Retirement brings the end of an era at Beneventi Chevrolet Service
Twenty-two classic cars owned by Chevy dealer Don Beneventi will go on the auction block July 25, signaling the end of an era.
Beneventi has sold and collected Chevrolets at his family’s 88-year-old dealership in Granger for decades.
“I was born into this dealership when I was 5 years old,” Beneventi said. “It’s been my life.”
Beneventi’s father started the dealership in 1932 and Beneventi took over 1963.
Now that his grandchildren have taken over, Beneventi decided it is time to step back and sell his classic cars.
“Believe me, this is hard,” he said. “It really is hard. I just thought if there is any way I would have the ability to keep (the cars) I would, but it’s too much work.”
Beneventi recently sold the dealership to well-known car dealer Wills Automotive. New owner Matt Willis is helping Beneventi auction his collection and says he's proud to take over the tradition.
“It was a family transition,” Willis said. “You know, buy-sells aren't always that pretty. This was not a buy-sell. I would say this was a family tradition transition.”
Car models up for auction range from the 1930s to the 80s. Beneventi said he ordered many of them brand new, left the window stickers on and put them directly into storage.
Now, he hopes the cars’ new owners enjoy the lifetime of memories they hold.
“I mean, I am a car nut,” Beneventi said. “I am a car lover.”