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
Top 10: Tips For Buying Your First Classic Car
Retro Rides’ Market Analyst Cliff Chambers has owned lots of interesting cars and helped other people buy plenty more. Here he shares advice that will be valuable to anyone in the market for their first Classic vehicle.
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Top 10 Homologation Specials From Bathurst’s Golden Age
How Australia and the Bathurst 1000 helped shaped the era of tarmac racing homologation specials.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden Torana LX SS V8 Hatch (1976-78)
The local motor industry was more than a little shocked in 1976 when Holden’s LX update of its mid-sized Torana included a stylish new hatchback body style. Versatility was the reason Holden had gone with the hatchback, expanding the Torana’s appeal and giving the car maker a player in a segment populated by Japanese models like Datsun’s 260Z 2+2 and Toyota’s Celica.
Aussie Auction Scene: September 2024 Auction Report
Ford Falcon XC Cobra V8 among a host of best buys in this month’s Auction roundup. During September, as clearance rates for residential property dropped to around 60 percent, activity in the market for classic vehicles held firm.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Jaguar XJ6 (1968-86)
The XJ6 Jaguar displayed in 1968 at the London Motor Show was an extraordinary car. The shape was low and wide and owed nothing to the ‘compact’ saloons that had driven Jaguar’s fortunes since the 1950s, yet this car was so obviously a Jaguar it was displayed unadorned and without badges.
World's Most Enthralling Junk Yard Goes to Auction
Motoring enthusiasts love the chance to poke around yards full of wrecks from years gone by, but hardly anyone has been behind the walls of a Los Angeles-based business previously run by eclectic collector Rudi Klein.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Alfa Romeo 105-Series Coupe (1963-77)
Bathurst in 1967 hosted an uneven battle between Ford’s new 4.7-litre Falcon GT and Alfa Romeo’s 1.6-litre GTV. The Alfas lost by half a lap but won the admiration of many enthusiasts, some of whom went on to become passionate Alfa owners in the years following that race.
BMW Classic Restorations Arrives Down Under
Australian owners of classic BMW’s now have a certified BMW Classic specialist to handle their vehicle restoration, service and maintenance work, following the appointment of Worthington BMW as the country’s first certified BMW Classic partner.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford Mustang (1964-66)
Launched at the 1964 World’s Fair, Ford's ground-breaking Mustang was never really intended to be a performance car. It began life as a low cost, stylish 'secretary's car' with six cylinders and a bland persona. But there was a V8 option. The short lived F-Code 260 V8 for the 1964 model year with the C-Code 289 arriving for the 1965 models.
Auction Results: Mecum Dallas Sale
Rare Shelby Sets Record And Big Money Paid For The Bandit’s Bandit