Cliff Chambers
At age 14, surrounded by stacks of motoring magazines from the local junk shop, Cliff Chambers was warned by a concerned mother that he would ‘Never get anywhere knowing a lot about old cars.’ Seventeen years later when his definitive book, Making Money From Collectable Cars was published, she was proud to be proven wrong.
That was in 1987, but Cliff’s life was already revolving around all things automotive. From working part time in a panel shop while at university, he moved to motor industry consultancy roles and managing a Championship winning rally team.
During the 1990s he joined the classic vehicle insurance industry, at the same time becoming a prolific writer for magazines and motoring websites. Then came his ongoing contribution as one of the country’s leading vehicle valuers.
Away from work, automotive events and objects remain prominent in Cliff’s world. He has owned more than 40 cars now considered ‘classic’ and within his collection of motor-related items there remain some of those magazines acquired as a fact hungry teen.
Cliff brings to Retro Rides a blend of unique industry skills and a love of vehicles that will become more obvious with every contribution he makes to the site.
Latest articles
March 2025 Auction Report: Plenty to Like, But Some Prices Decline
Retro Rides’ Market Analyst Cliff Chambers has plucked the best from roughly 300 car and motorbike lots during March 2025, finding that while there was plenty to like, the value of some models has declined quite noticeably.
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Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford Falcon/Fairmont XA-XC (1972-79)
Ford Falcon XA-XC values have improved significantly, but these cars still don’t match the popularity of earlier XW-XY versions. Basic cars still don't generate enough money to justify high-value restorations and can often be stripped for any usable parts.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden HD-HR (1965-68)
Prices for Special and Standard versions of the HD and HR begin below $20,000, with utes costing around the same as sedans, but panel vans are scarce and 30 percent more expensive than passenger versions.
February 2025 Auction Report: It’s Still a Buyer’s Market
Retro Rides’ own Market Analyst Cliff Chambers believes buyers are the big winners based off the bargains obtained during 2025’s shortest month.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Datsun 1600 (1968-72)
When it arrived in the late ’60s, the Datsun 1600 boasted strong levels of standard equipment, a grunty four-pot engine, front disc brakes and independent rear suspension, positioning it closer to a BMW on paper than any of its Japanese contemporaries.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Dodge Challenger (1970-73)
When Chrysler in the US belatedly got around to building a proper Pony Car, it came in two sizes, with different length wheelbases and some of the most powerful production engines ever made. Collectively, they were the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda, a feisty duo which offered too little and arrived too late to take full advantage of the relatively short-lived Muscle Car era.
How To Check Out and Buy a Classic Car at Auction
According to the folklore surrounding automotive auctions, you’re best not to wave at a friend or scratch your nose during proceedings, or you might just buy a car. Today, it’s a different world where everyone plays by a new set of rules and it’s hard to do anything by accident.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Fiat 500 (1957-72)
As a country renowned for large families, Italy was hardly the place to be selling miniature cars. Yet, the most successful Italian model of the 1950s was the tiny Fiat 500.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Chrysler Valiant AP5-AP6 (1963-66)
Chrysler joined the locally-manufactured Australian family car market in 1962 with its radical R Series Valiant, but less than two years later had reverted to a design that was equally remarkable for its conservatism.
Broken Dreams: Australian Six (1919-24)
While we think of Holden and Ford as the pioneers of the Aussie automobile, back in 1919 there was an earlier attempt at building an Australian Six.