Florida Man Sentenced for Unraveling $2.5 Million Classic Car Restoration Scam

A Florida man who operated a luxury classic car restoration business in upstate New York has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after defrauding collectors out of millions of dollars. Clark P. Rittersbach, 51, ran Concours Classic Motor Cars in Macedon, which authorities say was essentially a front for a long-running scam targeting wealthy car enthusiasts around the world.

Federal investigators uncovered that Rittersbach collected over $2.5 million from clients eager for restored vintage vehicles. However, most of the promised restorations were never completed, with many projects barely started. He reportedly used the slow pace of high-end auto restoration as cover, sending clients frequent updates that falsely claimed progress while the cars sat idle in his shop.

Among the victims was a client who paid $25,000 in 2019 for a Duesenberg engine overhaul that had not even been touched. Another car collector was misled about the restoration of a 1964 Porsche, continuously paying in hopes of progress that never materialized.

Prosecutors described Rittersbachs actions as a classic confidence scheme, sustained by deceptive communications that kept the money flowing. By the time authorities intervened, the fraud had totaled over $2.5 million, leaving many collectors with unfinished vehicles and broken trust.

The case serves as a warning in the classic car community: sending valuable vehicles to distant experts without thorough verification can be risky. While Rittersbach has now faced justice, the incident raises concerns about potential similar scams in the luxury restoration market.

Author: Aiden Foster