Motor Momentum

What was once a hobby for semi-retired entrepreneur Michael Lombardo, a man cave, really, has relatively quickly turned into a thriving classic car business.

So thriving that Lombardo and his team now sell about 25 cars a month to customers worldwide. Prices range from $10,000 to $400,000 for a Rolls Royce. The average price per sale is about $25,000, and the total sales volume has been on the rise. Says Lombardo: “We've been growing by leaps and bounds.”

That's why Lombardo, with Sarasota-based Ideal Classic Cars, recently tackled an old-school business dilemma rarely seen these days, courtesy of the recession: Not enough space.