For many enthusiasts, restoring classic cars is about preserving history. For David Dyer, it’s about preserving something even more important – the skills needed to keep those cars on the road for generations to come.
When Glenn Ridge recently sat down with the founder of the Modern Classic Cars Foundation, the conversation quickly revealed that David’s story is about much more than beautiful restorations and bespoke builds. It’s about ensuring Australia’s classic car industry has a future.
“My father loved British sportscars,” David reflects. “We had Minis, MGs and Jaguars.”
That early exposure sparked a lifelong fascination with classic machinery.
“I always had a passion for fiddling with old cars. In my 50s, I gave up what I was doing and thought I would build a few cars for some friends. That got out of hand.”
What started as a hobby quickly evolved into something much bigger.
“From semi-retired we grew to 12 people, a restoration shop with plenty of customers and a full-time business.”
But as the business expanded, David discovered a challenge facing the entire specialist vehicle industry.
An Industry Facing a Skills Crisis
While demand for classic restorations remained strong, finding skilled tradespeople was becoming increasingly difficult. Across Australia, many specialist workshops are run by highly experienced owners approaching retirement, often with only a handful of staff.
“There are a lot of young people wanting to learn classic cars, but it’s usually a small shop owned by a 60-year-old who has one or two employees and the environment can be challenging.”
Rather than simply accept the problem, David decided to tackle it head-on.
The result was the Modern Classic Cars Foundation – an ACNC-approved not-for-profit organisation dedicated to training the next generation of specialist automotive tradespeople. The Foundation focuses on preserving the future of heritage, classic, muscle and specialist vehicles by creating pathways into the industry through structured apprenticeships and hands-on training.
“Apprentices are employed by the Foundation for a four-year apprenticeship.”
Today, apprentices are learning a variety of specialist trades rarely found under one roof.
“We currently have paint and panel, trimmer, mechanic and auto electrical, but we have been struggling to find engine machining.”
The Foundation’s model is unique because apprentices don’t simply learn theory – they learn while working on some of Australia’s most interesting and valuable classic vehicles.
Walk through the workshop and you’ll understand why the apprenticeship program is so valuable.
“Like many businesses we take on different projects. Our bread and butter is our MGB projects, which have various levels of build.”
But MGs are just the beginning.
“We currently would have about 30 different vehicles from 13 or 14 brands. We are also working on a 1980s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon we are putting an LS into.”
For apprentices, this means exposure to a huge range of marques, technologies and restoration techniques – from traditional craftsmanship through to modern engineering solutions.
It also reflects the philosophy behind many of the workshop’s most exciting projects: respecting the heritage of classic vehicles while making them more enjoyable to own and drive.
One of the standout examples is the stunning MGA Twin Cam-inspired build that features prominently among the Foundation’s showcase vehicles.
“We have a 1950s MGA, there is a local Sydney assembly history as well.”
Rather than a strict restoration, the car represents what David calls a modern classic – combining timeless design with contemporary comfort and performance.
“We strengthen the chassis, we put a 2.5 Mazda engine and manual gearbox in, then customise it with customer specifications.”
Those specifications can include everything from trim colours and bespoke finishes through to power steering, air conditioning, heated seats and even heated foot pads.
The engineering upgrades extend beneath the surface.
“We have aluminium honeycomb floors bonded in like a modern car.”
The result is a car that retains all the character and visual appeal of a classic MGA while delivering significantly improved performance, reliability and usability.
“It’s an alternative with old-school looks and modern performance.”
For enthusiasts considering a high-end sports car, David believes these bespoke builds offer something increasingly rare – complete personalisation and involvement in the process.
“The build cost is between $200,000 and $300,000 depending on specification.”
While that might sound substantial, buyers have the opportunity to work directly with the team, influence every aspect of the build and follow the project from start to finish.
“The build is competitive and you can be involved not only in customising but following the build locally and dropping in.”
Although the Foundation is focused on preserving traditional skills, that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past.
In fact, some of the workshop’s most intriguing builds embrace emerging technologies while retaining classic styling.
“Quite a little beast,” David laughs when discussing one project. “We have a Mini with 295hp, 400Nm of torque, a Tesla EV motor and 700kg of a car.”
“It’s an amazing concept.”
The vehicle perfectly represents the balance David is striving to achieve – protecting automotive heritage while embracing innovation.
What stands out most from the conversation with David isn’t simply the quality of the cars being built. It’s the sense of purpose behind them.
Every restoration, every restomod and every custom build plays a role in training the next generation of specialist tradespeople. Every apprentice learning their craft today helps ensure that the skills required to restore and maintain classic cars won’t disappear tomorrow.
At a time when the automotive industry is changing rapidly, the Modern Classic Cars Foundation is proving that preserving the past isn’t about standing still. It’s about investing in people, passing on knowledge and ensuring enthusiasts can continue enjoying classic motoring for decades to come.
For David Dyer, that’s the real legacy.
You can listen to the full chat on your favourite podcast platform or through the podcast page on our website: https://famousinsurance.com.au/podcast-with-glenn-ridge/
