Unlike most classic car dealers, Dealer Edge Online is backed by an in-house service facility, called the RKM Performance Center, that employs a variety of automotive experts. Specializing in everything from consignment repairs and post-sale add-ons to ceramic coating and custom builds, the RKM Performance Center is an excellent resource for buyers and enthusiasts alike. To discuss your classic’s next visit, please contact our Service Manager.
Quality Control Center
Dealer Edge Online INVENTORY
Before any classic is marketed through our Dealer Edge Online showroom, it receives a comprehensive, Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection. Performed by one of our ASE Certified Master Technicians, the Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection (LINK) focuses on the car’s drivability, suspension, brakes, fuel system, electric system, exhaust system, exterior and interior. As a dedicated group of enthusiasts, our goal is to help our customers make informed decisions on whatever car they desire. As an organization, we have the talent and ability to identify potential mechanical issues and, if the purchaser sees fit, remedy those issues and solidify their investment.
CONSIGNMENTS
At the Dealer Edge Online Performance Center, world-class service extends to the cars we own and the cars we represent for discerning sellers. As reflected in our 90% sale-through rate, Dealer Edge Online has perfected a marketing strategy that bridges the gap between high-end buyers and high-end sellers. The consignment process begins with our Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection, which ensures the car is accurately represented and optimally priced. Our goal is simple: offer buyers the best classics on the market while earning consignors top return on their investment.
AFTER-SALES SERVICE AND CUSTOMIZATION
Ever find a choice classic that you fall in love with, but then pass on because it isn’t ideal? Maybe you wanted a car with air conditioning, or maybe you wanted something with an automatic transmission. Well, the beauty of having a dealership that’s backed by a full-service facility is ease of modification. The Dealer Edge Online Performance Center will be happy to talk to you about modifying any purchased inventory car to best suit your needs. Remember, one of the greatest aspects of the collector car hobby is customization.
RESTORATION AND SERVICE WORK
If you’ve spent many years and countless dollars building the car of your dreams, taking it to a general shop just isn’t acceptable. In fact, in today’s rapidly changing automotive landscape, it’s increasingly probable that a general shop won’t have the knowledge or skills to pamper your beloved classic. At the Dealer Edge Online Performance Center, our techs specialize in vintage, unique and niche. Whether you need a minor cosmetic repair or a major mechanical overhaul, we’re up to the task. Check our Custom Builds (LINK) page to watch past projects come back to life.
CUSTOM BUILDS
As you can see from the more in-depth articles on our Custom Builds page (LINK), the Dealer Edge Online Performance Center has the talent and skill to create a world-class classic for anyone with the vision and means to do so. That said, limitations of time and space mean we have to be very selective about full builds. If you’re interested in creating something incredible and exclusive, call our Service Manager to reserve your spot.
1976 Pontiac Firebird Build (Part 2)
A lot of time has passed since we last updated you on our 1976 Firebird build, and A LOT has happened in that long, 16-month
1976 Pontiac Firebird Build (Part 1)
In the world of classic car enthusiasts, horror stories of money-sapping restorations seem to be all too common. Due to matur…
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Build
Time capsules have always fascinated the masses. Whether it’s a need for exploration or just simple romanticism, for many,
1960 Chevrolet Impala Build – Fabrication (Part 2)
In the previous Fabrication write-up, we started building the foundation of our brazen Impala restoration both figuratively
1960 Chevrolet Impala Build – Fabrication (Part 1)
If you’ve been following the RKM Performance Center’s 1960 Impala build, you probably know it’s been well over a year since
1970 Pontiac Tempest Build
When someone purchases a classic sight unseen, there’s always an element of risk. Sure, most folks have good intentions,
1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Build
When we reflect on great times spent with family, those memories are often built around a common token. Something that
1975 Pontiac Trans Am Build – Shakedown and Delivery
It’s bright and early on a Friday, and everyone is jovial. Not just because we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy another golden
1972 Chevrolet Nova Build
The RKM Performance Center completes a wide variety of projects. Sometimes we build one-of-a-kind, ground-up pro-tourers
1940 Pontiac Build
For fans of vintage things, there’s an undeniable thrill in bringing something back to life. A joy in having the ability
1967 Ford Mustang Build
Sometimes folks own fun cars they’d just like to make more fun. For those enthusiasts, it’s not about polished trinkets
1975 Pontiac Trans Am Build – Assembly
The key to creating an impressive pro-tourer is a solid foundation. With the creativity currently inhabiting the classic
1975 Pontiac Trans Am Build – Body
Despite all the cool adjectives we can throw at performance, functionality and the feel of actually driving a classic car
1960 Chevrolet Impala Build – Deconstruction
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1975 Pontiac Trans Am Build – Fabrication
The reality of running a classic car business isn’t quite as simple as ‘reality TV’ makes it seem. The RKM Performance Center
1975 Pontiac Trans Am Build – Deconstruction
When building or restoring a classic car, it’s absolutely essential to have a plan. All the good intentions in the world
1975 Pontiac Trans Am Build – Summary
The dawn of a new year marks a genesis of activity at the RKM Performance Center. The first of several builds planned for
Under our innovative buying program, Dealer Edge Online vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point vehicle Exit Service referred to as “Multi-Point Inspection, carried out by our experienced ASE Certified Master Mechanics at the Dealer Edge Performance Center. The key attributes of the Multi-Point Inspection program are explained below. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact a member of our sales team.
Whats included in the Multi-Point Inspection?
INTERIOR
With looks, power and performance out of the way, there is one final subject to our Multi-Point Inspection process: the interior. It’s where you’ll spend the most time, so go the extra mile to make sure that time will be enjoyable and trouble free. Among other items, our interior checklist ensures:
- Speedometer functions
- Courtesy lights function if equipped
- Door handles operate properly
- Front seat belts work properly if equipped
- Horn operates
- Drivers seat adjusts properly
EXTERIOR
The exterior of a car provides considerable insight into its overall condition and quality. If everything meets our standards visually, basic functionality is next on the list. Our team goes over all the standard exterior items to be sure:
- Convertible top functions
- Hood and trunk latches function properly
- Doors open and close properly
- Windows go up and down properly if equipped
- Wiper blades inspected and wipers function
SUSPENSION
- Check for vibrations
- Balance tires if vibration is felt
- Check for major leaks
- Check the transmission operation
- Check and top off Transmission and Differential fluids
- Set tire pressure
DRIVABILITY
We know most of our customers like to drive their cars – not just off the trailer but out on the roads in every day conditions. In order to make sure the cars we sell offer a proper driving experience, our technicians go through every inch of the chassis to ensure reliability, safety and solid performance.
Our techs begin by performing a visual inspection to note items such as corrosion, loose fasteners or improperly routed lines. If everything appears sound, suspension and steering is up next. Again, the tech goes through the car to ensure:
- All Suspension components are in place
- Power steering fluid is checked and topped off if equipped
- Bushings and joints are checked for wear
- Axle bearings and seals are inspected for wear
- Shocks are inspected for leaks
- Torque checked on fasteners
- Steering wheel is straight
- Alignment checked if pull is present
- Grease all points with grease fittings
BRAKES
Brakes are one of the best places to spend when building a high performance car. From vacuum drum brakes to huge power discs, we go through all of them to make sure they are fully operational, free from major leaks and road ready. Wheels and tires are also inspected for damage or irregular wear of any kind.
- Brake pads/shoes checked for condition
- Emergency brake operated if equipped
- Check the system for leaks
- Brakes function with no pull
- Check brake fluid level and condition
ENGINE
While a first rate exterior is huge part of a car’s appeal, it doesn’t mean a thing without power. From small blocks to big blocks, inline four cylinders to W10’s, the Dealer Edge Online Performance Center knows engines inside and out. To make sure our customers get reliable performance, our Multi-Point Inspection process covers all the basics to ensure:
Engine starts, idles, and runs properly
Check and top off oil and coolant and check antifreeze protection value
Check the drive belts
Cooling fan operates
Gaskets and seals free of major leaks
FUEL SYSTEM
- Gas cap present and operational
- System free from leaks
ELECTRICAL
- Battery strong
- Charging system works properly
EXHAUST
- Condition of system inspected
- Free from major exhaust leaks
- Hangers inspected
Ceramic Coating
So, you’ve invested a large portion of your hard-earned money into owning your dream car. Since you want that investment to always look its best, you start compiling a long list of detailing supplies. Topping that list is a quality carnauba wax that you’re sure will protect your new baby from the worst of Mother Nature’s wrath.
But here’s the thing about wax: it’s soft and fleeting. And wouldn’t you rather maximize your time enjoying your new ride, instead of spending one weekend a month pushing a buffer? That’s where your friends at Dealer Edge come in. Partnering exclusively with the Smart Surface Scientists at Gtechniq, our skilled technicians will create a custom blend of paint correction and composite ceramic coating that’s sure to keep your car looking incredible. Best of all, because of Gtechniq’s exceptionally engineered finishes, it’ll make the exterior surfaces of your classic easier to detail and maintain.
Founded in 2001 by quantum physicist Drew Gill, Gtechniq had one goal: ‘To engineer the world’s most beautiful, perfectly finished, smartest and most intelligent surfaces. Surfaces that do much more than simply look great when new’. Gtechniq’s line of surface preparation and finishing products are designed to perfect, protect and maintain all automotive, marine and aviation exteriors in a way traditional treatments simply can’t. Over the last 17 years, Gtechniq has continually improved its products to create a range that outshines, and outlasts, anything on the market.
Dealer Edge ceramic coating process begins with a custom paint correction plan that strikes a perfect balance between how much work the car needs and how much money its owner wants to spend. After paint correction, an application of Gtechniq’s C1 Crystal Lacquer literally becomes the functional surface of the car’s paintwork. C1 Crystal Lacquer’s crystalline film creates an excellent barrier between the car’s pigment and the minor abrasions of everyday operation, such as washing, finger prints and road grime. In fact, when tested against uncoated panels and panels with high-end carnauba wax, C1 Crystal Lacquer retains better gloss and exhibits 50% fewer swirl marks.
Our next step includes Gtechniq’s Serum Light coating, which adds a chemically bonded inorganic layer of optically clear ceramic. Ultra-durable, high-gloss and slick to the touch, Serum Light keeps your paint in the 90th percentile of gloss while affording super easy cleaning. Because Serum Light is resistant to chemicals ranging from pH2 to pH12, bonded contaminants like tree sap, tar and hard water spots are easily removed. And because Serum Light can resist temperatures from -40 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit, all-weather durability simply isn’t an issue.
For step three, we finish the car’s body with Gtechniq’s EXOv4. EXOv4 creates a consistent film that protects your ride from common chemicals like road salt and wash soap. Producing a high-gloss, warm-looking shine, it utilizes a slow flash-off time to make the car’s paint extremely hydrophobic. That property, combined with EXOv4’s enhanced swirl resistance, represents the latest innovation in Last Surface Protection technology.
Finally, we wrap the whole process up with hydrophobic window coating and Gtechniq wheel protection. Hydrophobic window coating is exactly what you might imagine: a non-stick, easy to clean film that repels water and greatly aids weather visibility. Gtechniq wheel protection uses exceptionally fine surface rheology to bond with your wheels and become a functional layer of protection against dirt, brake dust, stains and contamination.
What it all adds up to is peace of mind. Total surface protection for your investment, installed by the professionals at our own Dealer Edge Performance Center, starting at only $799. What’s better: Gtechniq guarantees their products for up to five years! Contact us for your free estimate.
