Christopher Michael Nezer, aka, Mike Nezer, Christoph Nezer, is a convicted criminal with felony convictions in two states. He is well known to law enforcement.in fact, during the entire time he controlled the day-to-day operations of Classic Muscle in Nashville he was the subject of a probation violation warrant issued out of Orange County, Florida. He was arrested on this warrant and made his initial appearance in an Orange County court on 3/21/07. The case was dismissed after the State of Florida was unable to proceed.
Prior to opening up shop as Classic Muscle Nezer operated a company called STENCILCO, which operated under a variety of trade names. He filed for bankruptcy in December and was discharged by the Bankruptcy Court in April.
My dealings with Classic Muscle involved a muscle car restoration. I noticed a local advertisement for Classic Muscle inviting anyone to drop by and visit the shop. Since I had a Challenger that needed restoration I went to the shop and met with Mr. Nezer and Jeff Wipp Wipperman. I received a very refined pitch and was assured that if I let them complete a rotisserie restoration of the car it would sell for a huge amount at auction.
The shop appeared on its face to be legitimate and I was impressed that someone had trusted Mr. Nezer with the restoration of a rare 1948 Tucker automobile. (I have since learned that Mr. Nezer still owes craftsman that worked on the Tucker) Mr. Nezer even advised that the Tucker was to be the Smithsonian Institutions display vehicle (later determined to be a lie from the Tucker owner) after it had finished its tour of smaller museums and car shows. Mr. Nezer quoted a cost of $46,000 for the restoration which would include a correct date coded block engine to which only he had access. [Subsequent contact with that engine builder revealed that Nezer had such a notorious reputation that the builder would only do business with him on a cash only basis.]
The $46,000 payment was to cover all expenses involved in the restoration. NEZER stated that if he discovered a problem that he missed when he estimated the restoration cost he would take care of the additional cost. He also told me that he had a huge storage area/facility in Alabama filled with muscle cars that he could rely upon for parts. Which also turned out to be untrue.
I returned to Classic Muscle with my car and a substantial amount of new parts to be used in the restoration. He directed Mr. Wipperman how to complete the Repair Order but, not so strangely it turns out, did not sign it himself. I told him I would pay for the restoration as each major portion was completed, e.G., dismantling and tagging, bodywork, paint, interior, assembly. He responded by becoming belligerent and visibly angry and told me that would just delay the restoration and he would not be able to meet the six month deadline I had set. Solely in order to expedite the restoration I reluctantly gave $46,000. That should have been all the warning I needed.
From August until May I made constant attempts to determine the status of the restoration; by email, by telephone. I received nothing but the run around for the next eight months. During that period Mr. Nezer kept none of the promises he made. There were no regular updates, no regular photos of progress, only rude, condescending emails from Staff. I did receive one personal telephone call, from Mr. Wipperman asking for more money for sheet metal and labor charges. Mr. Wipperman also told me that the $18,000 engine had been purchased and was in the shop.
Then I received a call from Mr. Williams that Classic Muscle was going to be placed into bankruptcy. When I went to pick up my car the shop was in a shambles. It didnt take long to determine that Mr. NEZER had done everything he could to intimidate the employees (his self-described independent contractors) into keeping silent about his activities by, among other things, routinely threatening them and their families with physical harm. He alluded to his organized crime connections in what would otherwise be a laughable attempt to build up his tough guy image.
The car was in pieces in several locations throughout the shop. A portion of the body sheet metal work had been done but very little. I never located the rear window. My new parts were nowhere to be found. There was no new engine.
On 8/18/07 a Creditors' Meeting was held in the Bankruptcy in which Mr. Williams testified under oath. Mr. Williams testified that he was aware of Mr. Nezers criminal background when he went into business with him, 'just not the extent of it.' He admitted that he has no idea of how to account for the over $1 million in operating income taken in by Classic Muscle while it was open. He agreed some of it may have been stolen or embezzled. Mr. Williams then more than implied that the money was taken by Mr. Nezer.
Over 20 civil lawsuits have been filed against Classic Muscle and that was before Mr. William's filed for bankruptcy. The Classic Muscle bankruptcy involves nearly 100 creditors who will never see any of their money returned. The STENCILCO bankruptcy ended with similar results. Mr. Nezer is well aware that the United States Bankruptcy Code was written for the Debtor, not the Creditors. And it is common knowledge among the halls of the Federal Courthouse that there was no effort by the Congress to instill fairness into the bankruptcy statutes.
Mr. Nezer's latest endeavor appears to called Classic Muscle SS Company, Inc. Apparently Mr. Nezer is attempting to sell the unwitting Classic Muscle Franchise concept so anybody can walk in a (sic) order their Dream Car!' In his press release Mr. Nezer pointedly warns the reader'Do not call my shop.' No wonder, considering 'his shop' is closed and locked down by the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee.
My hope is that future investors or people that are considering doing business with Mr. Nezer are smarter than I was and do a thorough investigation of his background BEFORE being duped by this con-man. Perhaps a simple internet search will bring them to this site and my report will save them money and aggravation.
Mr. Nezer believes that he is above the law, or that at least he can talk himself out of any situation. But he is not, and sooner or later his activities will catch up with him.
FNU, LNU
Anywhere
U.S.A.
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