Ft. Lauderdale: does this dealer still exist ?

My dad and his 2 brothers were KICKED OUT of the "Toy Store" several years ago. The salesman told them that they didn't allow "browsing." Unbelievable. I wouldn't buy anything from them.

The other store... Hmmm... I don't know if it's still there. Never stopped in, and I haven't been down that road in a while (I live about 40 miles north of there). I think it was called Auto Panache (and I can't quite read it from your photo). I have a feeling they're not there anymore, though.

The BEST place to see Ferraris in Ft. Lauderdale is Shelton Ferrari... an authorized Ferrari dealer. Ask for Benn Correale (sp?) or Bud Root. Both of them are SUPER nice guys and always glad to show you around. The showroom always has a nice collection of cars. Their shop is gorgeous and always has a few interesting cars up on the lifts. They also have a separate shop where they restore older cars. Cool stuff. A first class operation with first class people.

If you get to visit them, tell'em "Mike the dentist" sent ya!

Mike

 

The Auto Toy Store is in a complete self inflicted down hill death spiral. I stopped by there looking for a car a few months ago, gave a salesperson my name AND phone number, not one follow-up call.

Bought somewhere else.

 

** I was there in 1999 and Auto Panache was gone but The Auto Toy Store was still there and is still there at the present time. They are online too. www.thenewautotoystore.com / something like that ??? Ft Lauderdale is a swinging city. Lots to do and see. I want to return soon as well. Shelton Ferrari is on North Federal. Great dealership, friendly folks and lots of cars.
FM

 

Dont forget Motorcar Gallery!

http://www.motorcargallery.com

The new showroom location will be moving soon (stay tuned) so all the cars will be in one spot and no more leaking roof.

BHW

 

Ed Waterman's moving out of his old digs?!?! He's been there, what, 30 years? I pass it twice a day on my commute. I'll miss the rubbernecking to see what's new...

Jack

 

I went to motorcar gallery. Me and Marc Sonnery who also works there chatted for a long time. He was really nice and was more than happy to tell me about each individual car.

Here is an article on the toy store that you may find interesting:


http://www.newtimesbpb.com/issues/1999-07-16/news.html


I was told that at some point the salespeople carried guns to protect themselves from unhappy customers

 

Yes, Motorcar Gallery and most of the surrounding area has been sold off to make room for condos and office buildings.

Ed is looking for a new location and Marc is now back in France.

BHW

 

confirmed, Auto Panache has been gone for 5-6 years.

 

Condomania has gripped Ft Lauderdale in a choke-hold. I'll miss some of the old buildings coming down. They may not be bright-shiny new, but they have character and patina. And from the looks of things, there isn't a decent architect in south Florida....

 

Really? When did this happen? Do you have a email address for him? No wonder my emails haven't been answered. Please PM me

 

When did the Auto Toy Store become the New Auto Toy Store? Was that a real change or just a scam?

It is not a friendly place to look at a car. When I went in there I was asked "Are you here to buy?" before anyone would talk to me or let me look at any of the cars.

 

You may EMail the Motorcar Gallery at...

[email protected]

The character of the old building held up true to form during the Hurricane.
The roof leaked like a siv and it smelled like a locker room for a few days
but the cars survived intact, although not without a few anxious moments
Thursday evening.

Marc returned to France back in June. I may relay EMail to him if anyone wishes.

BHW

 

Thanks man. Glad to know the car is ok and the building made it

 

Shortly after the article referenced a few posts back came out, the operators of the Auto Toy store ran into significant difficulties with the Feds.

Ray Anthony bought the facility and renamed it the "new."

For a while, Ray was overseeing the place and it was a decent place to deal with. Subsequently, he gave the business over to his son, who has turned it back into what it was in the past.

As I understand it, there are plans to raze the facility - and the place next door - to build a high-rise. I am not sure what they plan to do with the ATS during that process.

Scottie
www.TheCarcierge.com
A secure, climate controlled, car storage facility

 

Marc departed back in May 2005. He was a wealth of information, prompt with follow ups and very polite person to deal with.
Ed doesn't have time to return buyer's phone calls (I called 14 times) and he doesn't let Bart negotiate so the problems are circular, resulting in no sale and dissappointed buyers.

Shelton would never treat people this way...

 

The toy store is still around..... I work there. Trust me the old ways are just that OLD. In fact I think we are one of the only dealerships that will let u sit in the car. Try that in any of the others...........

 

I have said this before. If things have truly changed the dealership needs to visably demostrate this, because as of this moment the dealership's reputation is still negative. Adding the word "new" does not mean a thing.

Action will speak louder than words.

 

not to be rude but we have tried to show a change. I have delt with a few people on this board and more on 6speed online. I always welcome people to come by and check out the place but some can not let the past be the past. Yes Ray did take over in 99 but then it changed hands to his son and it went back down hill. Now his son is long gone from the place and it is under new management. Ray still checks in from time to time on us to make sure we are running the place well. I tried to sponser the toys for tots event but was told that due to the past reputation and due to the fact shelton and collection would back out if I stepped in I was not able to sponser the event. I still made a donation as it was not about the spondership it was about a nice event being held for people less fortunate. I was even told by Ray that we would donate twice what shelton and collection did but I did not want to deal with people backing out because we stepped in. It was about the kids, which is why I did not put up a fight. Everyone is more then welcome to step in and let me or anyone else show you around. I am 100% positive you will find us a lot more helpfull and willing to talk to you then almost any other dealer around.


That being said I would like to thank Frank for calling me about the toy run and for coming by to drop off the flyers. It was very nice of you to still think of us.

 

not to be rude but we have tried to show a change. I have delt with a few people on this board and more on 6speed online. I always welcome people to come by and check out the place but some can not let the past be the past. Yes Ray did take over in 99 but then it changed hands to his son and it went back down hill. Now his son is long gone from the place and it is under new management. Ray still checks in from time to time on us to make sure we are running the place well. I tried to sponser the toys for tots event but was told that due to the past reputation and due to the fact shelton and collection would back out if I stepped in I was not able to sponser the event. I still made a donation as it was not about the spondership it was about a nice event being held for people less fortunate. I was even told by Ray that we would donate twice what shelton and collection did but I did not want to deal with people backing out because we stepped in. It was about the kids, which is why I did not put up a fight. Everyone is more then welcome to step in and let me or anyone else show you around. I am 100% positive you will find us a lot more helpfull and willing to talk to you then almost any other dealer around.


That being said I would like to thank Frank for calling me about the toy run and for coming by to drop off the flyers. It was very nice of you to still think of us.

 

I've sat in all kinds of super-exotics at Shelton. And, that's when they KNEW I wasn't going to buy anything... YET. Furthermore, they took the time to show me around the ENTIRE facility including the vintage restoration shop. I think the first time I was there, Benn Correale spent close to 2 hours with me. Every time I go there to "browse," I'm given the red-carpet treatment. Bud Root has also been my gracious host on a number of my "pilgrimages" to Shelton Ferrari (Heaven!).

A bad reputation is difficult to reverse or overcome. I wish you the best of luck with that. And credit is due for even coming on this forum to take the heat.

My dad (and two uncles) being asked to leave (I promise they aren't "rowdy") the ATS was a nice "how-do-ya-do!" And, incidentally, while my dad surely doesn't LOOK the part (hasn't ever paid for a haircut to my knowledge - makes his wife cut it), he could buy any car in the place. But, hey... "no browsing allowed."

When my time comes to buy a Ferrari, and it's on the horizon, I will go to Shelton. I may pay a higher price, but I know I will be treated well based on my past experience. I know I can TRUST them. And, when it comes to a big-ticket item, trust and service weigh HEAVILY over the difference of a few dollars.

Mike

 

Bud Root...cool guy.

known him for more then 6 years

in 8th grade I did a report on Enzo Ferrari...
and I loved to go down to Shelton and look in the window. never wanted to go inside (cause when I went into the toy store by myself they would tell me to get my parent if I wanted to look.) so I didnt want to get yelded at so I never went in.
then I saw a guy down my street with a Fcar....so i talked to him...and told him what I was doing...and he said "ask for Bud Root"

so my dad and i went down (took my camera and vid camera with me...even tho my mom said "theres NO way they will let you take pics")

well, I asked for him and got him. He asked *looking at my dad* "what can I do for you?"

my dad looked at me....and I said what I was doing and if he knew anything about it. and I asked if I could tape him *dad looks at me like NO dont ask that*
Bud said "SURE go get it"
well not only did he show me and my dad around the dealer and the shop.....he took me in the back to show me this 250 GTO...and told me to take the cover off...
my dad had the camera and just about droped it when he heard Bud say how much it was. lol ($10,000,000)

but to think...if every dealer was like that...Im a kid and he let me see a 10 million dolar car and 2 year after that I went in and asked what was new...and he took me to the back again and showed me this F50 all apart and took a pic of me in the 333 which is for sale right now.

toy store.....here I come....

 

Great story... and no surprise.

Mike

 

yeah, try, the other dealers may very well let you test drive the car and not just sit in it