A major remodeling project taking place along Pittsburgh Street in Cheswick might not look like much from the outside, but inside the one-story building is a treasure trove of automotive history.

MaxMotive, a family-owned and operated company founded in 2018, owns the facility that is an expansion of the former storage headquarters it outgrew at Fox Chapel Marine and Yacht Club.

Besides a large inventory of classic, muscle and custom cars, the building houses a collection of antique gas pumps, neon signs, Coca-Cola vending machines, clocks, posters and other vintage collectibles and memorabilia items available for sale.

Family car collection

Also at the facility are some of the vehicles that are part of The Maxwell Collection, the family’s personal collection of cars — which includes gems such as a 1965 Shelby Cobra roadster, a 1915 Maxwell Touring car, a 1946 Dodge pickup truck and a 1970 Pontiac GTO.

The Maxwell family also has purchased “movie cars” that include three cars from “The Fast and the Furious” franchise, one of two original “Starsky and Hutch” vehicles and a Dodge Charger driven and autographed by actor Edward Norton, from Spike Lee’s 2002 film “25th Hour.”

The company, operated by brothers David Maxwell, owner, and Bobby Maxwell, general manager, is in the business of selling, buying, trading and consigning world-class vehicles with the goal of helping automotive enthusiasts find their dream car.

Bobby says they are carrying on the love and appreciation for automobiles that their late father, Bill Maxwell, had when they were growing up. Bill started his Max Construction Co. 65 years ago that is still in business today, with its main office located in Saltsburg, Indiana County.

Bobby remembers his first car, a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle, and his brother’s 1974 Plymouth Satellite, but he finds it difficult to choose his favorite from among MaxMotive’s automobile collection.

“There’s so much history in each vehicle. You can’t say one is better than the other,” he says.

Steel City Nationals 2019

Besides overseeing the current construction project in Cheswick that will include a redesigned exterior that replicates the look of a vintage filling station, the Maxwells are getting ready to host their first big car event in Pittsburgh when MaxMotive presents the inaugural Steel City Nationals 2019 on Aug. 24-25 at Heinz Field.

The two-day event will feature displays of hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, trucks and exotics in addition to a swap meet, industry vendors, road art, memorabilia and a Cars 4 Sale corral to buy and sell vehicles. Guest appearances will include custom car designers Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele of Kindig It Design and Velocity TV’s “Bitchin’ Rides.” The Jaggerz will perform in a Saturday evening concert.

“We want this event to be something you remember and that your whole family can enjoy,” says Bobby Maxwell.

Steel City Nationals will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 24 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh. Admission for spectators is $10 for a day pass, $15 for a weekend pass, and free for ages 15 and under. Weekend vehicle registration ($20 before Aug. 10, $25 after Aug. 10) includes two adult admissions plus children and an event shirt.

Details: maxmotive.com

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