Indholdsfortegnelse for No 397 January/February 2025 i NZ Classic Car

Recently, as part of helping protect a one-of-a-kind automotive legacy spanning more than 75 years, Porsche has proudly certified Giltrap Porsche as New Zealand’s first Porsche Classic Partner, marking the start of an exciting new journey. This partnership brings exclusive factory training and support to the Giltrap team, enabling them to restore and protect classic Porsche vehicles with a level of care, precision and expertise never before seen in the country. To mark this milestone, we’re diving into their first classic restoration under this new accreditation, a rare right-handdrive Porsche 356 owned by long time Porsche enthusiast, Deb Simpson. FINALLY LIVING THE DREAM For Deb, the love for Porsche is deeprooted. “I don’t think you can call yourself a true Porsche enthusiast until you’ve owned a 356,” she says. Smitten…

Queensland, the land of sun, sand, and holidays, is a growing and developing area of Australia and the home of the 2032 Olympics. It’s also home to a deep-rooted car culture. Queensland’s car culture splits its time among classics from Australia; the US; Europe; Japan; and, of course, Great Britain. Some of these vehicles were obtained over generations when values were modest, while others were purchased in recent years from the riches the Queensland State remunerates to those who take risks. SEVEN82MOTORS There are a number of car-based attractions to whet the appetite, including a trifecta of car museums, automotive auctions, and displays. The first of these is Seven82Motors. It is the brainchild of Queensland local Ben Atkinson. Ben is a self-styled car fanatic who has been passionate about cars…

The A35 went into production in 1957 as a more powerful and facelifted version of the Austin A30 (1952–’56). They would be eventually replaced by the Mini in 1959, although the van version of the A35 would continue until 1968. The A35 came with a bonus 5bhp (4kW), which is bigger in percentage terms than it sounds, lifting the power to a heady 34bhp (25kW) and delivering a higher top speed and better acceleration. ‘Acceleration’ might give the wrong impression, but its speed could be increased from a standing start to 100kph in a patient 30 seconds, with the little 948cc engine topping out at 115kph a week or so later. That being said, the A35 sales brochure of the day bragged about the car’s ability to drive on the…

Half Century, Full Throttle By Alfa Romeo Owners Club of New Zealand PUBLISHED 2024. ISBN: 978-0-473-71143-6 NZ$100 PLUS SHIPPING What has 520 pages, hundreds of photos, and production quality to match the best books from anywhere? The Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of New Zealand’s (AROC) 50th anniversary publication, entitled Half Century, Full Throttle. Club members’ text and photos, brought together by a management team headed by past-president Tom Bruynel and benefitting from various professional services, make this a book of which AROC can be very proud. AROC New Zealand’s 600 members, most of who seem to own more than one Alfa, are spread throughout the country. They are supported by regional representatives who arrange events and generally keep the Alfa spirit and enthusiasm alive. Half Century, Full Throttle provides an…

It started with a letter from Peter and Leanne Johnstone, of Te Anau, in July 2024. Peter was obviously proud of the way his son, Jacob, and a mate, Riley Taylor, had turned a work experience opportunity at Geraldine Auto Restorations into apprenticeships for both. I was intrigued by Peter’s letter and made contact with Jacob, a Southland lad who is enjoying a job that is exactly what he wants to do, as he explains: “I’m now 18 and I started my panel beating apprenticeship back in 2023, so I’m about 18 months into it and hoping to finish it next year. They reckon on three years to do it, but it all depends how quickly you have your paperwork done.” Testament to being on target – and to his…

This car has been the subject of a four-year restoration, a year of which was spent solely working with fibreglass body experts in Auckland. David says that it was a pretty good body to start with and now it is top quality, and he is “very happy” with the result. We are previewing it here, as it reaches completion. A full feature will follow. David takes up the tale. “I’ve been a keen subscriber and reader of your magazine for many years, absolutely love it, particularly the diversity of the cars and people you feature,” he says, generously. “I was looking at the back issues page recently in one of the magazines and noticed that one super classic, in my opinion, has not been featured on your cover – at…

It would often be much later in life that the youngsters who fervently dreamt of owning one of these pedal cars could realise their dreams, even though few could now fit in them. Today, these iconic pedal cars for boys and girls are celebrated in a highly competitive race at the annual Goodwood Revival. With its own trophy, the Settrington Cup, the race is run along the pit straight. You can see the world’s cutest car race on YouTube, this year celebrating 75 years of the J40. My family’s car though – pictured on the facing page – is a little bit different. It is not one of your average, run-of-themill spot-welded examples based on the 1948 Austin A40 Devon, produced by the Austin Motor Company Limited. WORK FOR THE…

The big Southern Muster took place at Invercargill over the weekend 18–20 October 2024, with every model from 1964 to the latest electric version represented. It was a chance for Ford Mustang owners from around the country to celebrate 60 years of the Mustang, and they answered the call. “We had 157 cars in the show,” said Southern Mustang Owners Club president Mark Reidie. Participants enjoyed a host of activities, and the crowds flocked to ILT Stadium Southland for a well-attended public car show on the Saturday. Mark said that a record 2000 people attended the convention, which was last held in Invercargill some 12 years ago. Craig Borland and Diana Bang’s 1969 Ford 429 Mustang took the People’s Choice award for the Auckland Mustang Club. The impressive Shelby GT500KR…

Check out New Zealand Classic Car’s new website: classiccar.co.nz Every week, we upload new content from our 35 years of article archives onto our New Zealand Classic Car magazine website. Some uploads of the past few weeks include: 1968 Escort 1100: Ford’s adaptable Escort hugely boosted the tuning industry, and race and rally enthusiasts https://classiccar.co.nz/escort-services-1968-escort-1100-restomod/ Put several rings around it: A South African expat just loves his DKWs, and has plenty of them https://classiccar.co.nz/put-a-ring-around-that/ Revolutionary Suzuki Rotary: A rotary-engined Suzuki motorbike! One Kiwi fan has a brace of them https://classiccar.co.nz/1975-suzuki-re5/ Starring the Sandman: This Holden Sandman is more than just a TV star to its owner https://classiccar.co.nz/westside-story/…

Very few examples of the early Civic, a car that set Honda on the path to becoming a giant of the car world, remain road registered in New Zealand. Retired Tauranga owner of this example Graham Inglis is thrilled with his classic little Honda Civic, the first of 11 generations built by the company so far. The Civic became a household name. “It’s quite amazing the number of people who not only wave but come up to me in the street and tell me how much they like the little Honda and its colour, and then they want to start talking about it. A guy in our vintage car club wants to buy it and he has been pushing me a bit. It’s not for sale,” Graham laughs. Graham bought…

Ahappy Trevor Beard smiled when the internet trading site advised him that he’d bought his wished-for 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Coupe, early in 2018. Six years later, the restored Caddy was the bridal car at a mate’s daughter’s wedding, after Trevor had met his selfimposed restoration deadline just three days before the ceremony. “I got really sick,” he says, “and didn’t know if I was going to be here to finish the restoration.” That was more than two years ago. DEFINITELY A KEEPER The de Ville is the car that he says he’ll never sell. It’s very special to Trevor, who is a qualified mechanic by trade. He found the unique engine restoration method he devised to be good therapy for his recovery from illness. Happily, Trevor shows no…

This beloved annual event draws participants and spectators to revel in US car culture, scenic convoys, vibrant street events, and family-friendly fun for the 17th year. Whether you’re showcasing your prized car or cheering from the sidelines, Americarna 2025 is an unmissable experience. We are very pleased to announce our new naming-rights sponsor, Supercheap Auto, which will be adding some new and exciting elements to the event. WHAT IS AMERICARNA? Americarna is more than a car show; it’s a community-driven event where American car enthusiasts from New Zealand and abroad come together to share their passion. The week-long event features convoys, public displays, and celebratory gatherings across Taranaki. From classic muscle cars to hot rods and motorcycles, the event highlights the diversity and craftsmanship of US vehicles. Wednesday: Ōpunake Cruise…

Greg’s column Price On often sparks a bit of discussion and the vexing question of where to put inflexible licence plates on the likes of an E-Type Jaguar’s svelte nose, an Alfa Romeo’s dainty prow, or let’s not get started on where you put them flatteringly on the front of a Lexus or Audi. It’s something not easily resolved. – Ed. Sir, From Issue No. 395 Sept./Oct. 2024 What is Greg Price going on about, outlawing non–New Zealand made licence plates? Under the Road Code they have always been illegal, subject to a fine and, at one time, demerit points. See: www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/licensing-rego/number-plates/ Under Number Plate Offences it states: “Only plates issued by Waka Kotahi are legal, which means you can’t make your own plate. Displaying a non-approved plate or something…

I passed my driver’s license in April 1968, the day after the Wahine disaster. There were cracks in the roadway up on Murray Aynsley Hill in Christchurch, and that’s where the traffic cop started screaming and yanked on the handbrake. He drove the rest of the way back to town and gave me a pass because he never wanted to see me again! MY FIRST VW My first car was a Vauxhall J and it never went at all. The second was a ’39 Ford V8 sedan, which was a beautiful car. I sold it and then I bought it back. I put it off Dyers Pass Road [Cashmere Hills] because I was kissing my girlfriend at the same time as driving. It was worth it! But I remember running…

“Teapotland is a display of teapots that entirely fills the front yard of a house in Owaka” SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE Heading through Arthurs Pass via Lake Brunner and the picturesque town of Moana, we travelled along the foot of the Southern Alps on the Inland Scenic Route to Geraldine. Next, it was onto Wānaka and then to Invercargill, a must-stop location. There are way too many beautiful roads in the South Island to rank them. The scenery changed so dramatically from place to place. We had intended to miss the big cities, and, appropriately, the only places where we got lost were in Invercargill and Dunedin. But thanks to cellular technology and a shaken trust in Google GPS, we were able to meet up again. Fuel stops became a competition…

Notable at this year’s MG Classic – apart from the quality of the big fields – was the return of some famous cars from the past. Classic motor racing has returned with a vengeance, if the MG Classic is anything to judge by. Categories included Formula 5000, Sports Racing, Formula Libre, Sports Sedans (22 cars), Sybil Lupp Invitational – won by Robbie Halliday in his Ford Escort, Heritage Touring Cars (25 cars), Touring Car Masters and NZ6s, Formula First, Historic and Vintage, Historic Muscle, Classic 1 and 2 (35 cars), Historic Single Seaters, Formula Fords (35 cars), Pre-65s, and Super Mini Challenge. HVRA NEWCOMERS A big field of 25 HVRA members turned out for the MG Classic. Coordinator Bruce Dyer was delighted. “HVRA – Historic & Vintage Racing Association –…

Kaikōura played host to a gathering of many members of New Zealand’s Fiat 124 community over the Christchurch Show weekend in November. Organised by passionate Fiat owners Lyn Parlane and Ingrid Adams, the Fiat 124 Riunione is a biennial event which brings together owners of classic Fiat 124 coupés, sedans, and spiders from around New Zealand to celebrate the anniversary of the first production Fiat 124, which was released in 1966. The festivities this year started on Kaikōura’s Esplanade outside the Sudima Hotel, where 35 cars, including a 124 AC coupés, several 124 BC and CC coupés, classic spiders, and modern Abarth 124 spiders were looking their best for the biennial show and shine. People also popped the boot of their 124s to show their boot displays, which were judged…

Despite being just in his 20s, Christchurch-based Ben Skinner has already amassed several projects. Scattered around his father’s garage are a few classic motorcycles and a 1983 Honda Civic in various states of repair or restoration, awaiting parts or parts sourcing. Whenever it is too wet to ride his motorbike, Ben’s car of choice is his 1954 split-window Morris Minor. He first saw one at the age of 14 while walking home from school. Its quirky old-English styling appealed to him immediately, and he decided that he had to have one. Thanks to contacts provided by a friend, he purchased one within a couple of years. The fact that he was too young to drive the car was a trifling issue. The car was road-legal and, while waiting for his…

“He became immersed in the surfie lifestyle, living out of a panel van” US president Richard Nixon struggled through the Watergate scandal into eventual resignation. Elvis died, The Beatles broke up, and punk rock exploded onto the social scene, along with disco. Rock music thrived in the high schools and became one of the biggest influences of the time. In 1965, garage rock band The Spiders had its first hit single Why Don’t You Love Me. It was the resident band at Stage 7 Teen Club, run by the band’s record promoter, Jack Curtis of Mascot Records. Later known as ‘Nazz’, the band changed its name again in 1968, as another well-known artist had a band by that name. The new name was ‘Alice Cooper’, and the witch-like persona of…

TWO MOWERS TO BE WON THE PRIZE HUSQVARNA LC 142I WITH BATTERY AND CHARGER The Husqvarna LC 142i is an easy-to-use battery lawnmower with a 42cm cutting width and is suitable for mowing small and mediumsized lawns. This mower is very easy to start – all that is needed is to remove the bail stop and pull the bail down. The mowing of the lawn can be done on a single charge, and, with its compact design and ergonomic handle, the mower is easy to manoeuvre. Thanks to the folding and adjustable handle and the two integrated lifting handles, it is also easy to store and transport. Compatible with the Husqvarna 36V battery system. (Entries close 26/1/2025. All new, renewing, and existing subscribers at 26/1/2025 are eligible to win.) Gift…

Those 12 years were split evenly between the unique ‘Tasman formula’ for racing engines of up to 2500cc, and the final six years for the mighty Formula 5000s. The Tasman formula years typically coincided with late starts for the world championship, meaning that the world’s best were free to head down to this part of the planet to enjoy the delights of the Antipodean summer that easily trumped a Northern Hemisphere winter. NAME DRIVERS FOR THE ANTIPODES Jim Clark won half of the first six Tasman titles, with the others going to Bruce McLaren, Jackie Stewart, and Chris Amon when the support acts included world champions like Jack Brabham, Phil Hill, Graham Hill, Denny Hulme, and Jochen Rindt. It was a seriously big deal. And then everything changed. In 1969,…

I knew Graham White only as ‘Graham’ before doing this article on his model collection. Graham owned the hobby shop in Lower Hutt where I bought several die-casts in the late 1990s, when I started collecting models again. Graham stopped collecting and building models a few years ago, after spending about 30 years bringing the items together for displays in cabinets in two rooms of his home. One is a city scene and the other a public transport hub. Both represent his English heritage. He migrated to New Zealand from London about 50 years ago and “loves it”. I ask what the reaction is when visitors see his collection. “It doesn’t get so much attention these days,” he says, acknowledging that most will have seen the displays before. But his…

FERRARI MASTERPIECES AND HOMEGROWN HEROES Local heroes in the latter half of the ’50s came no bigger than tall laconic Cantabrian Pat Hoare, a Ferrari man through and through – except, it must be said, for a brief dalliance with a Maserati 4CLT-48 in 1955–’56, which brought little success. There are all sorts of stories suggesting that Hoare had a preferential arrangement with Enzo Ferrari, from assisting him in wartime days, when it is reputed that he protected il Commendatore and his factory. Whatever the truth, it is indisputable that Pat Hoare acquired two Ferrari Formula Libre racing cars at a time when it seemed impossible for anyone else to acquire one, and very reasonably priced too. The first one was a bit of a hybrid, being built at the…

1972 Plymouth Cuda TX9 340/4 It’s not a nickname! Plymouth proclaimed its no-nonsense muscle car as a ‘Cuda’ for all its 1970–’74 performance models of the popular Barracuda. You couldn’t get a Cuda with anything less than a 318-cubicinch (ci) (5211cc) V8. Cuda meant business! Tough, no compromising performance in an era where there was no substitute for cubic inches. John Carson first saw his TX9 340, four-speed Cuda in 2019, at the Whangamatā Beach Hop. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the ‘For Sale’ sign in its window and phoned its owner. Unfortunately, he was only interested in swapping for a 1959 Dodge pickup. John had a 2009 SRT8 Challenger, so no deal. It was six months later and John called the owner again, but this time…

Tattooist sponsor Taking Care of Pigment made for eye-catching naming rights at this year’s annual Dunedin Autospectacular. Again, the show didn’t disappoint, celebrating milestones including the Ford Mustang’s 60th, 110 years of Dodge, and 100 years of MG. Held indoors this year at the Edgar Centre on Dunedin’s waterfront on Saturday, 19 October, it enjoyed great support from the public, enthusiasts, and businesses around the South Island. As expected, the quality of preparation for the exhibits was to a very impressive standard. Organised by the Otago Classic Motoring Club and the Otago Early Falcon & Fairlane Car Club, 13 September is the date for 2025. No matter the weather outside, the familyorientated event always attracts big crowds to the trade stalls and a café, while this year, a new event…

Southland car builders/restorers/racers Barry and Marguerite Leitch had a lot to celebrate on 17 November, as their son, Brendon (28), and his Liepert Motorsport co-driver, Anthony McIntosh, drove their Lamborghini Huracan to victory in the Super Trofeo World Pro-Am finals in Jerez, Spain. The crew had scored a third the week before at Bathurst, Brendon’s first time at The Mountain. Brendon learnt his mechanical skills working in his father’s workshop, and it looks like the hours of go-karting paid off as well. From all of us here at Rusty Media, a big well done!…

Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler Valiant, and Hillman Hunter were just some of the badges spotted as Mopar owners converged in record numbers on Gore at Labour Weekend. Host club Mopars in the South made up by far the largest contingent, in excess of 60 cars from the Gore area. If Chrysler is your favourite, then there was a great array of models, with even an occasional English Chrysler example in the line-up for Saturday’s show. Organising committee spokesperson Sarah Arnold said there were 203 cars registered for the event, but well over that number turned up for the start of the rally and the 170km of touring through to Riversdale and around the Hokonui area, with packed lunches provided. The Gore A&P Showgrounds was the venue for the Sunday public…

A lot has changed in this issue of New Zealand Classic Car, meaning that we have few promised features to catch up on in Issue No. 398. We take a look at a very nice restomod job done on a Vauxhall Chevette, a tribute to the owner’s university days, and we feature his wife’s very tidy Chevrolet pickup with matching ’70s caravan. We finally get to the Leyland Mini Traveller that we promised, then over to a big green American ’67 Camaro, beautifully restored some years ago and still winning trophies at the Cromwell Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival. We look into the intricate world of repairing expensive GT and classic steering wheels with Outram specialist Gary McNeill and see some of the magic that he works on the…