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Australian automotive platform, Retro Rides, has launched a vehicle finance service targeting buyers of performance, luxury, collector and classic cars that may fall outside the lending criteria of mainstream banks.
Retro Rides Finance connects customers with a panel of more than 80 lenders, offering consumer and business finance options with loan terms ranging from one to seven years.
The service is positioned to address a segment of the market where securing vehicle finance can be more complex than a standard new-car purchase, with factors such as a vehicle’s age, condition, provenance, market value and intended use all influencing the options available.
Addressing a gap in vehicle lending
Retro Rides Managing Director, Cameron Jurd, explained that the service had been built for buyers who wanted a finance partner with an understanding of both the vehicle and the motivation behind the purchase.
“Enthusiasts don’t look at a performance or classic car as just another vehicle. It might be a car they have wanted for years, an important addition to a collection or a piece of automotive history they believe is worth preserving,” Mr Jurd said.
“Retro Rides Finance brings that understanding to the finance process. We know the vehicles, we understand the passion behind the purchase and we can connect buyers with lenders suited to their individual circumstances.”
Limited production numbers and a lack of comparable sales data can make some collector and classic vehicles difficult for generalist lenders to assess. Vehicles that have been modified, or that sit outside standard age thresholds, may also present challenges under conventional lending frameworks.
Retro Rides Finance has been developed to provide access to lenders willing to consider vehicles that do not fit within conventional lending categories.
Serving a diverse market
The service covers a broad cross-section of the enthusiast vehicle market, from modern European performance and prestige models to Australian muscle cars, high-performance imports, limited-edition vehicles, investment-grade collectibles and older classics.
“There is enormous diversity within the enthusiast vehicle market,” Mr Jurd noted.
“One customer might be looking for a late-model European performance car, while another could be pursuing a rare Australian classic or a vintage model they have been searching for over many years.
“These are very different vehicles and very different buyers, so a one-size-fits-all approach to finance is not always appropriate. Our role is to help customers explore the options available and find a structure that suits the purchase and their circumstances.”
Accommodating non-standard income structures
The platform is also designed for buyers whose financial circumstances may not align with conventional lending assessments. This includes self-employed professionals, small business owners, company directors and high-income PAYG applicants.
For self-employed and business customers, income may be drawn from multiple sources or structured differently from a conventional salary. Retro Rides Finance aims to help these applicants explore pathways that account for their broader financial position, subject to the assessment and lending criteria of the relevant financier.
“Many people within the enthusiast vehicle community are business owners or self-employed professionals whose financial position may be strong but not always straightforward on paper,” Mr Jurd added.
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“They may have multiple income streams, business assets or financial arrangements that require a more considered assessment.
“By working with a broad lender panel, we can help customers explore finance options that reflect both the vehicle they want to buy and the way they earn their income.”
Consumer and business finance options
Consumer loans are available for vehicles purchased primarily for personal use, with loan terms between one and seven years and a choice of repayment frequencies.
For eligible business customers, finance options are available for vehicles acquired for business use. These may include structured business vehicle finance and chattel mortgage arrangements where appropriate.
An integrated platform
The launch of Retro Rides Finance creates a more connected experience across the Retro Rides and RR Auctions platforms.
Buyers can discover vehicles through Retro Rides content and live RR Auctions listings, then investigate indicative repayments and explore finance options through a single network.
Customers can begin the process through the Retro Rides Finance website, where they can calculate indicative repayments, explore personalised finance options and apply online around the clock.
Mr Jurd described the addition of finance as a natural extension of the broader Retro Rides offering.
“We have always been about helping people discover, buy and enjoy amazing cars,” he remarked.
“Adding specialist finance is a natural next step. It gives buyers another practical way to pursue the car they really want, whether that is a modern performance car, a prestige vehicle, a rare collector piece or a classic they intend to enjoy for years.
“For many enthusiasts, the right car does not appear every day. When it does come to market, buyers need to understand their options and be in a position to act.
“Retro Rides Finance is about making that process clearer and more accessible, while connecting customers with a broad range of lenders through one convenient platform.”
Retro Rides Finance is available online at retrorides.com.au/finance.
Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by Nick Ross
