The family of George Gillett, the Vail businessman who owns stakes in a variety of sectors including hockey, meat and skiing, is driving deeper into the car industry.

The Gilletts and John Elway's former partner Rod Buscher are set to purchase four car dealerships in Glenwood Springs. They bought the real estate for $11.2 million and are awaiting an OK from the carmakers, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet and Subaru, before they seal the agreement to buy the stores. The green light should come within 60 days.

"It's a great market and an expanding market," said Buscher, who is returning to the car business after several years - including a period living in Spain with his family - on the sidelines.

Gillett owns a pair of car stores in Silverthorne. His son Alex Gillett runs the auto operations and is the one behind the transaction with Buscher.

Neither Alex Gillett nor his father, the majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens hockey franchise, could be reached for comment on Thursday.

Gillett's Booth Creek Management is one of the owners of Greeley-based meatpacker Swift & Co. Other holdings include ski resorts and golf courses around the country.

Buscher and Elway, the former star quarterback of the Denver Broncos, went into the car business together after being introduced in 1989 by team owner Pat Bowlen. They sold the operation in 1998.

Buscher said he has no plans to bring Elway back into the fold.

patonj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2544