CARS
CARS Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of classic Chevrolet restoration parts, offering over 30,000 SKUs across sheetmetal, interiors, and accessories for vehicles from 1951-1987. Founded in 1976, it serves hobbyists and professional restorers nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersRochester, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CARS does
CARS Inc. is a private U.S. manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer specializing in restoration parts for classic Chevrolet vehicles. Founded in 1976 by Chevrolet enthusiasts who experienced firsthand the scarcity of restoration parts, the company initially resold New Old Stock (NOS) parts purchased from dealership parts departments at car swap meets before transitioning into in-house manufacturing. Today, the company operates from a 65,000+ square foot headquarters in Rochester Hills, Michigan, with a second location in Placentia, California, and maintains a catalog of more than 30,000 part numbers spanning 10 classic Chevy vehicle lines covering model years 1951 through 1987.
The company's core products fall into two manufacturing categories: precision sheetmetal body panels (fenders, quarter panels, floor pans, hoods, doors, rocker panels) and hand-sewn interior kits (seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners). These are produced using original gauge steel and authentic materials, with differentiation centered on factory-correct fit and finish for Tri-Five Chevys (1955-1957), Impalas, Camaros, Chevelles, El Caminos, Novas, and Monte Carlos. Beyond restoration parts, CARS Inc. offers disc brake conversion kits and engine dress-up components as add-on lines, plus branded apparel and gift cards as ancillary merchandise.
CARS Inc. runs a multi-channel direct-to-consumer distribution model. Customers can order through the company's e-commerce website, a toll-free phone line (1-800-CARS-Inc), fax, or in person at major U.S. car shows and swap meets held annually. Pricing is unit-based with no recurring subscriptions, ranging from $1.25 for individual fasteners to $2,299 for complete welded floors. The company serves a horizontal segment of classic Chevrolet restorers spanning individual hobbyists performing DIY restorations through professional restoration shops requiring authentic, factory-correct components.
CARS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CARS
- Legal name
- CARS Inc.
- Website
- https://carsinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CARS Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of classic Chevrolet restoration parts, offering over 30,000 SKUs across sheetmetal, interiors, and accessories for vehicles from 1951-1987. Founded in 1976, it serves hobbyists and professional restorers nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CARS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Classic Automotive Restoration Parts
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aftermarket Exterior Accessories Manufacturing (Body Kits/Grilles/Bumpers/Racks/Tow Hooks) (IMACANAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Automotive Exterior Body Panels & Closures Manufacturing (Bumpers/Fenders/Hoods/Doors/Tailgates) (IMACAKAD)
Keywords
Where CARS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CARS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Parts Sales: Primary revenue from selling classic Chevy restoration parts directly to consumers and classic car restorers through e-commerce, phone orders, and event sales. Products range from small fasteners ($1.25) to major body panels ($2,299).
- Apparel and Merchandise: Sale of branded apparel including hats and t-shirts featuring classic Chevy model names (Camaro, Chevelle, El Camino, Nova, Impala).
- Gift Cards: Gift cards sold in denominations of $50, $100, $250, and $500 for use on all products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Restoration Parts - Individual Components |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Interior Kits and Complete Assemblies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Special Order Items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
CARS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CARS Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of restoration parts for classic Chevrolet vehicles (model years 1951-1987). The company produces over 30,000 parts including precision sheetmetal body panels (fenders, quarter panels, floor pans, doors, hoods) and hand-sewn interior kits (seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners), along with disc brake conversion kits, engine dress-up parts, and supporting restoration hardware. Products are sold via the company's e-commerce site, toll-free phone order line, fax, and at car shows and swap meets nationwide.
Product overview
CARS Inc. is a manufacturer of classic Chevrolet restoration parts founded in 1976, offering over 30,000 products across two primary categories: sheetmetal/body panels (fenders, quarter panels, floors, roofs, hoods) and interior kits/components (seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners). The company also provides restoration parts (brake systems, electrical, suspension, weatherstripping), disc brake conversion kits, and engine dress-up components. All products are proudly manufactured in the USA by craftspeople dedicated to classic Chevrolet vehicles, serving models from 1951-1987 including Tri-Five Chevys (1955-1957), 1958-1972 Impalas, 1964-1980 Chevelles/El Caminos, 1963-1979 Novas, 1967-1985 Camaros, and 1970-1972 Monte Carlos.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Classic Chevy Sheetmetal Parts Precision sheetmetal replacement parts including fenders, quarter panels, floors, hoods, doors, and rocker panels manufactured to original factory specifications using original gauge steel, for owners and professional restorers of 1951-1987 classic Chevrolet vehicles.
- Classic Chevy Interior Kits and Components Factory-original interior restoration components including seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners, sun visors, and trunk kits, hand-sewn in the USA using authentic materials, for owners and professional restorers of 1951-1987 classic Chevrolet vehicles.
- Classic Chevy Restoration Parts Comprehensive restoration parts catalog including brake components, electrical systems, fuel systems, suspension parts, weatherstripping, trim pieces, and fasteners for classic Chevrolet vehicles from 1951-1987.
- Disc Brake Conversion Kits Complete front disc brake conversion kits with 7" or 9" boosters, conversion lines, and hose kits, sold as upgrade packages for improved stopping power on classic Chevrolet vehicles.
- Engine Dress-Up Parts Billet aluminum and chrome engine components including valve covers, breathers, PCV valves, dipsticks, and dress-up kits for small block Chevrolet engines, sold as restomod and restoration accessories.
- CARS Inc. Apparel Branded automotive apparel including hats ($12.00-$19.95) and t-shirts ($17.95-$19.95) featuring classic Chevrolet model names such as Chevelle, Impala, El Camino, Camaro, and Nova, sold alongside restoration parts.
- CARS Inc. Gift Cards Gift cards available in $50, $100, $250, and $500 denominations, redeemable across the CARS Inc. catalog of classic Chevy restoration parts and apparel.
Companies that use CARS
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CARS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CARS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CPP (Global Media)flagshipCPP (Classic Performance Parts) is a major presenter and sponsor of the Tri Five Nationals event that CARS Inc. heavily supports. CARS Inc. serves as a key supporting sponsor of the 11th Annual Tri-Five Nationals, taking place August 13-15, 2026 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The partnership includes specialty awards such as 'CARS Inc. Best Modified/Original' and 'CARS Inc Nomad Heritage Pick'.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CARS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LMC Truck: Leading parts specialist for 1947-1987 Chevy and GMC trucks, with deep catalogs of sheetmetal, interior, and restoration parts. Closely comparable to CARS Inc. in target vehicle, product mix, and DTC distribution model.
- Year One: Long-standing classic car restoration parts supplier covering GM, Ford, and Mopar muscle cars. Comparable to CARS Inc. as a manufacturer/distributor serving enthusiast restorers with sheetmetal, interior, and accessory parts.
- Classic Industries: Largest direct-to-consumer classic car restoration parts retailer in the U.S., offering reproduction parts, interiors, and body panels across GM, Ford, and Mopar. Directly comparable as a multi-brand, multi-channel classic restoration parts competitor to CARS Inc.
- Brothers Trucks: Classic Chevy and GMC truck restoration parts retailer with 60,000+ parts and accessories, including sheetmetal, interior, and trim. Competes directly with CARS Inc. on the classic Chevy truck segment.
- Classic Performance Parts (CPP): Manufacturer and distributor of steering, suspension, brake, and chassis components for classic GM vehicles. Direct strategic partner of CARS Inc. through the Tri Five Nationals, and a direct peer in the classic Chevy parts ecosystem.
- Auto Custom Carpets: Manufacturer of replacement automotive carpets and floor mats for classic and custom vehicles. Comparable to CARS Inc. in serving restoration interiors for vintage vehicles via DTC channels.
- PUI Interiors: Specialty manufacturer of classic car interior restoration kits including seat covers, door panels, and headliners. Overlaps with CARS Inc.'s hand-sewn interior product line for classic American vehicles.
- Mac's Antique Auto Parts: Long-established reproduction parts catalog for antique and classic Ford and Chevrolet vehicles. Comparable to CARS Inc. as a multi-decade enthusiast-focused restoration parts supplier.
- Chevs of the 40s: Specialist in 1937-1954 Chevrolet restoration parts, including reproduction sheetmetal, interior, and trim. Overlaps with CARS Inc.'s pre-Tri-Five and early Tri-Five offerings.
Emerging players
- The Right Stuff Detailing: Specialty brake, fuel, and chassis parts manufacturer for classic American vehicles. Smaller and more narrowly focused than CARS Inc., but competes in overlapping product categories like brake and fuel restoration parts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CARS social profiles
Digital presenceCARS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CARS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CARS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CARS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CARS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CARS
What does CARS do?
CARS Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of restoration parts for classic Chevrolet vehicles (model years 1951-1987). The company produces over 30,000 parts including precision sheetmetal body panels (fenders, quarter panels, floor pans, doors, hoods) and hand-sewn interior kits (seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners), along with disc brake conversion kits, engine dress-up parts, and supporting restoration hardware. Products are sold via the company's e-commerce site, toll-free phone order line, fax, and at car shows and swap meets nationwide.
Is CARS a public or private company?
CARS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CARS founded?
CARS was founded in 1976. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CARS based?
CARS is headquartered in Rochester, United States, in the North America region.
How does CARS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Parts Sales are the primary driver. The others are apparel and Merchandise and gift Cards.
Who are CARS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LMC Truck, Year One, Classic Industries, Brothers Trucks, Classic Performance Parts (CPP), Auto Custom Carpets, PUI Interiors, Mac's Antique Auto Parts and Chevs of the 40s. The Right Stuff Detailing is listed as an emerging player.
Does CARS have an API?
No public API is recorded for CARS.
What industry is CARS in?
CARS's product category is Classic Automotive Restoration Parts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACANAI, Aftermarket Exterior Accessories Manufacturing (Body Kits/Grilles/Bumpers/Racks/Tow Hooks), with a secondary code of IMACAKAD, Automotive Exterior Body Panels & Closures Manufacturing (Bumpers/Fenders/Hoods/Doors/Tailgates). Its NAICS code is 3363 and its SIC code is 3714.