For as long as he can remember, Steve Contarino has been a car guy. His automotive passions span wide – from the elegance of Rolls-Royces to the utilitarian charm of Checker cabs. The contrast between the two couldn’t be sharper, yet together they capture the breadth of his fascination.
“I’ve always loved cars,” Steve says. “That passion eventually became a business making parts and outfitting police cars. I’ve been at it for years, and it’s still just as interesting and fun as when I started.”
Over time, Steve noticed something missing in the classic car world: a company dedicated to the Checker, one of America’s most overlooked icons.
“The Checker Car Company was one of America’s great success stories, and yet very few people know much about the cars or the company,” he explains. “Think about New York, and most people picture the yellow cab. For decades, those cabs were built by Checker. They’re woven into the fabric of America.”
With that realization, Steve began sourcing, fabricating, and even reproducing Checker parts. Restorations naturally followed.
“They’re fun cars that draw a lot of attention,” he says. “Most people don’t realize how many variations existed – six-door wagons, formal-top sedans, short- and long-wheelbase models. We’ve even built Checker pickups.”
From Cars to Collectibles
Steve’s latest venture grew from another lifelong habit: collecting automobilia and petroliana.
“Since the 1980s, I’ve been hitting swap meets, auctions, and private gatherings, picking up pieces that caught my eye,” he recalls. “Eventually, I had so much that I started sharing it online. The response was great, so I launched Automobilia Vintage to buy, sell, and showcase these items. What’s been surprising is how many collectors have since approached me about selling their entire collections, so the inventory keeps expanding.”
Among the treasures Steve highlights is the Mattel Dream Car, an 11-by-6-inch, mechanically driven toy complete with its original box. With its futuristic Jet Age styling, something between a Batmobile and a concept car, it’s a true midcentury gem.
Automobilia Vintage also offers rare factory clay design models from Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, and other manufacturers. Few of these survived.
“Clay models were usually destroyed after use,” Steve explains. “But every so often, an engineer or designer saved one. They’re almost impossible to find today, and they look fantastic displayed on a stand, amazing conversation pieces.”
Another standout is an exquisite presentation model of a Chapron Beach Car from the 1960s, paired with a framed, hand-drawn sketch nearly two feet wide. Together, they form a museum-worthy set.
From a lighted Saab dealership sign to a 1:12-scale Mazda Cosmo, to original sketches and clay concepts from legendary designer Gordon Buehrig, the range at Automobilia Vintage is remarkable.
“It’s been so much fun bringing these rare pieces to market for other enthusiasts to see and enjoy,” Steve says. “These are items less than seldom seen, they’re once-in-a-lifetime pieces.”
And for buyers, there’s one more perk: no commissions, no hidden percentages – just flat-rate pricing. See more here.
