Rare Rides Company| Where We Came From, Who We Are, Where We're Going

Our History

Our History: A Legacy of Expertise

Rare Rides Company may be a newer name, but our roots in the classic car industry run deep. Our story is one of evolution, passion, and a hand-picked team that has been the backbone of this operation for years.

The Foundation

The journey began in 2010 as a small consignment dealership in Mooresville. Over the next decade, the business grew into an international name, eventually becoming Shelton Classics and Performance. During that era, we earned a global reputation, shipping high-quality classics to collectors in Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Familiar Faces, New Chapter

In 2023, a unique opportunity allowed the heartbeat of the company to take the wheel. When former owner Mike Shelton returned to the NASCAR world, he turned to the two people who had been running the show: John Gibson and Andrew Tanner.

John joined the team in 2017, bringing elite experience from industry giants like RK Motors and Streetside. Andrew followed shortly after in 2018. Together with partner Kristy Hill, they transitioned the business into Rare Rides Company.

Why the Connection Matters

While the sign on the door changed in June 2023, the expertise did not.

Consistency: Our leadership team has been the "face of the place" since 2017.
Global Reach: We continue to utilize the same international network that made our predecessor famous.
Integrity: We carry forward the same commitment to honest consignment that has defined this location for over a decade.

Today, we are proud to call Statesville home, continuing to connect sellers and buyers from across the country and around the globe.

Who We Are

Growing up in Missouri as an avid Motorsports fan, it wasn't long before John developed a passion for classic cars. Motorsports brought him to North Carolina in 2005 and he spent nearly the next decade behind the wheel of a 600hp stock car. When he wasn't at the track, he was honing his expertise in the classic car industry. Over the last 10 years, John has done it all in the industry, wearing multiple hats from marketing representative, consignment manager, and culminating in a six-year tenure as Sales Director at Shelton Classics and Performance, where he sold over $18,000,000 in classic cars. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, John's here to guide you on your journey to find the perfect classic car.

Andrew Tanner has been working in and around the classic car industry for over half of his life. A "car guy" since he could speak, Andrew has yet to find the off button for his passion for eclectic and unique automobiles. Starting work at his neighbor's classic car repair and restoration shop at the age of 14, he was hooked for sure! After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Communications from McPherson College, where he went through their prestigious and one-of-a-kind Automotive Restoration program, Andrew followed his passion into automotive journalism for publications such as BarnFinds.com and My Classic Garage. In 2018, he joined the Shelton Classics & Performance team as their consignment specialist before partnering with John Gibson to form Rare Rides Company in 2023.

Karice Gibson is the wife of John Gibson and the Office Manager. Karice is just starting her career in the classic car industry and is learning something new everyday. She has enlisted the help of John and Andrew to teach her what to look for under the hood of cars, selling features of classics, and learning the ins and outs of the industry. Karice comes from a retail background where she was a store manager for both Bath and Body Works and The Body Shop. Transitioning from soap and bubble bath to V-8s has been an adventure to say the least. Karice is continuing to keep tabs on the everchanging regulations of the FTC and FCC and implementing any new laws set forth through the NC DMV. Come stop by and say "hi" to Karice as getting to know our customers and consignors is the best part of her day!

Kristy Hill is a life-long classic car enthusiast who developed a love for automobiles at a young age, hanging out in the garage with her grandfather as a child. Kristy's prior automotive experience includes former ownership of a race team for 10 years as well as operating Magnolia Classics as a wholesale dealer for 6 years prior to opening Rare Rides Company. Restoring everything from Mustangs to Toyota FJ40s, Kristy knows her way around the classics. Her knowledge and enthusiasm shows when discussing classics like her first car, a 1974 Plymouth Duster, or her first restoration project, a 1968 Chevrolet Impala. Kristy is proof that the love of cars just flows through some people's veins!

Our Future

The Road Ahead: Our Vision & Values

While our address has changed, our engine remains the same. Transparency isn’t just a buzzword at Rare Rides Company, it’s the foundation of every deal. Whether you are a local collector here in Statesville or a buyer across the country, you can expect plain-talk honesty about every vehicle in our showroom.

As a licensed North Carolina dealership, we take pride in doing things the right way, empowering our buyers with the facts and ensuring our sellers that their prized classics are going to a home where they’ll be truly appreciated.

Home in Statesville

We’ve officially traded the moving boxes for a modern, high-efficiency showroom right here in Statesville, NC. Over the past year, we’ve loved getting to know the local car community and becoming a destination for enthusiasts in the area.

Our showroom is open to the public, and we’d love for you to stop by, talk shop, and see what’s currently on the floor.

Where to Find Us This Season

We don’t just stay behind the desk—we’re out where the exhaust is loud and the chrome is polished. Look for the Rare Rides team at these upcoming events:

Charlotte AutoFair – April 9th-11th
Statesville Pumpkin Fest – November 7th
Hometown Horsepower in China Grove – March 28th, May 30th, August 29th, October 24th

We are constantly hunting for the next great find and building a community of enthusiasts who value quality and integrity. The future is bright, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.