CARS

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.

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

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

• Classic Chevy restoration parts
• Sheetmetal body panels
• Automotive interior kits
• Classic car restoration manufacturing
• OEM-replacement automotive parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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).
2. Apparel and Merchandise: Sale of branded apparel including hats and t-shirts featuring classic Chevy model names (Camaro, Chevelle, El Camino, Nova, Impala).
3. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold in denominations of $50, $100, $250, and $500 for use on all products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CPP (Global Media)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2026CPP (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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/carsinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/CARS1nc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CARS