In a dusty Johannesburg CBD warehouse, hidden beneath years of clutter, ladders and forgotten junk, sat a rust-covered 1957 Karmann Ghia. To most people, it looked like little more than scrap metal destined for the scrapyard. But for 16-year-old racing driver Chloe Stuart, it represented something entirely different: opportunity.
That discovery perfectly captures the spirit behind Classic Cars by Chloe, a growing restoration business that is proving passion, determination and entrepreneurial thinking can go hand in hand.
Soft-launched in 2024, Classic Cars by Chloe was born from a practical challenge familiar to many aspiring racing drivers: motorsport is expensive. Between race entries, testing, coaching, media commitments and travel, the costs can quickly add up. Chloe and her father wanted to create a business that could help fund her racing ambitions while offering the flexibility required to pursue a demanding motorsport career.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees, but you can absolutely earn an income that works around your racing life,”.
Chloe says
That mindset has become the foundation of a business focused on finding neglected classics, restoring them, increasing their value and creating unique opportunities for fellow enthusiasts and investors.
Learning the Craft Through Classic Cars
Chloe’s journey into the world of restoration was heavily influenced by her experiences in racing. While spending time at Pablo Clark Racing, she encountered a Ferrari 250 undergoing restoration.
The sight left a lasting impression.
For Chloe, it wasn’t just a beautiful car—it represented a long-term goal. The experience shaped her philosophy: begin with affordable classics, learn valuable lessons through hands-on work, and gradually build towards restoring some of the world’s most desirable collector vehicles.
That strategy has allowed her to gain practical knowledge while steadily expanding her growing collection of projects.
A Diverse Collection of Automotive History
Today, Classic Cars by Chloe is working on an impressive variety of vehicles, each with its own unique story.
Among them is a rare BMW 633CSi, believed to be one of only around 34 left-hand-drive examples imported into South Africa. The car represents a significant collector’s item and highlights Chloe’s eye for finding vehicles with historical and investment value.
A BMW E30 Coupe is also undergoing a complete transformation. The vehicle is being stripped and rebuilt specifically for the BMW M-Performance Parts Racing Series, creating a pure driver’s machine designed to sharpen racing skills without modern electronic aids.
Meanwhile, a Rover P4 90 Series is slowly being brought back to life, preserving a piece of motoring heritage that might otherwise have been lost.
Perhaps the most ambitious project of all is the “LemonGhia.” Built from a second Karmann Ghia shell discovered in the same Johannesburg warehouse as the original find, the project aims to combine classic styling with modern endurance-racing practicality. Powered by a Nissan engine and developed for budget endurance racing categories such as iLamuna, the car promises to be one of the most unconventional machines on the grid.
And that uniqueness is exactly what Chloe wants.
Building More Than Cars
Behind every successful restoration is a team of experienced specialists helping turn ideas into reality.
Jean-Louis Maraz, the official Clerk of the Course at Zwartkops Raceway, oversees safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring every build meets competition standards. Christiaan van Schalkwyk contributes his expertise in bodywork and mechanical restoration, while Wayne Jacobs of Extreme Detailing ensures every completed project leaves the workshop looking its absolute best.
Together, they provide the technical support that allows Chloe’s ambitious visions to become reality.
A New Approach to Classic Car Ownership
What sets Classic Cars by Chloe apart from many traditional restoration businesses is its innovative business model.
Vehicles can be sold at various stages of restoration, giving buyers flexibility based on their budgets and interests. Chloe is also exploring project-share opportunities, allowing supporters and investors to participate in restoration projects and potentially benefit from future profits.
It’s a model designed to make classic car ownership and investment more accessible while creating sustainable growth for the business.
Chloe is realistic about the challenges involved.
Restoration projects require patience, expertise and time before returns are realised. But she understands that building something meaningful rarely happens overnight.
The Road Ahead
While many teenagers are still deciding what career path to pursue, Chloe is already balancing entrepreneurship, motorsport and brand building.
Her next venture is the launch of Racer Girl, her first fragrance, expanding her personal brand beyond the racetrack and workshop.
At the same time, she has received a warm welcome from South Africa’s Historic Tour community, where organisers are excited to see a young woman bringing fresh energy to the traditionally male-dominated world of classic racing and restoration.
Looking further ahead, Chloe has her sights set on restoring one of the legendary BP Nissan Primera Historic Touring Cars. The project remains on hold while she searches for the right funding partner, but given her determination and track record, it may only be a matter of time before another ambitious dream becomes reality.
For Chloe Stuart, every rusted shell represents possibility. Every restoration is another lesson learned. And every project brings her one step closer to building both a racing career and a classic car empire.
One barn find at a time.
