The Story Behind Buy Gone

Hey Gang!

I’m Jeff Tiedke; car enthusiast, lover of great music, collector of cool things, a sucker for a great story (especially about classic cars and collectibles) & the Owner of Buy Gone Classics.

Buy Gone specializes in purchasing and selling collector cars, trucks, and Americana collectibles, while preserving their condition as much as possible. Whether we’re selling an original paint survivor pickup, frame-off restored Chevelle SS, or vintage Wurlitzer jukebox, great care is taken to properly honor every piece of history we share for sale. For something unrestored, we choose to preserve vs. restore because authenticity matters to us. That means you may even see a little rust, or some wear on the interior. For that meticulously restored item we’re selling? You better believe we’re going to have that bad boy looking as close to perfect as we can.

We also don’t want to lose the story behind where that vehicle or collectible came from, and go out of our way to seek those stories. Heck, we even try to provide as much original documentation when we can. Because at the end of the day, we sell classic cars & Americana collectibles, but what we truly sell are stories and the ability to evoke emotions and memories of bygone eras. Here’s more about why we choose to preserve vs restore classic cars and trucks.

Just like every classic car and collectible has a story, so do we…

The story of Buy Gone began decades ago with a kid’s passion for collector cars and Americana collectibles. My grandfather owned several service stations as well as a tavern, so I’ve had collector cars and collectibles intertwined in my family for generations.

As a child, I was fascinated with every classic car and gas oil sign that was part of my family’s collection. But what I loved most was hearing my father and grandfather share the stories behind each item… from the Chevy pickup that brought their first child home to the jukebox that played while a first kiss was shared. Fast forward a few years and it surprised no one in my family that I bought and sold my first classic car before I even got my license!

Years later, a career as a high school teacher offered an opportunity to switch gears in summer, and focus on my growing passion for collector cars, gas & oil signs, pinball machines, and jukeboxes. After more than fifteen years in the classroom, hunting for bygones and hearing their stories became more than just a passion and hobby; Buy Gone was formally founded in 2019 in Mazomanie, WI, just outside of Madison, where the shop still exists today.

Backed by values that are so old-fashioned they are written on a piece of loose-leaf paper…

Tucked away in my wallet are the values that have grounded Buy Gone since day one. Know that whether you are selling a classic car or collectible to us or purchasing one to create new stories of your own, I will be with you every step of the way. I’m passionate about every item I acquire and even more passionate about finding them a new home. Heck, I sometimes even get a little emotional seeing one go. But that is the nature of the business, and the way I see it, the start of a friendship that will stick with me forever.

Thanks for Hanging Out,