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National

Centenarian Cliff Byfield's love of classic cars is all the motivation he needs for a long, happy life

Cliff Byfield in his element - working in his shed.  (ABC News: Grace Burmas)

There's an abundance of sound seeping through the cracks of Cliff Byfield's tin shed.

The scraping of his walking frame against the concrete floor blends with the banging of his hammer bending thick aluminium.

Outside, an old Alvis car slowly takes shape, panel by panel.

At 100 years old, Mr Byfield's love of building classic cars from the ground up means he has no hesitation getting up in the morning.

In fact, it may be his best-kept secret.

"It's what keeps me going," he said.

"I've got to get up tomorrow morning because I've got a job to do."

"Most old people go 'oh I can't wait to retire'. Two, three years later they're being buried."

Cliff Byfield in his element - working in his shed.  (ABC News: Grace Burmas)

Mr Byfield was a teenager when he found himself in the Air Force as a gunner flying Lancaster bombers in World War II.

Despite surviving multiple attacks, two plane crashes and electric shocks, he considers his century-long ride a cruisy one.

"In all seriousness I've had a very easy ride and have been very lucky," he said.

"It depends on how you look at all of those problems."

He finished his coach-building apprenticeship when he returned home.

Cliff Byfield blows out the candles on his 100th birthday cake. (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)

It was that skill that earned Mr Byfield a reputation among Perth's classic car enthusiasts, after committing nearly 80 years of his life to restoring and building car bodies.

"I don't think I drove a car for many years that wasn't one that I had built," he said.

"I enjoy it to be quite honest.

"It may sound odd that someone is captivated by the work they do but I've always had a bit of a flair for design."

A rare craftsman

Mr Byfield's distinct flare and undying commitment was celebrated at his 100th birthday party, fittingly thrown by the WA Motor Museum, where three of his cars are housed.

Three of Cliff's lovingly restored cars are now housed at the WA Motor Museum.  (ABC News)

"He's working on cars in his backyard, he doesn't have the luxury of having a large manufacturing base," curator at the museum, Patric O'Callaghan, said.

"It's quite unbelievable what he has been able to achieve.

"You don't find these craftsmen in today's world … he has beaten those panels out by hand.

Patric O'Callaghan at Cliff Byfield's 100th birthday party.  (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)

"His knowledge is worldwide. People know about Cliff, and they know about his skill, and they come to him and ask him about how to solve problems."

With 15 handmade cars under his belt, it's his willingness to solve problems that keeps the spark alive for Mr Byfield.

"It's nice to know that the effort you've put in is being appreciated by somebody," he said.

"Not because I want any kudos, it's just that you've created something that you hope people would like and treasure."

Cliff Byfield has been restoring old cars for 80 years.  (ABC News: Grace Burmas)

When asked whether he had plans to slow down or stop anytime soon, Mr Byfield paused in contemplation.

"Well … that's a good question, how do you put this?" he said.

"[I'll stop] when they cart me off in a box."

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