The Rise and Fall of America’s Largest Replica Car Manufacturer

During the late 20th century, Classic Motor Carriages (CMC) became one of the most recognizable names in the American kit-car and replica-car industry. Operating primarily out of Miami, Florida, the company built and sold thousands of fiberglass-bodied vehicles designed to replicate famous automobiles from the 1920s and 1930s.

At its peak in the 1980s, Classic Motor Carriages was widely considered the largest manufacturer of automotive replicas in the United States, producing hundreds of kits annually and generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue. However, despite its rapid growth and ambitious marketing campaigns, the company’s success was overshadowed by legal controversies and consumer complaints that eventually led to its closure in the mid-1990s.

This article explores the history, leadership, operations, products, and legacy of Classic Motor Carriages.

Origins of Classic Motor Carriages (1973–1978)

Classic Motor Carriages traces its roots back to 1973, when a small automotive replica company called Tiffany Motor Cars began operating in the Miami area.

The business was run by entrepreneur Charlie Massing, who produced early replica automobiles with a small staff of about 13 employees.

The company focused on kit cars, vehicles sold as partially assembled kits that buyers could build themselves using mechanical components from donor cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle or Ford Pinto. This format allowed enthusiasts to build vehicles that resembled classic luxury automobiles for a fraction of the cost.

One of the earliest products was the Gazelle, a replica inspired by 1920s Mercedes-Benz roadsters. The Gazelle would eventually become one of the company’s most recognizable models.

Despite its promising concept, Tiffany Motor Cars remained a relatively small company until it was purchased by a new owner who dramatically changed its direction.

George Levin and the Expansion Era

The company’s transformation began in 1978, when it was purchased by Florida businessman George G. Levin.

Levin was a wealthy entrepreneur based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida who saw major commercial potential in the replica-car market. Under his leadership, the company was reorganized and rebranded as Classic Motor Carriages, Inc.

Levin’s Background

George Levin was primarily known as a businessman and automotive enthusiast. While he did not come from a traditional automobile manufacturing background, he had experience in business development and marketing.

Levin recognized that replica cars appealed to a wide audience of hobbyists and collectors who wanted vintage-style vehicles without the cost of maintaining original antiques.

His strategy was simple:

Aggressive marketing
Large-scale kit production
Affordable pricing

These elements would help transform Classic Motor Carriages into a major player in the kit-car industry.

Rapid Growth in the 1980s

After Levin acquired the company, he launched an aggressive marketing campaign across the United States.

Advertisements appeared in:

Automotive magazines
Airport displays
Trade shows
Billboard advertising

According to reports, the company’s marketing was so widespread that its vehicles were displayed in airport terminals across the country, drawing attention from travelers nationwide.

The strategy worked.

Within three years of Levin taking control, company revenue increased dramatically.

1978 revenue: about $500,000 annually
Early 1980s revenue: approximately $12 million annually
Mid-1980s revenue: around $20 million annually

At its peak, Classic Motor Carriages sold hundreds of vehicle kits per year and employed a large workforce at its Miami facility.

Factory Operations

Classic Motor Carriages operated out of a massive 160,000-square-foot manufacturing facility near the Palmetto Expressway in Miami.

The facility served several functions:

Fiberglass body production
Frame fabrication
Assembly of demonstration vehicles
Shipping of kits to customers nationwide

Unlike traditional automakers, CMC’s production system revolved around fiberglass molds. These molds allowed the company to produce replica body panels quickly and economically.

Typical kit packages included:

Fiberglass body shell
Frame or chassis components
Interior pieces
Instructions for assembly

Customers would supply mechanical components such as engines, transmissions, and suspension systems from donor vehicles.

Some higher-end models were also sold as factory-built cars, rather than kits.

What Made Classic Motor Carriages Unique

Classic Motor Carriages differed from traditional car manufacturers in several key ways.

1. Replica Production

Instead of designing entirely new vehicles, CMC specialized in replicas of historic automobiles.

2. Kit-Car Business Model

Many vehicles were sold as kits for home assembly, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

3. Fiberglass Construction

CMC used fiberglass bodies rather than steel, making production faster and cheaper.

4. Donor Car Platforms

Customers typically used existing vehicles such as:

This approach allowed CMC to avoid designing expensive powertrain systems.

Major Vehicle Models Produced

Classic Motor Carriages produced a wide range of vehicles during its operation. Among the most notable were:

1. Gazelle

The Classic Motor Carriages Gazelle was one of the company’s earliest and most successful models.

It was styled after 1920s Mercedes-Benz roadsters and usually built on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis.

The Gazelle was popular because it was:

Affordable
Relatively simple to assemble
Visually striking

Thousands of Gazelle kits were sold, making it the most successful vehicle produced by CMC.

Estimated price range during the 1980s:

$9,000–$15,000 per kit

Exact global sales numbers are unknown, but the Gazelle is widely regarded as one of the best-selling kit cars of its era.

2. Tiffany Classic

Introduced in the mid-1980s, the Tiffany Classic represented CMC’s attempt to enter the luxury neo-classical automobile market.

Unlike most CMC vehicles, the Tiffany was often sold as a fully assembled car rather than a kit.

Production years:

1984–1988

The car featured:

A stretched chassis
Fiberglass bodywork
Styling inspired by 1930s luxury automobiles

Only about 140 Tiffany models were produced, making it one of the rarest CMC vehicles.

3. Porsche 356 Speedster Replica

CMC also produced replicas of the iconic Porsche 356 Speedster.

These vehicles were typically built on Volkswagen Beetle platforms, making them relatively inexpensive to build and maintain.

The Speedster replica was popular among enthusiasts who wanted the look of a classic sports car without the high price of an original Porsche.

Acquisition of Fiberfab (1983)

In 1983, Classic Motor Carriages expanded its business by acquiring the assets of another kit-car company, Fiberfab.

Fiberfab had been known for producing sports-car replicas and fiberglass kit vehicles.

CMC purchased:

Fiberfab molds
Kit designs
Production equipment

However, most of Fiberfab’s molds were ultimately stored unused and eventually scrapped, meaning the acquisition did not significantly expand CMC’s product line.

Marketing Strategies

Classic Motor Carriages relied heavily on aggressive and unconventional marketing tactics.

Promotional strategies included:

Full-page magazine ads
High-visibility airport displays
National car show appearances
Mail-order catalogs

The company’s Miami headquarters even featured a 45-foot rotating display tower holding replica cars, which became a local landmark along the Palmetto Expressway.

These campaigns helped establish CMC as a recognizable brand within the specialty-car industry.

Consumer Reception

Public reaction to Classic Motor Carriages vehicles was mixed.

Positive Reception

Many enthusiasts appreciated the company’s vehicles because they offered:

Vintage styling at affordable prices
A fun automotive hobby project
Customization possibilities

Kit cars were especially popular among hobbyists who enjoyed building vehicles themselves.

Criticism

However, as the company grew, complaints began to emerge regarding:

Incomplete kits
Long delivery delays
Missing components

Some customers reported paying thousands of dollars for kits that were never delivered or lacked essential parts.

These issues would eventually lead to major legal trouble.

Legal Problems and Controversy

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Classic Motor Carriages faced increasing criticism from customers and consumer advocates.

By the early 1990s, hundreds of customer complaints had been filed with state authorities.

Customers alleged that the company:

Promised delivery times that were not met
Sent incomplete kits
Kept deposits without delivering products

These complaints attracted the attention of the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

The 1994 Lawsuit

In July 1994, the Florida Attorney General filed a major lawsuit against Classic Motor Carriages on behalf of approximately 900 customers.

The lawsuit accused the company of:

Deceptive trade practices
Fraudulent sales tactics
Failure to deliver promised products

The legal action devastated the company’s finances and reputation.

Sales plummeted, and the company was eventually evicted from its Miami headquarters.

Later court rulings required the company to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution and fines.

Closure of Classic Motor Carriages

Following the lawsuit and financial difficulties, Classic Motor Carriages ceased operations in 1994.

After the shutdown:

Company inventory was auctioned off
Molds and equipment were sold
The original factory closed

This marked the end of one of the largest kit-car manufacturers in the United States.

Successor Companies

Despite the company’s collapse, George Levin attempted to continue operations through a new business called Auto Resolutions.

Auto Resolutions later marketed replica vehicles under the name Street Beasts.

Street Beasts operated for several years but faced similar complaints and legal challenges before eventually closing in 2010.

Racing Programs

Unlike traditional automobile manufacturers, Classic Motor Carriages did not operate a factory racing program.

Most of its vehicles were designed for:

hobbyist assembly
show cars
casual recreational driving

The company focused on styling and affordability rather than motorsport performance.

Milestones and Achievements

Despite its eventual downfall, Classic Motor Carriages achieved several notable milestones.

Largest Replica Manufacturer in the U.S.

At its peak in the 1980s, CMC was widely considered the largest automotive replica manufacturer in the United States.

Multi-Million Dollar Revenue

Annual revenue reached $15–20 million during the company’s peak years.

National Distribution

CMC vehicles were sold across all 50 states.

Major Manufacturing Facility

The company operated one of the largest replica-car production facilities in the world.

The Most Successful Vehicle: Gazelle

The Gazelle stands as the single most successful vehicle produced by Classic Motor Carriages.

Reasons for its popularity

Affordable pricing
Simple Volkswagen-based construction
Classic 1920s styling
Wide customization options

Thousands of Gazelle kits were sold during the company’s operation, making it one of the most recognizable replica cars of the 1980s.

Legacy of Classic Motor Carriages

Classic Motor Carriages played a major role in popularizing the kit-car movement in the United States.

The company demonstrated that:

Enthusiasts were willing to build their own vehicles
Classic styling could be recreated using modern materials
small manufacturers could compete in niche markets

Even today, many CMC vehicles remain on the road and appear at classic-car events.

Conclusion

Classic Motor Carriages represents one of the most fascinating stories in the American specialty-car industry.

Founded in 1973 and expanded dramatically after George Levin purchased the company in 1978, CMC grew into the largest replica-car manufacturer in the United States during the 1980s. Its vehicles—including the Gazelle, Tiffany Classic, and Porsche Speedster replicas—allowed thousands of enthusiasts to own classic-style automobiles at affordable prices.

However, rapid growth, customer complaints, and legal problems ultimately brought the company down. The 1994 lawsuit by the Florida Attorney General marked the beginning of the end for Classic Motor Carriages, leading to its closure and the eventual disappearance of its successor companies.

Despite its controversial history, CMC left a lasting mark on the kit-car industry and remains an important chapter in American automotive culture.