Collier Motors

Robert Collier established Collier Motors in 1955 as a single entrepreneur while in his 20s. His father was also in the automobile business and continued working until he was in his 80s. Collier transitioned from marketing Chevrolets to selling cars made by American Motors Corporation (AMC). The longstanding relationship with AMC continued until the automaker was partially purchased by Renault in 1979.

After AMC began importing Renault models from France, Collier decided he preferred to sell only domestically designed and built cars. He would not sell new Renault-derived passenger cars, such as the 1983 Alliance that was assembled by AMC in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Collier continued to sell the stock he already had on the lot and focused his dealership on older AMC cars and Jeep vehicles, as well as used vehicles of other domestic makes. He lost the AMC franchise in the mid-1980s and automaker was bought by Chrysler in 1987.

The 5-acre (2.0 ha) property is on the west side of old U.S. Route 117. By 2010, the business was described by visitors as having "vehicles and parts slowly returning to the soil." Collier died on 11 February 2018, at the age of 88. The administration of the estate was placed mainly on Robbie Collier, the oldest son.

Business

As of 2012, Collier Motors sits frozen in time. Attempting to settle Robert Collier's estate, the Collier family continues to sell off the remaining inventory. However, most have remained outside, unprotected, on the lot since the early 1980s. Vehicles included 1970s and 1980s-model AMCs, such as Gremlins, Pacers, Ambassadors, Matadors, Javelins, Eagles, Spirits, Hornets, and Concords. Some of the cars still retain their original Monroney window stickers. Once the inventory has been sold or otherwise disposed of, the property will be cleared and listed for sale.

Historic vehicles

Historic vehicles owned by the Collier family and stored at the lot have included unique examples such as four 1950s Nash-Healeys and Barry Goldwater's two-seat AMX muscle car with a "tricked-out dash". There were also two Alabama Highway Patrol Javelins and a 1950 Nash Statesman from the 1991 movie The Marrying Man.

The policy has been to sell complete cars, not to part them out. A late-2021 estimate noted 40 "desirable" and restoration-worthy cars that include some high-performance equipped AMCs.