Indholdsfortegnelse for No 398 March/April 2025 i NZ Classic Car

Here is a brain-teaser – and this time something very different for our poster car in this issue of New Zealand Classic Car – especially for all those restomod fans out there: What blasts through a standing quarter-mile in 13 seconds, is quicker than many US muscle cars, and has a top speed of 235kph – or 146mph, for all you US fans? From a time well before Bonneville, the Europeans overcame the engineering limitations of car engine designs in the inter-war period by slotting in slow-revving monster aircraft engines. In this case, it’s a Hispano-Suiza HS-8F V8, bigger than many modern truck engines at 18,470cc! Early models of this engine with slightly less capacity, the HS-8B, were used in single-seater fighters such as the Nieuport and Spad biplanes in…

Our only F1 World Championship winner was surprised at the interest shown when he demonstrated a 21-year-old Brabham in Australia in 1987. Five years later, Denny Hulme spoke with Donn Anderson of his enthusiasm for historic racing. Denny achieved four podium finishes in 1966 with a Brabham powered by the Repco V8 and would finish fourth in the championship points. AUSTRALIAN REPCO V8 DEBUTS STRONGLY His debut outing with the Australiansourced engine was in a Brabham BT19 at the 1966 British Grand Prix (GP) at Brands Hatch, where he finished a promising second behind team boss Jack Brabham, also Repco V8 powered in his team car. The engine was off to a great start but in the next two GPs in Holland and Germany, Hulme retired with ignition problems. He…

GTA or Gran Turismo Alleggerita (Lightened Grand Tourer), was only given to a select few Alfas which fitted the bill for absolute lightened performance. During the first half of the noughties, Alfa created GTA variants of the 156 saloon and 147 hatch. Both of these have become not only coveted from within the Alfa community but also bonafide modern classics in their own right. 147 GTA BUSSO WOW FACTOR This brings us to the latter of the duo, the 147 GTA. With its now legendary Busso 3.2L V6 and flamboyant exterior, it wowed the specialist motoring press when new and continues to wow enthusiasts and owners like Matthew D’Souza to this day, largely because of that Busso V6. “While the 147 in its GTA guise is a beautiful hatch, most…

Latter from Michelle McGimpsey: 5 April 2024 Hi I have a great story for your magazine. My dad, who lives in Christchurch, has fully restored a 1975 Mini from a rusted heap to the most perfect condition and is very close to finishing. He has a log of all the hours and progress photos over the years. Can you please let me know if this is something of interest? Thanks Michelle Retired engineer Gordon McGimpsey has transformed a Mini 1000 after two years of hard work, cleaning, and scraping off years of road dirt and rust. Gordon and his wife Lesley now reside in a villa at a Christchurch retirement village where Gordon completed the Mini in the single, attached garage. It’s a space considerably smaller than the large garage…

We were recently contacted by Julian Paton, who recently purchased the oldest known surviving Land Rover in the world. As Julian explained, his purchase had two parts, the second being a novel fundraiser. “I believe it was a pre-production model sent out here to New Zealand to promote sales. It’s the 20th Land Rover built when production started in 1948, and it has been stored in a shed for some 40 years, undercover, down south. Its owner, Peter Marr, was very keen for it to stay in New Zealand, and despite keen interest from overseas buyers, it will remain with me in Auckland,” he said. Julian said that he had been trying to obtain the oldest Land Rover for some time and it appeared to be in sound running order.…

Agreat turnout in all classes and what a weekend of motor racing. My pick for the best turned out car has to go to Angus Fogg’s beautifully done Mustang, with Ewan MacPherson’s Anglia neck and neck. Ewan suffered a momentous loss of a right wheel when the axle cried enough, but all was repaired with luckily little damage to that pristine Anglia. A welcome surprise was Grant Sprague joining the Pre 78 Saloons in a famous car, the Mount Cook Ford FIA BDG Mk1 Escort that his brother, Gary, raced back in the day, adding to the historic flavour of the group. Bruce Farley, usually a front-runner in Pre 78s sat out this one, and the clutch looks well on the way to being mended for his trip to Teretonga.…

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: Back from the brink: Kerry Bowman soon realised that he had a massive job on his hands in restoring his 1968 MGB GT. https://classiccar.co.nz/back-from-the-brink-1968-mgb-gt/ A video of Bob’s Bambina: Bob McMurray has a Fiat 500 F, and its restoration is one of those that has ended well. https://classiccar.co.nz/bobs-bambina/ Lunch with … What Rodger Anderson did with a Mini points to giantkilling talent http://classiccar.co.nz/lunch-with-rodger-anderson/ A star in their eyes: There is a version of this car that was a bona fide American muscle car – however, this car is not one of those.…

Atrend gaining momentum is the level of interest in classic car ownership/restoration occurring among younger enthusiasts. I’m talking about the 20-something group who weren’t around when their chosen classic was made! Even more encouraging is the fact that, in this case, the car is English, and not the expected American-sourced classic. It is a well-travelled XJ6 Jaguar. Readers will note that the owner of this quite tidy Jaguar, Jacob Johnstone, is the same young apprentice engineer from Geraldine Auto Restorations who we introduced you to in the previous issue of New Zealand Classic Car, Issue No. 397. In that story, he was about to set off from work for home in Te Anau and Christmas with his family on his restored David Brown tractor, accompanied by workmate and fellow apprentice…

“Growing up in New Zealand in the ’70s and ’80s, everyone had one” Growing up in New Zealand in the ’70s and ’80s, everyone had one, had parents or siblings who had one, dated someone who had one, or had won an HQ in a poker game: they were everywhere! I remember sitting in my high school classroom in 1986, watching videos as part of a defensive driving course. As a car enthusiast, I noted the plethora of Holden HQs in the safety videos. From memory, Holden sponsored the programme by supplying the cars. The instructor pointed out that in the making of one video, the stunt drivers nearly caused an actual accident when one stunt driver aimed at his colleague coming the other way in a red HQ. The…

“UP TO A THUMPING 395CI (6473CC) V8 CAMARO DELIVERING A RUBBER-MELTING 375BHP (280KW)” After six generations of what has become a memorable range of US muscle cars, followers of the ‘bowtie’ are just as enthusiastic about their Camaros as any Mustang owner. The Camaro, Ford, and Mopar rivalry is as strong as ever, and it has also been a key factor in saving many of these cars from the crusher. The Camaro’s production ended in 2002, and the name was revived in 2010 for a new but familiar shape. The sixth-generation 2015 model, using the General Motors (GM) Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac ATS, was due to end production in late 2024 at GM’s Lansing, Michigan, plant. YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS Tennis star John McEnroe’s memorable outburst is also…

At the dawn of motoring, largedisplacement aircraft engines were sometimes substituted for less original motors. Count Louis Zbrowoski’s ‘Chitty Bang Bang’ cars were immortalised in Ian Fleming’s children’s book and movies, while ‘The Beast of Turin’, a massive 1910 Fiat 4C Tipo S76DA running a 28.4-litre airship engine, still delights crowds with its ground-shaking power and spectacular exhaust flames. The subject of this feature, Allan and Martin Dippie’s beautifully prepared Delage CO2, had people grasping for their ears and running to view it as he fired it up at the 2023 Cromwell Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival. It’s a huge attention grabber and a great slice of automotive history. FRENCH LUXURY AND SPORTS MANUFACTURERS Our story starts back in those early motoring days. On 29 January 1886, German engineer…

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By Steve Holmes PUBLISHED 2024 BY DAVID BATEMAN LTD ISBN 978-1-98853851-8  $59.99 RRP Steve Holmes has been a writer and motor sport historian for more than 20 years, recording New Zealand’s diverse motoring scene on two wheels and four. New Zealand’s motor racing history has its own unique flavour; we often earn more than our share of fame, given the size of the population. Holmes’ latest book, Kiwis at Speed – New Zealand’s Motor Racing Legends Tell Their Stories, deals with tales of the past 40 years. It is the first book that focuses on a group of well-known drivers whose careers were mainly in New Zealand, with brief forays overseas for some. Those forays often left their mark, thanks to remarkable driving talents. All these characters have fascinating tales…

On the southern fringes of the largest population centre in Aotearoa New Zealand, Auckland experienced the establishment of some of the largest heavy industries in this country from the 1880s. Ōtāhuhu was the epicentre of this blue-collar evolution. Early industries included the Ōtāhuhu iron works and Lowe & Fearnly brick works in the 1850s, and later came the huge Westfield Freezing Works at Southdown and the Hellaby meat works. The other big player in this mix was the establishment of the mega-giant Otahuhu Railway Workshops in 1927. GREAT SOUTH ROAD The single biggest factor in this rapid industrial growth was undoubtedly the building of the Great South Road. Unfortunately, the origins of the road and the motivation for its development are somewhat tarnished by the aspirations of the British and…

What a great turnout at Hampton Downs over the weekend of 23–25 January, with around 200 entries in all classes making the starting line. The meeting celebrated David Oxton’s motor racing career, focusing on his great drives here and overseas in the Begg FM4 in the ’70s and ’80s. His Atlantic Series Ralt RT4 was at the track for David to give demonstration runs in, in what he describes as his favourite racing car. Oxton competed in the car in Canada in the 1977 season and in the Formula Pacific series back in New Zealand that year. He went on to win the series in the 1980–’81 season and the New Zealand Gold Star for the fourth time in the 1981–’82 season, before switching to touring saloon car racing in…

Jacob Johnstone, and his support crews of Riley Taylor and Wayne O’Donnell in their respective Land Rovers, made it home in time for Christmas 2024 from Geraldine. It only took 33 hours and around 590km, and what a trip it was. Back in our previous issue of New Zealand Classic Car, No. 397, we ran the story If You Don’t Ask, about two young apprentices at Geraldine Auto Restorations. Both lads are from Te Anau, and the aim was to get home for Christmas, the only catch being that Jacob would be at the wheel of a nicely restored classic David Brown tractor. A long and enjoyable couple of days, as Jacob recalls: “We left Geraldine on Friday the 20th December. The tractor went like a clock. I didn’t even…

Set against the stunning backdrop of Queenstown’s Ayrburn historic precinct, the inaugural Ayrburn Classic Festival of Motoring (21–23 March 2025) promises to be an unmissable event for car enthusiasts and those seeking a motoring event unlike any other in New Zealand. NEW ENTRY CLASS A new class, Pioneering Vintage (pre-1940), has been added to the car show line-up in recognition of the special nature of these survivors from the early days of motoring history. From these vintage treasures to high-performance supercars, the Ayrburn Classic will bring together a diverse collection of vehicles. ENTRY DEADLINE EXTEND The deadline to enter the car show has been extended to 28 February so there is still time to get your classic into the mix. PUT A FRASER IN YOUR GARAGE! In keeping with the…

It’s the latter 124 coupé variant that is the focus of this wee tale, as New Zealand has quite the niche following of this sprightly and stylish Italian two-door. The 124 Sport Coupé was styled by Mario Boano, as in the chap behind the Ferrari 250 GT Boano, for instance, hence the name. He clothed the 124 in textbook ’60s coupé lines, which were 14mm shorter than the saloon it was based on. From 1967 to 1975, the 124 Sport Coupé was split into three model eras, the AC (1967 to 1969), the BC (1969 to 1972), and the CC (1972 to 1975). All were powered by a sprightly twin-cam four-cylinder engine designed by Italian engineering icon Aurelio Lampredi. These ranged from 1.4 to 1.8 litres and most came with…

The ‘grand tour’ was not, as some crazy car people might think, invented by Jeremy Clarkson and his pals when thinking up a new title for their TV programme. Indeed, the development of the grand tour dates back to the 16th century and was most highly popular in the 18th century, when grand tourists, primarily from the UK, set off to explore the cultural wonders of Europe, and in particular Italy, returning home with mementoes and souvenirs of their journey. The expression itself, ‘grand tour’, was first used by Richard Lassels, a Roman Catholic priest and travel writer who coined the phrase in his book The Voyage of Italy, first published in 1670. ITALIAN LAKES, BELLISSIMO! And, so it was that a new intrepid band of grand motorists set off…

Whether this is actually an MG is not a question that troubles this car’s owners, MG Car Club Auckland captain Paul Walbran and his wife Bronwyn. Even though they are ideally placed to see their car’s obvious differences from most of the other MGs – and there were more than 90 of them on the waterfront at Saint Heliers in Auckland on the day. They had gathered together as the finale of a year-long programme of club events celebrating the marque’s 100th anniversary. For a start, this MG is an electric vehicle (EV), but then so are many other modern MGs, of which there was a smattering at the display. It’s not unusual for owners of old MGs to also have a modern MG in their stable. They have made…

When we retired to Queenstown 10 years ago, it was our intention to collect a few classic cars — but where to put them? It was a good opportunity to think outside the square and do something different that would add a whole lot of extra appeal to just owning a few old cars. And, so we built the ‘Car House’, just a stone’s throw from our home. AN INVITING ATMOSPHERE WITH A TWIST The layout is two bedrooms and a study upstairs. Downstairs is a lounge, kitchen / bar, and space for 11 cars. The theme is somewhat funky, with cars, motorbikes, and all sorts of paraphernalia, which has set the scene for social occasions. The caterers set up in the garage, and the main entrance is used for…

In New Zealand, only one club specialises purely in homebuilt cars. Yes, many other clubs dabble in it, like the hot rod clubs. But most of their vehicles are existing cars that have been customised, with only a scattering being built from a kit or a jumble of parts on a garage floor. The Constructors Car Club was formed in 1988 and is the only club catering specifically for homebuilt and kit cars. Despite new and more stringent rules, the club believes that anybody can still build their dream car, whether they start with a pencil and a T-square or buy a kit in a box. Any engineering problem has a solution. Having been a part of the Constructors Car Club since its inception in the late ’80s, it is…

The 31st Kumeu Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival was an absolute mustsee for car enthusiasts, packing the Kumeu Showgrounds for three days, with thousands of classic cars, hot rods, and visitors over the weekend of 17–19 January. PARADISE FOR GEARHEADS With around 3500 stunning vehicles on display both indoors and out, the show was a paradise for gearheads and vintage car lovers alike. The atmosphere was electric, with entertainment, trade and promotional stands, a fantastic vintage caravan display, and bustling swap sites. The variety of cars – from beautifully restored classics to custom-built hot rods – was truly impressive. FUN FOR THE FAMILY The event also catered to families, with a well-organised food hall and plenty of attractions to keep everyone entertained. The massive turnout proved the enduring popularity…

Cromwell rocked with the town’s annual Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival this year. The weather is normally brilliant, the variety and quality of cars, pickups, and motorcycles are always brilliant, and the Friday-night cruise this year was – OK, yes, it was brilliant! It was inundated, with over 200 cars, including classics and hot rods of every description. The remainder of the entrants arrived Saturday, and the forecast rain thankfully disappeared overnight. Some 650 cars parked and polished, with sun shades set up and everyone relaxing for a great day of checking out some stunning machinery. There were some grumblings about the People’s Choice award. Well, that’s what happens when there are few votes. Perhaps it’s time for a best in show award chosen by entrants. If we could…