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 Tips for Buying a Used Nissan Skyline R31 (1986-90)
In the mid-1980s Nissan Australia was in a pitched sales battle with other local manufacturers Ford, Holden, Mitsubishi and Toyota, as well as rival importers. The company badly wanted a large ‘family car’ contender and in 1986 reconfigured the Japanese-spec Passage sedan to meet local needs. At the same time, it designed a competent and attractive station wagon version which Japan didn’t have.
Top 10: Cheap Cars That No Longer Are
Here’s 10 collectable cars that once ranked among the cheapest in the market but now cost more than high-performance or prestige models. Retro Rides Market Analyst Cliff Chambers looks at the stellar gains made by these 10 rudimentary models and explores the reasons behind their rise.
Design: How two tiny ‘winglets’ fitted to the 1948 Cadillac sparked a global styling revolution.
Our devotee of automotive history, Cliff Chambers, explains how a fighter plane inspired GM’s greatest designer to add fins to the 1948 Cadillac, sparking a design trend that captured the automotive world.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford XA Falcon GT Hardtop
Having watched as Holden’s two-door Monaro pinched the limelight and lots of sales, Ford could only wait until 1972 for its XA Falcon Hardtop to be ready for sale.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford Customline (1955-59)
Ford’s Customline was seen during the 1950s as symbolising success and authority. These cars were the preferred conveyance of established businessman, state and federal politicians, and were also by the wallopers to reel in speeding Holdens.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Chevrolet Camaro (1967-70)
February 1964 arrived just like any other month; except this time the entire US motor industry was forced to watch in silence as Ford’s Mustang dismantled their economic expectations.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Toyota Celica (1990-97)
After 15 years of conservative, rear-wheel drive Celicas, the model switched in 1986 to front-wheel drive and brought with it a sexy new shape. The 2.0-litre engine with fuel-injection and twin-overhead camshafts produced 103kW of power and the liftback SX came loaded with features including alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes and power steering. Most were optioned with air-conditioning and that…
Top Tips for Buying a Used Mazda MX-5 (1989-99)
Born in 1989 and with cumulative sales in late 2023 totaling more than 1.2 million, the Mazda MX-5 is the world’s most successful sports car. Today, the fourth-generation ND model remains true to the original NA’s ethos of being a lightweight, fun and affordable sports car, ensuring a MX-5 of any era should be on every driving enthusiast’s 'must have' list.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Volkswagen Superbug (1971-76)
Germany’s ‘People’s Car’ the Volkswagen Beetle appeared on the Australian landscape during the 1950s, where it battled the British designed and engineered Morris Minor for recognition as Australia’s most popular small car.
How To: Tell if your Car is a Classic
What makes a piece of art a masterpiece, a song a hit or a performance memorable? All of these require widespread awareness and shared opinion, factors that can also see your special vehicle deemed a ‘classic.’