THE ACQUISITION PROTOCOL
European Heritage. Japanese Preservation.
The European secondary market is compromised. Salt corrosion, falsified maintenance records, and high-mileage fatigue degrade the asset value of classic Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW chassis.
We do not source from this pool.
Vantage Classics leverages a specific market arbitrage: Left-Hand Drive (LHD) European vehicles imported from Japan.
In Tokyo, ownership of a European classic is a status indicator, not a utility. These vehicles reside in climate-controlled storage. They face zero road salt. They endure stop-and-go traffic, not Autobahn abuse. The result is a 20-year-old chassis exhibiting the structural integrity of a 6-month-old demonstrator.
We are not a dealership. We hold no inventory. We possess no conflict of interest. We operate solely as your broker, executing a precise acquisition strategy to secure Grade 4.5/B investment-grade examples at wholesale cost.
THE MECHANISM: USS & JDM AUCTIONS
We provide direct access to the Japanese wholesale auction network (USS, TAA, JU), a closed loop moving 150,000+ vehicles weekly. This is not a public marketplace. It is a rigorously graded ecosystem.
The Grading Standard:
Grade S/6: Brand new.
Grade 5: As new.
Grade 4.5: Exceptional. Minor imperfections invisible to the untrained eye.
Interior B: Original leather matte finish retained. No UV damage. No tobacco residue.
Most "pristine" examples sold by European dealers are Grade 3.5 or R (Repaired) vehicles, purchased cheaply, cosmetically masked, and marked up 40%.
We bypass the markup. You acquire the asset at the Hammer Price.
Phase 1: Identification & Due Diligence
You define the target (e.g., W140 S600, 964 Carrera 2). We scan daily listings across 100+ auction houses.
Translation: We decode the Inspector’s Report (Sheet).
Verification: We identify report caveats: “W3” (Repair marks), “XX” (Panel replacement), or “Odometer Discrepancy.”
Physical Check: If the sheet passes, we deploy local agents to physically inspect the engine bay, undercarriage, and electronics.
Phase 2: Valuation & Bidding
We analyze 3 months of historical sales data to determine the accurate market value. We set a maximum bid limit together.
Discipline: We do not chase emotional bids. If the price exceeds the asset’s value, we walk away.
Execution: We bid electronically in real-time.
Phase 3: Logistics & Compliance
Upon a successful win, we initiate the export protocol.
Inland Transport: Movement from auction house to Japanese port.
Deregistration: Handling of Export Certificate (Massho).
Shipping: Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) or Containerized freight to your designated port.
Customs: Management of import duties and tax clearance.
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
The dealership model relies on information asymmetry. We rely on open ledgers.
The Cost Structure:
Hammer Price: The actual winning bid paid to the auction house.
Auction Fees: Standard house commissions (~¥20,000 JPY).
Inland Freight: At cost.
Ocean Freight: At cost.
Vantage Service Fee: A flat, fixed brokerage fee.
You receive the original invoices. You pay the raw cost of the car. You pay us for the expertise, access, and risk mitigation.
Stop buying rust. Start acquiring assets.