Nestled among established classic car dealer references like Kidston and Fiskens, a pleasant surprise awaited visitors in the main hall of this year's Retromobile show in Paris. It was definitely a contender for 'best of show' when it came to tastefully curated booths. The name James Chase, written in a stylish, Lotus Esprit–inspired seventies font on the back wall of the booth, didn't ring a bell, even to regular attendees who know almost every company and exhibitor at the annual gathering of the collector car world.
This makes sense, considering that Thomas James Hale and Max Chase Cohen used the start of the European classic car calendar to launch their new endeavor, James Chase Collection Design. Being based in both New York and Paris, they are at the pulse of both collector car markets and present at the coolest events on both sides of the Atlantic.
Their joint venture might be new, but both are known faces in the classic and sports car world, with years of experience and an excellent network within the industry and collector community. Tom cut his teeth working with iconic brands like Ferrari, Maserati, and McLaren, but later ventured into elite consulting for rare and historically significant automobiles. This is a calling that he has pursued for most of his career. His associate Max operated within the ranks of leading high-end car auctions and classic car purveyors and has an equally good intuition for the rare and exceptional within the automotive landscape.
A personal trait that unites them also shows in their eccentric business car, which they drive across Europe: a right-hand drive fifth-generation Maserati Quattroporte finished in Giallo with a blue leather interior. Legend says that the workers of the Maserati factory went outside to witness what kind of maniac had ordered this eccentric spec and was about to pick it up back in 2004.
This unique Italian luxury sedan with British history perfectly sums up the biggest strength of the duo – making the impossible possible. Whether it is the most sought-after version of cars placed in the classic car Olympus, vintage concept cars, spectacular one-offs, or just a really rare spec of modern super- and hypercars – these guys can source anything for their clients. Their research also doesn’t stop after finding the car. They like to dig deep into archives, rare books, and family records to unearth the entire history of the coveted object.
"We actually go out, meet the people involved, and visit the original factories. We don’t just rely on magazines or recommend a car simply because it’s currently trending on Bring a Trailer", underlines Tom. Beyond merely sourcing and documenting rare metal, Tom and Max act as strategic stewards for those navigating the complexities of high-value automotive portfolios. For family offices and asset management firms, James Chase serves as a knowledgeable resource, ensuring that cars are treated with the same professional rigor as any other asset class. In the fast-moving market of 2026, they provide the necessary perspective to future-proof existing collections, guiding everything from delicate generational transitions to the meticulous planning of an estate’s deaccessioning. It is a partnership built on continuity, protecting the client’s interests while bringing unconventional thinking to the table.
For the private collector, the experience is equally bespoke. James Chase operates as a trusted ally within the inner circle of the car world, offering a white-glove service that transcends the typical transaction. They don’t just find the impossible.They help owners refine and transform their collections to ensure they truly align with their lifestyle and long-term ambitions.
But James Chase doesn’t just see the car as an investment object. They are equally interested in curating more personal collections and can provide enthusiasts with an outstanding classic or sports car as their crown jewel and pride and joy. "We are car guys at heart and want to work with you as a car enthusiast. We live it, we breathe it. And we actually do travel to the end of the world to see these things" says Tom. Anyone who stopped by their Retromobile booth can attest that the duo is not exclusive at all: They were happily engaging in friendly conversation with every visitor and sharing the stories behind the gems showcased at their stand.
The car selection for their Paris debut perfectly illustrates the immense range of their expertise. Parked directly across from a late-1920s Mercedes 680 S was a Porsche 911 GT2 of the 996 generation. Though dismissed by many as the ugly duckling of the 911 lineage only a few years ago, the 911 of the early 2000s is currently evolving into a crowd favorite among a new generation of collectors.
This particular GT2 commanded a significant amount of attention at the Jameschase stand largely due to its truly exotic specification of Jungle Green over tan. Interestingly, the stately Mercedes also featured a green-and-brown color scheme, which created a subtle visual bridge across the booth and linked two opposite ends of the classic car spectrum. This choice of inventory underscores the core philosophy of Jameschase. While others might focus on standard colors and the most popular combinations, Tom and Max have made extraordinary and rare specifications their true specialty, proving that a sophisticated spec can be the ultimate differentiator in the world of high-end collecting.
But it wasn’t just the cars that made their booth stand out among the other exhibitors, who often squeezed as many cars onto their stands as possible just to use every square meter to the max. The space of the two Americans felt remarkably airy. The thick carpet and a piano, playing relaxed background jazz added to the subtle elegance of the booth. "You can see that standards and taste level that we're setting by seeing what is normal for us", says Tom. Inspiration for the booth came from Manhattan’s Halston House, where Andy Warhol was a regular in the seventies. Max and Tom tastefully curated their outfits to fit this vibe.
Just as they did last year, when they entered an almost hundred-year-old Amilcar in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the duo demonstrates an impeccable sense of cohesion. With James Chase, everything aligns: the car, the presence, the outfit, and the soundtrack. In a collector car business that can often feel somewhat uniform, this holistic approach allows them to stand out in the most pleasant of ways.
While I’m writing this article, they’re driving down from New York all the way to Amelia Island in Max’s beige-over-brown 1971 Mercedes 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet. The theme of the road trip? Early nineties East Coast bourgeois, complete with matching outfits and Ralph Lauren sweaters draped around their shoulders.
