 9:00-5:00; Sat 9:00 – 4:00
• Free to the public to walk through. They only ask that one person from your group answer a quick four-question survey.
• Photography is allowed for personal use only. I was truly bummed to learn that. However, you can view featured inventory, current inventory, and sold inventory on their website.
• Gift Shop also on premises.

Okay guys and gals. You’ve been warned. Stay away if you lack the willpower to say no when it comes to automobiles.

However, if you just have to visit and you do not want to purchase anything I suggest you practice saying over and over to yourself: “No thank you, I’m just looking.” Practice it so much that it becomes an automatic response.

If you’re extremely vulnerable, maybe you should take a stronger person with you, like your spouse or your mother. Or someone else who prefers you don’t purchase anything—like maybe one of your heirs.

By the way, I find it interesting that none of the salesmen/women approached us. Was it our camera? Did it shout tourists? Or was it our clothing? Or did we just look like we didn’t have money? (Which of course we did not.)

How do you think the sales staff knew we were not potential buyers? Tell me your hypothesis in the comments below. Or tell me your best tip to avoid purchasing. Inquiring minds want to know.

Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan

© 2019 SuZan Klassen