ABOUT US

ABOUT US

Retired police officers Tim Franko and Jeff Canter drove their lifelong passion for classic cars into a new business when they founded BlueLine Classics in 2013. As Tim and Jeff grew up together—and later shared a squad car—two deep interests fueled their friendship: serving the public as police officers, and cars. Both Tim and Jeff are the sons of retired police officers and both have been riding around in classic cars for as long as they can remember.


Over the years, Tim and Jeff have owned, bought, sold, restored, and enjoyed literally dozens of antique, classic, and muscle cars.


When it came time to choose a name for their new business, the decision was easy. The Thin Blue Line is a symbol that has long represented police officers as the defenders of the community’s citizenry.

OVER A DECADE OF SERVICE

Today, BlueLine Classics pays cash for the classic cars they stock in their showroom in North Royalton, Ohio. BlueLine Classics owns all of the cars in their inventory. Using their expansive network, Tim and Jeff sell cars to buyers as far away as Europe, Asia, and other spots all around the globe. Feel free to contact them if you're in the market for a new classic or interested in selling one of your own. BlueLine Classics offers financing options and transportation services too.

SANFORD & SON TRUCK

Proudly preserved to its junkyard condition, the iconic “Sanford and Son” truck is now on permanent display at BlueLine Classics.


For two childhood friends and the owners of BlueLine Classics, images of the TV show “Sanford and Son” have always flickered past Tim and Jeff’s lives. The beloved show, which starred Redd Foxx, ran for six seasons on NBC between 1972 and 1978 and followed the antics of Fred, a cantankerous widower—“You hear that, Elizabeth? I’m coming to join you, honey!”—and his son, Lamont, as junkmen and proprietors of Sanford and Son Salvage. As the show’s endured over the years, so has Tim and Jeff’s friendship, first as police squad car partners and now through their shared passion for classic cars.

Years ago, sitting in front of a grainy TV, Tim and Jeff never could have imagined that the same run-down red 1951 Ford F1 truck, a prominent fixture on the show always parked at Fred and Lamont's place, would one day be parked at their place. When the iconic “Sanford and Son” truck went up for auction in 2014, Tim and Jeff couldn’t turn away any more than they could turn away from the first funky notes of Quincy Jones’ “The Streetbeater”—Bah-da Bah-da-da—the show’s classic theme song.


For six months, Tim and Jeff proudly preserved the “Sanford and Son” truck to its junkyard condition and, except for a few minor adjustments, it’s exactly as you remember it. The glass was put back—during the show’s taping it was removed to avoid glass glare—and the engine was rebuilt. Tim and Jeff also re-upholstered the seat, because they wanted to be comfortable—“You big dummy!”


In 2015, BlueLine took the show on the road. The “Sanford and Son” truck made its debut at the Hot Rod Power Tour and purred along from Madison, WI, to Baton Rouge, LA—“Watch it, sucka!”

In September 2016, BlueLine Classics hosted the “Sanford and Son” Reunion. The actor who played Rollo (Nathaniel Taylor II) was there, along with the two actors who played Officers Smitty and Hoppy ( Hal Williams & Howard Platt)—unlike, Tim and Jeff, the two former police squad partners hadn’t seen each other for 40 years. It was a memorable reunion for the actors, and they were happy to stay and talk to the crowd, reminiscence and sign Sanford and Son Salvage T-shirts, as well as autograph the truck. The reunion was a celebration of what made Sanford and Son great, the show’s enduring ability to bring people together—and that ain’t no jive.


During the time that BlueLine has owned the truck, they have also been in touch with several other Sanford and Son cast members, to include Demond Wilson (also known as Lamont), Gregory Sierra (also known as Julio), and Raymond Allen (also known as Uncle Woody), all of whom have autographed the truck as well.

The “Sanford and Son” truck always draws a crowd. See it for yourself at BlueLine Classics, or tell Jackie about your event and we might see you there. Reach out to 216-701-5905 or jackie@bluelineclassics.com.


ON THE ROAD & IN THE NEWS

Sanford and Son REUNION

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