Not your ordinary San Diego Car Club

Charles Butler spent more than two years trying to figure out what to do with the 30,000 square feet of empty storage space that he owned off of Palomar Airport Road in North County. He considered using the high–end facility for boat storage—but it was nowhere near water—and also thought about offering parking for recreational vehicles, but the size of RVs made that idea impractical. Then he came across the idea of offering safe, secure and climate–controlled space for classic, rare and exotic cars. 

Little did Butler know at the time that his idea would blossom beyond offering storage for luxury cars into the creation of a community of where people could share their passions for the finer things in life, including a love and appreciation of some of the world’s most amazing automobiles.

"Our goal here is to have a place where people can come in, relax and talk about cars," said Butler, who admits that when he started the business just under two years ago that he knew very little about car collecting. "I didn’t want it to look like any other car storage place, it needed to be comfortable and inviting, like a private club."

Butler explained that owners of historic and exotic cars are very particular about how their vehicles are treated on a daily basis while they await their next outing. That’s why Rancho Santa Fe Motor Club and Storage takes great pride in providing a clean and secure indoor space that offers high–quality storage and protection to maintain its member’s investment while keeping it ready to drive whenever the owner desires.

Located in a well–appointed corporate area, RSF Motor Club and Storage doesn’t look like your typical car storage place—which usually has oil–stained floors, grease monkey mechanics and padlocked chain–link fencing. Butler’s facility has the look and feel of an exclusive, members–only clubhouse for the upper echelon of automotive collectors.

"We are not cheap and don’t intend to be," Butler explains. "We spent over a quarter of a million dollars improving the building with three–tier security that requires special codes for entrance, lots of cameras, plus extra fire suppression and insulation to keep the interior climate stable."

A beautiful club room has a big window for members to look in on the vast array of 100–plus vehicles while socializing in a comfortable setting. But the only access to the cars is through the coded security doors or when personally escorted by a staff member. 

"Most of the collectors want people to see their cars, not hide them," Butler said. "They like to share their love, not only for the design excellence but most importantly, for the story and legacy that each of these priceless collectibles embodies. They can do just that in our club environment," Butler said.

The club even offers a special app that allows the member to look at their car any time of the day or night with cameras focused on the vehicle floor. Not all members want their car out for public display, so the club also offers a private wing where access is limited to staff only.

Since the ultimate pleasure of a vehicle is not just in viewing, but in driving, the club keeps each vehicle charged, with air in the tires and ready for the car’s owner to take out for a ride. In addition, a recent partnership with Rush Motors out of Colorado allows club members to join a program that gives them access to drive up to a dozen classic and exotic cars.

We have one member who comes in from the desert every other weekend to drive his new Lamborghini," said Butler. "At the end of the weekend, he returns it to the secured part of our facility and drives his other car home."

The club’s luxurious facilities are open to groups for private gatherings, such as corporate events, birthday parties and auto club outings. The RSF event planners work with the organization to determine which vehicles are most appropriate for the gathering and how best to incorporate the cars into the event.

"Our goal is to create an environment where anyone who loves cars can associate with each other and participate in sharing their stories about the cars," said Butler. "It’s surprising to see how many groups are looking for event locations with classic cars as the centerpiece."

The arrangement with Rush Motors brings a fleet of a dozen exotic vehicle makers, such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and Ferrari, to the RSF facility. As a members–only club, Rush Motors offers several levels of participation that provide club patrons with concierge service to deliver a car of their choosing just about anywhere they want in Southern California or Colorado. Rush drivers will then pick up the car and return it to the safety of the club’s secure warehouse.

"Once you own a car, the thrill of it can wear off fairly quickly and you may not enjoy it as much, or just may want to drive a different car," said Alex Gurevich, founder of Rush Motors. "We offer the convenience of being able to enjoy the car without the headaches and responsibility of owning one."

By offering a membership approach, Rush is able to properly screen its clientele to ensure that the vehicles will be treated properly and returned in good condition for others to enjoy. The arrangement with RSF Motor Club and Storage allows Rush a base for much of its fleet to be enjoyed in sunny California during Colorado’s harsh winter months.

Top–flight storage and the ability to drive exciting vehicles year-round make the partnership between Rancho Santa Fe Motor Club and Rush Motors a perfect pairing for aficionados of fine automobiles. For more information about the Rancho Santa Fe Motor Club and Storage, visit rsf motor club, and for Rush Motors, rush motors club