Great Garages DAN WITHERS: A BUILDER BUILDS A CAR COLLECTION
Dan Withers’ memorable classics are classic memories, too.
When he was 4 in Pittsburgh, his mom, June, saw a local ad placed by a man who wanted someone to transport a 1956 Cadillac hardtop to Phoenix. She arranged with the owner to make the journey so that she and the family could leave what was then a sooty rust-belt city. Her mother-in-law lived in Phoenix and often spoke of blue skies and year-long sun. Dan’s dad was in Korea, serving with post-war troops.
Dan Withers never forgot that Caddy.
Today, the retired founder of D.L. Withers Construction looks down from the mezzanine of his 22-foot-ceiling showroom and warehouse in Tempe and enjoys his 45-car collection.
Purchased in 2014, the 30,000-square-foot garage is the third for his collection. The former restaurant supply space retains its exhibition kitchen, where cooking demonstrations were once held. He has parties here occasionally, most recently one honoring Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet. Withers recalls: “We had lots of haggis, Scotch and bagpipes!”
In his upsized man cave, he displays classics, resto-mods, hot rods, muscle cars, racers, exotics and supercars. Most are taken to shows, driven in rallies and raced.
“The collection is an eclectic group that represents many different types and eras in the automobile industry,” he says. “Much like the changes in the industry over the years, I’ve changed my focus, so you will see a wide range of types and years.”
He has
