Exotic Car Showroom Re-Opens In New Location

PALM SPRINGS – “We just think it’s a crime of opportunity with some arsonist,” says Keith McCormickof McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions picks up the pieces after a fire destroyed several classic and exotic cars at his shop.

The Palm Springs Fire Department says the cause is arson. McCormick believes someone started the fire behind the building, and then it swept inward.

“Most of the owners have been informed or have seen it on the news and they’ve been down to see what’s left of the cars,” says McCormick.

Eight cars were completely destroyed including this 1970 Chevy Camaro and this 1929 Ford Phaeton. Three others had fire damage to the front, but are repairable. Cars that were parked behind the building were moved next door. Damage has been estimated at about $500,000.

“Sadness. I had one local owner here of the Ford Fayton who burst into tears when he saw his car and he’d had it for years and it won many trophies and many shows and obviously you can’t replace that car,” says McCormick.

In the meantime, McCormick’s will have their offices here at the old Cadillac dealership. They hope to have the old building repaired within the next three months.

“It’s just another challenge of life and nobody got hurt and that’s the main priority. You can’t replace these cars. The building can be replaced and the building can be repaired. The good news for us is that the business will go on,” says McCormick.

The next big car auction is planned for February. He wants to host it in the new, repaired building.