David Witt, manager of Southern Motors stands with some of the classic cars at the Clarkston showroom.(The Oakland Press/VAUGHN GURGANIAN)

Just outside Dave Witt’s offi ce, 30-40 shiny muscle and classic cars sit in the showroom of Southern Motors. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Southern Motors, a classic car dealer on Dixie Highway in Clarkston. For owner Vern Roberts and David Witt, the dealership’s manager, their work and hobby have become one.

Roberts started the company as a hobby, Witt said, but it over the years it has blossomed into a business. The classic car sales started in 1978 on Oakland Avenue in Pontiac, moved to Baldwin and Walton Boulevard and, three years ago, moved to Clarkston in a former furniture store.

Witt met the owner when Roberts was a Pontiac police officer working at Pontiac Northern High School as a police liaison officer and Witt was a student. Witt started with Roberts as a car wash boy.

Roberts, a Clarkston resident, and Witt, who lives in Oxford, have sold classic and muscle cars to customers in all 50 states. During the last three years, they’ve sold 50-70 cars to foreign clients. The majority of foreign customers live in Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia, but Witt said they have even shipped a car to Moscow.

“The most popular cars are Plymouth Barracudas, Dodge Chargers, Chevelles, and Camaros,” Witt said, adding that the company sells approximately 400 cars a year.

Customer of the month for January is Josh Morton, a U.S. Army soldier currently serving in Iraq. He purchased the “Bad Ass 69 Road Runner” and will take possession when he returns from Iraq this spring.

Southern Motors average customer is 30-60 years of age. About five percent of their sales are to women customers. As classic car shows started turning into a family affair, Witt said husbands, wives and children have all become interested in cars.

The classic car bug has even infected Witt’s family. Witt and his wife, Alicia, have two sons, Ryan and Nathan. Nathan loves hot rods and can’t wait until he turns 16 to see what he can drive. Ryan goes everywhere in the family’s 67 Plymouth Satellite, which is slammed and lowered with 17-inch wheels. Owning a classic or muscle car is a family hobby, Witt said.

“Muscle cars and classics are unique in that they appeal to all ages and that’s what keeps the hobby healthy,” he said.

Classic cars are an investment that don’t depreciate like a new car, Witt said. In fact, they often increase in value. The price of a classic car depends on its condition, but it can easily reach well beyond $10,000. Insurance for a classic car is approximately $300 per year.

Southern Motors Web site and the Internet are the best sales tools for the car company. Cars can be purchased for between $20,000 and $40,000 with great financing rates. Witt said that 2007 was the best sales year to date for Southern Motors.

Southern Motors employs buyers in Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas and Virginia who are always looking for cars. Most of the cars come from the south hence the name, Southern Motors. Sellers can send pictures and information to Southern Motors and they have representatives who will go out and look the car over. Cars arrive at the dealership in good condition, where it is then spruced up, including a coat of spray wax. Cars aren’t ready for sale until they are in pristine condition.

“If it can’t sit in my driveway, we won’t buy it.” Witt said. “It is hard to match the quality of car and price sold at Southern Motors.”

Southern Motors sponsors youth baseball in Clarkston as well as other youth activities, and is a sponsor of car cruise events during the year. Roberts and Witt are meeting to consider involvement with the Cruiser Baseball team coming to Waterford.

Witt said he is blessed with what he and the people of Southern Motors do for work — messing around with hot rods, muscle cars and classic cars. He said you meet some of the nicest people who are interested in cars.