Why You Need To Know Jimmy Ethridge From Streetside Classics

A man standing in a garage surrounded by cars. — Jimmy Ethridge – Inventory Manager,
Streetside Classics – Atlanta.

You need to know Jimmy Ethridge.

Why? Chances are good that you love more than Corvettes.

Studies and surveys tell us you either own, have owned, or are looking for a classic car right now. Some of you have a classic in your garage that you’d like to find a new home for.

Either way, it comes down to finding the best and most efficient way to buy or sell. The days of “For Sale” signs and ads in the local car magazines quit being viable in the ’80s.

This leads us back to why you need to know Jimmy Ethridge.

As the Inventory Manager of Streetside Classics in Atlanta, Jimmy is a valuable go-to resource for getting the straight story on current classic car market conditions.

He’s also a solution for freeing up garage space or finding the classic you’ve always wanted. So, we thought we’d visit Streetside Classics in Lithia Springs and spend some time getting to know Jimmy.

Early Hot Rod Passion

Rod Worley – Editor – Jimmy, when did you first get into cars?

Jimmy Ethridge – Inventory Mgr – Streetside Classics – Rod, I was probably six years old when my Dad’s friend brought over a milk crate full of hot rod magazines from the ’90s.

I’d spend hours thumbing through them, looking at the different performance builds and vibrant flame paint jobs. Also, my Dad had some high-horsepower V8s that intrigued me.

So, from a young age, I developed a passion for all things automotive, which has carried me through to my position today as the Inventory Manager for Streetside Classics here in Atlanta.

Consignment Vs. Auction

Rod Worley – Editor – What is the current state of the consignment vehicle business model? How does it compare with the “Made-For-TV” auction model?

Jimmy Ethridge – Inventory Mgr – Streetside Classics – There is a lot of volume in the market for classic cars right now in terms of buyers.

Consignment is a model that makes a seller transaction much easier and more efficient. I also see the consignment industry continuing to grow upward.

Streetside embodies a “white glove” selling service for any type of buyer.

A significant dynamic exists between auction and retail consignment sales, and they both have their own strengths and weaknesses. But I see consignment operations flourishing.

Free storage, no auction fee, a simple commission structure, a worldwide audience, financing, and shipping available for buyers are some of the resources that we offer to sell your classic. Few of these exist with an auction platform.

Some people I approach about consignment mention televised auctions. But they don’t consider that the timing must be right to get those big, bold numbers.

You must have the right motivated buyer in front of the right car at the exact moment. But what if you’re a seller and everything hasn’t aligned perfectly for you at that one moment?

Recently, I watched a black-on-black Aston Martin convertible sell for $19,000 at a televised auction. But I could have easily sold it for $35,000.

The difference is that Streetside Classics has broad, worldwide marketing. Our website receives thousands of daily visits from all types of buyers.

Whether it be impulse buyers, diehard collectors, or first-time classic car buyers, Streetside can find the right person for the right car at the right price. We have millions of eyes on our vehicles compared to just one week when an auction runs.

Six Locations

Rod Worley – Editor – Can you tell us about Streetside Classics?

Jimmy Ethridge – Inventory Mgr – Streetside Classics – Bob and Donna Mueller started Streetside Classics in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2008.

Currently, we have dealer showrooms in Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, Tampa, Phoenix, and Dallas/Fort Worth. We work hard to provide a state-of-the-art facility that puts your classic in the best possible position for sale.

Our facilities are clean, safe, and staffed by an honest, professional sales team of fellow classic car enthusiasts. Our Atlanta showroom, which is over 78,000 sq ft, is one of the largest out of six Streetside locations.

The facility opened in 2010 and has up to 300 classics for sale, ranging from classic cars to street rods, muscle cars, vintage cars, resto-mods, classic trucks, and the latest exotics or supercars.

We sell 3,000+ vehicles for over $110 million yearly, making Streetside Classics the Nation’s #1 Classic Car dealer.

White-Glove Service

Rod Worley – Editor – Can you shed some light on the consignment process while we’re here?

Jimmy Ethridge – Inventory Mgr – Streetside Classics – It’s a 90-day commitment to leave your car with us at the dealership to be advertised and displayed for sale on over 40 different websites.

Step one is to bring your car to the showroom for an in-person evaluation. Once evaluated, we work with you to help determine your net-to-owner price.

After the net-to-owner price is established, we go to work, and you sign contracts to give Streetside Classics an exclusive right to sell on your behalf for 90 days. It’s a free business model for the seller, and commissions are built into the advertised price.

Streetside Classics advertises your vehicle worldwide for sale through our website and social platforms. We offer a white-glove drop-off service, plus you know your price the day you leave it with us.

No hidden fees, no pressure

Buyers can obtain financing through several third-party sources. Once they have made their purchase, we offer one of the fastest and most economical classic car shipping services worldwide.

Expertise & Selection

After spending time with Jimmy and his team at Streetside Classics in Atlanta, you can see why they’re successful.

The Lithia Springs location has a diverse array of classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, and resto-mods ready for a new home. Every time we visit the showroom, there is a different selection of eye candy to feast on.

So, when you combine expertise and selection, you’ll quickly find several good reasons to know Jimmy Ethridge from Streetside Classics.