Northcliff High learner races and restores to fund dream career
At just 17, Chloe Stuart is balancing school, racing, and a growing classic car restoration business, all while chasing her dream of competing internationally.
At just 17 years old, Northcliff High School learner Chloe Stuart is proving that age is no barrier to ambition, as she balances school, competitive motorsport, and her own classic car restoration business.
Chloe, founder of Classic Cars by Chloe, has combined her love for racing with entrepreneurship, restoring classic vehicles to help fund her dream of becoming a professional racing driver. “My passion for the sport is what keeps me motivated. Sometimes school and racing overlap, and I’ll study at the track, but I’ve learnt how to manage my time because I genuinely love what I do.”
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Her interest in classic cars was inspired by childhood memories of her father’s 1957 Karmann Ghia, a car she spent countless hours playing in while growing up. “When I found another Karmann Ghia to restore, it felt symbolic. It allowed me to reconnect with those memories while creating something of my own.”
Stuart is currently restoring several vehicles, including a BMW E30 Coupe that is being converted into a race car, and a Rover P4. She described the BMW as her biggest challenge because sourcing the correct racing components requires patience and extensive research.
Although motorsport remains largely male-dominated, Chloe said she has learnt to ignore those who questioned whether she belonged on the track. “Some people believed I wasn’t capable of competing against men, but I’ve learnt to let my driving speak for itself.”
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Her business also offers buyers the opportunity to purchase vehicles at different stages of restoration, making classic car ownership more accessible. One of her first restoration projects, the Karmann Ghia, was sold before completion to another enthusiast, allowing her to continue investing in new projects.
Looking ahead, Stuart hopes to compete internationally and earn a living as a professional racing driver, while growing Classic Cars by Chloe into a business that inspires younger generations to appreciate classic vehicles.
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