TRASH TO TREASURE
I flogged junkyard bikes out my garage at 14 – now my hustle is £500m classic car EMPIRE & I cruise around in £900k Merc
He revealed his key to success - and what brings him true peace
A SELF-MADE millionaire began flogging old bikes at 14, now he runs a £500million classic car empire.
Rob Myers founded the world's leading car restoration garage and auction house, RM Auctions - but life wasn't always as glamorous as the £900,000 Mercedes he drives around in now.
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The self-made millionaire grew up in Chatham, Ontario and starting pitching in with work from the age of six to help support his family.
He joined his father, a factory worker, pouring yards of cement as a youngster.
Rob boasted he could pour cement "better than the 20-year-olds" before he had even turned 10.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Little Rob was determined to save up enough cash for a motorcycle when he turned 16 and break-away from factory life.
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He told : “I used to go around the junkyards and pick out bicycles.
“I’d bring them home, paint the frames, fix the wheels … I sold hundreds of used bicycles.”
The businessman told how he always "had that spirit" to go out on his own - which nearly gave his dad a "nervous breakdown".
NEW GARAGE
By the late 1970s, Rob had raked in enough cash to launch his own garage.
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He built up a client base of friends and family to begin with, restoring their cars and relying on word of mouth to expand the business.
After eight years of tireless craftsmanship and dedication, Rob was sparking interest from California with his talent.
He was stunned when a job came through from Australia and rolled out an auction service shortly after.
EXPANDING
Rob's once 40-foot-by-80-foot garage was now an award winning restoration and auction house, boasting a trove of classic beauties worth millions.
It even bagged six Best of Show awards at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
In 2015, the RM group amassed an incredible £467million in auction sales.
Rob also made the decision to partner with another prestigious auctioneer Sotheby's and secured a hefty deal.
“I think if my dad was around today he would realize I’ve made the right decision,” added the entrepreneur.
“It’s really cool to be a 60-year-old old guy that started in Chatham, Ontario, when I was 18-years-old and be able to sit here today and say our restoration shop is the finest in the world.
“If you do things because you love them, the money comes secondary, it’s the work that brings the happiness.”
It comes as Car SOS star Fuzz Townshend has urged drivers to look at a host of classic motors they can buy that could turn a profit.
The motor whizz, who hosts the popular show alongside Tim Shaw, is renowned for his knowledge and expertise on vintage cars, and has chosen a handful of enthusiast-friendly examples that might make a sound investment.
Plus, Bangers and Cash star Derek Mathewson showed of his car collection - including a classic MG.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The presenter, who runs the famous - a North Yorkshire-based, family-run historic car auction business - is well-known for his love of vintage motors.
Meanwhile, a former NFL star revealed how he now runs a £40,000 -a-week trucking business, after a devastating injury.
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