‘Car condos’ are becoming social clubs for collectors
By Richard Crouse Special to the Star
Sat., Aug. 21, 2021
There is one thing car fanatics like more than their prized vehicles, and that’s talking about them. The social aspect of car culture, like owners trading stories about their rides, can be found wherever gearheads gather — from service station and mall parking lots to car shows and most recently in vehicle storage facilities.
“It’s in our DNA,” said Gary Shapiro, owner of Auto Vault Canada in North York. “Our clients love talking, discussing and basically hanging out around old cars.” He operates what is essentially a high-end “car condo,” an 88,000-square-foot secure storage facility that is home to 400 vehicles.
“Putting an old car in grandpa’s barn is a thing of the past,” Shapiro said. “We’re now looking at developing car condos where like-minded individuals can protect their investments, visit them, get together as a group to chat, trade, watch a Formula One race, smoke a cigar or talk about whatever appeals to them — from cars, to watches, to real estate.
“The city is getting more crowded. People of a certain age are downsizing, but they need a place for their ‘toys,’” he said. “Their toys are extremely valuable, and they want to showcase their collector cars. They’ve become rolling pieces of art.”
From its attendants dressed in 1950s gas station attire, to pedal cars to keep the kids busy, Auto Vault Canada has been built by Shapiro into an oasis for car aficionados.
“When my clients come into the vault they see the same people year after year — we’ve been doing this for 18 years now — and they want to talk about the things that interest them. Many clients will bring in their young children so they can view numerous classics from the 1950s and 1960s, or even modern super cars, Ferraris, Lambos and McLarens,” Shapiro said.
“Car clubs will come in (before the pandemic) and host events. I collect vintage Mercedes-Benz Cabriolets from the 1970s, so I welcome groups to visit and learn about them. It’s a great way to ensure future generations will enjoy the hobby.”
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