BMW Classic Restorations Arrives Down Under

Cliff Chambers•16 September, 2024

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.

A statement from BMW Australia said Worthington BMW, located in Kariong on the NSW Central Coast, is the first official dealer in Australia to become a BMW Classic partner.

BMW Group Classic

The Australian initiative follows in the footsteps of the BMW Group Classic business established in 2016 and headquartered in Munich. The BMW-owned division is responsible for all activities concerning the history of the company and its four brands BMW, BMW Motorrad, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

BMW says the initiative has proven successful in Germany and elsewhere, with Worthington BMW joining 151 dealers worldwide in offering the BMW Group Classic program.

The operation gives owners of historic BMWs the opportunity to meticulously restore and maintain their vehicles, ensuring they remain roadworthy and timeless.

BMW e21

Experts from the BMW Group Classic department in Munich provide comprehensive technical training to Worthington BMW staff to ensure global standards are met, BMW said.

Wolfgang Buechel, CEO of BMW Group Australia, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “BMW’s heritage, dates back 108 years (and) is extremely important to our brand.

“With a vibrant community of classic BMW enthusiasts in Australia, including 15 BMW Clubs nationwide that have over 5,000 members, this service will be a one-stop shop for customers who want to restore or maintain their classic BMWs in top condition, ensuring that they continue to enjoy the brand’s Sheer Driving Pleasure.

To mark the launch, eight classic BMWs are on display in the Worthington BMW showroom, allowing enthusiasts and customers to get up close and personal with these timeless vehicles.

BMW Australia said it is committed to further expanding the BMW Classic program, working with its network of 48 dealers across the country.

Cliff Chambers

Writer & Head Valuer

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.

Nissan slammed over electric Skyline GT-R misstep

Nissan has unveiled what could go down as one of its most controversial creations, with a small team of engineers at the company turning an R32 Skyline GT-R into a full EV.

Broad Arrow Auctions Academy of Art University Collection

February 2025 Auction Preview: Temptations Galore in the International Market

There are temptations galore as the international auction scene ramps up for 2025, according to Retro Rides market analyst and serial tyre kicker Cliff Chambers.

Holden Monaro designer Mike Simcoe to retire after 42 years with General Motors

Australian automotive designer Mike Simcoe has announced his pending retirement after an illustrious 42-year tenure with at General Motors which saw him pen iconic designs for both our market and the rest of the world.

More inEuropean

Retro-styled Renault 5 named 2025 European Car of the Year

Officially the Renault 5 E-Tech, and also sold by sister company Alpine as the hotted-up A290, the EV hatch twins beat out the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster and Kia EV3 on the way to the European Car of the Year title.

Almost Great: Audi 100 CD

One more piston may have made the difference to this classic 1980s mid-size executive sedan from Audi.

Unicorn: NSU Ro 80

The NSU Ro 80’s innovative aerodynamic design and unusual rotary powertrain wowed an auto-curious public at the Frankfurt motor show, but a decade later the car hailed by is manufacturer as “the ideal car” was killed off, with less than 40,000 units made.