Indholdsfortegnelse for No 400 July/August 2025 i NZ Classic Car

What an event the Ayrburn Classic has become, something that no doubt will be a real magnet for car enthusiasts from all over. 20-23 February 2026 is shaping up to be something special, then you can’t miss the opportunity to promote your talents with this festival. Where else can you get such a range of great food and beautiful cars? What a setting, all within a short walking distance. CHRIS AMON MEMORIAL As we go to print, the Bulls Historical Society is discussing with Jonathan Paape, the date when a bronze statue of one of our own Formula 1 greats Chris Amon, will be unveiled in his home town. The society is also looking at funding for the creation of a display room honouring his achievements. We will have more…

In 1957, The Motor, a respected weekly British motoring magazine, described the Citroën DS19 Goddess as the most complicated car made anywhere in Europe and the most comfortable car made anywhere in the world. This extraordinary French car was still wowing the world 68 years later. Celebrating the car’s 70th anniversary is appropriate, given a design that still looks advanced today and is technically so complex as to be frightening. DEDICATED CITROËNVIE IN NEW ZEALAND Talk to owners, and they are usually forthcoming about the car’s reliability and soothing ability to mix with modern metal. They agree with the maker’s claims at launch that this was the car of the future for the roads of today. Current New Zealand owners like Neil Tolich and former saloon car exponent Jack Nazer…

At the time of its mishap, the distinctive white car #15 had been campaigned since 2001 by Canadian champion ice racer, Jack Ondrack, supported by a team of Southern race mechanics. There are days and many long nights spent fixing problems, such is the fickle nature of motor racing and long-time friendships are made. Jack had sent the TVR Tuscan V8 to New Zealand in parts for Riversdale car constructor/restorer Greg Elder to build for classic racing and maintain in between seasons. A saloon car racer up until a few years ago and alsoy involved with Inky Tulloch’s Australasian Truck Racing championships, Greg brought a lot of expertise to the team. THE CANADIAN SCENE These days, Jack calls Edmonton, Canada, home. For some years now, he and his wife Esther…

“Its stunningly sensuous body, created by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro” My wife and I went to an Alfa Romeo club get-together recently at European car connoisseur, Brian Webster’s home, and he took us on a tour of his garage. I call him a ‘connoisseur’ because Webster’s collection of European classics indicates the sophistication and discernment of a wine aficionado who can taste the difference between a Barolo Riserva Giacomo Borgogno & Figli and a Chateau Latour. But Webster is no perfumed dandy. He is actually a big, rugged retired dairy farmer! AURAL DELIGHT TO THE SENSES When he nosed his gleaming champagne-hued 2002 Maserati 3200 GT out of the shed, I was enraptured. Its stunningly sensuous body, created by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro, stood out even among the…

Many kit sets are simplified examples and lack real detail, being many times smaller than the real car they depict. Intricate things such as the oil and cooling systems, ignition leads, overflow tanks and chassis mounts, all add to the detail, and they are exactly what Tony enjoys adding to his work. THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS One of the biggest challenges is replicating the finish of real metal finishes using paint, and it is extremely difficult, so Tony has gone one step further and lathes, shapes and solders overflow tanks and intake trumpets from metal perfectly to scale. There is no substitute for the real thing, especially in classic race machinery, which is what drew Tony in as a kid, as he recalls. “The exposed nature of everything…

The 911 had its rivals during the ’70s, and one was a surprise. The Datsun 240Z turned the sports car scene on its head for performance, handling and reliability at a bargain price compared to the pricier Porsche. The other obvious road rivals were BMW’s 3.0 CS/CSL and Mercedes-Benz’s 280 SL. On the racetracks, BMW’s CSL of Hezemans and Quester won the European Touring Car Championship in its first time out in 1973. A SURPRISING RIVAL Often overlooked as a direct rival, but a success story back in the ’60s, was the Lotus Elan. Especially in 26R racing form, the little plastic fantastic from Hethel scooped the British Saloon Car championship in Jack Sears’ hand in 1963, with Jim Clark following suit in 1964. UK Ford hero Alan Mann took…

Historian and author Richard Waugh has written (abridged below), updating progress on two big events coming to the city. A working group has been surprised by the number of British and European marque clubs in Canterbury, 70-plus clubs, as Richard explains. “Hi Quinton Here in Canterbury, I continue to do work on the new ‘Canterbury Brit & Euro Classic Car Show’. Our inaugural event will be on Saturday, 7 March 2026, at the former Wigram RNZAF Base (the large park area adjacent to the National Air Force Museum). We are making steady progress, have an incorporated society, and good support from the 70-plus British and European clubs/associations/groupings in Canterbury and South Canterbury, etc. I am hopeful of 600-plus cars. We are now working on the financial model to ensure free…

Modern cars, especially electric ones, are becoming increasingly disposable items, like takeaway containers or mobile phones. Sports cars have always been a niche market. They may even be approaching extinction, with companies like BMW and Toyota, or Toyota and Subaru combining to give us the new Toyota Supra/BMW Z4 or Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ. CREATING INDIVIDUALITY If you now want to have something unique, you either have to look back at the classic car market or build your own. Fortunately, building unique low-volume or bespoke cars goes as far back as the birth of the automobile. It was people, generally blokes, spending hours building cars in their sheds that gave us an automobile history. Once these industries turned into manufacturing giants and started turning out cars in the hundreds of thousands,…

PETER’S TARGA FIAT Built in 1969 by well-known Auckland fabricator Peter Bruin, this car has done well to now appear as it was when originally built. It has seen plenty of action, and it’s a credit to those who caringly brought it back from the brink of extinction in their ownership. DUAL PURPOSE Built for either the racing track or the road, it has put smiles on the faces of its owners. Dave Rickerby used it on the road, but admitted needing a bit of opposite lock when slippery roads were encountered. His next birthday will be one that starts with an eight and ends with an Ooh, so he is thinking, maybe he could settle for a less exciting car now and could part with the Targa Fiat, which…

Fifty Ferraris, one vineyard-packed weekend, zero interest in fuel economy. Wairarapa roads were ideal for a proper drive, and we made the most of them. Vineyards were central to the weekend. Some came for the tastings, some for the drive, others just to arrive first to get the best parking. Most surprising of all: no one got lost, which must be a club first. Then again, Ferrari owners aren’t known for following instructions. Saturday afternoon featured an informal park-up at the Copthorne Hotel. There was no time to polish off the bugs and road grime, but the big crowd that gathered didn’t seem to mind. There were plenty of photos, admiring looks, and the usual questions: “What’ll she do, mate?” “How much did that cost ya?” Bet that’s hard on…

HOLDEN CLUBS, FEDERATION, AND NATIONALS The Holden Club of Canterbury (HCC) was founded in 1978. One of its founding members, Ian McDougall, is still active and was at the nationals with two cars. The club currently has 40 members, with over 60 Holden cars. It is the fourth time the club has hosted the nationals. Steve Cooper is president of the HCC and chairman of the 2025 national organising committee. Vice Chairman is Ed Beattie, who, along with their team, was the driving force behind organising the 2025 19th nationals. Ed entered two cars and is a life member of the Otago Holden Enthusiasts Club. Ed’s immaculate 1972 Monaro was New Zealand Classic Car issue 398’s cover car this year. Ian helped set up the New Zealand Holden Federation (NZHF),…

TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST Next stop is the Nürburgring again, one of the highlights of the trip for me. Three laps in a Mondeo while raining back in 2006, not quite as much as I required. My personal goal was a ‘bridge-to-gantry’ lap time under 10 minutes, which shouldn’t be a problem in the 930, but the main scare of course was I’m technically not insured while on the track, so easy-does-it was the plan. Yeah right! I only got in three further laps before closing, but recorded a 9min 47sec, then a 9min 21sec, finishing with a 9min 13sec despite many motorcycles holding me up. With fewer bikes, newer tyres and not so much weight in the car, I could easily get well below the 9-minute barrier. One…

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In total contrast, we had to pause to examine the 68-year-old, unrestored, albeit superbly original Citroën DS19, front mid-engined, front wheel drive saloon for which Neil holds special admiration. All these years later and you have to admire this sensational design with its brilliant French flair. RAY’S DAILY DRIVER Neil’s example is believed to be the oldest, unrestored right-hand-drive, British-built DS19 still on the road, anywhere in the world. Imported to Christchurch in 1957, during the first 18 months of its life, it was driven by Ray Archibald, whose motor dealership held the Jaguar, Dodge and Citroën franchises. Ray won the 1962 and 1963 NZ saloon car championships in a 3.8-litre Jaguar but liked driving the DS for regular road use. Years later, Tolich tracked down the Citroën to rural…

Most recent Ford Escort restorations, whether they are Mark 1s or Mark 2s, are usually of the two-door variety, along with a few vans. David Lawson has chosen a different path with his car. He bought his 1974 Mark 1 Escort 5 years ago following a restoration on his MG Midget. The Escort had some appeal, as some years ago, his grandmother bought a new Mark 1 from EW Tappenden, a Ford dealer in Tauranga. His father worked for various Ford dealers around the country as Parts Manager, so the Ford influence was strong. SOMETHING DIFFERENT A 4-door Escort with an automatic gearbox was a good start, but not the direction he wanted to take it, as David wanted to restore it to showroom condition but with GT specs. After…

With a deep sporting and racing heritage, one of the most rewarding drives of any sports saloon/coupe, each M3 generation has its fair share of fans. One generation coveted for more than 20 years now has been the E46. For many, it represents the last of the old school analogue M3s. “It is widely regarded as the best M3 made,” says Roland Dubek. “It hit the sweet spot in a time where there was enough technology to make it an advanced, well-handling vehicle to drive, yet analogue enough not to be full of electronically assisted this, that and the other.” LAST OF THE NATURALLY ASPIRATED SIXES The E46 was also the last M3 to feature a naturally aspirated powertrain. “It was the last of the normally aspirated in-line six cylinder…

This year, Beach Hop celebrated its largest ever attendance of over 2025 vehicles. More cars, more people, all to see its inventor, the Wizard of Whangamatā, retire and pass the mantle to the next festival coordinator. Before Repco Beach Hop 25, local rock ’n’ roll club Coastal Rockers hosted an annual dancing event with clubs from the Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Waikato congregating in Whangamatā for the weekend, with a dance on Saturday night. Attendees commented that there was nothing to do during the day. ONE OF THE ORIGINALS A group was established to organise the 2001 event and create activities. Included in this group was Noddy Watts, a self-described ‘hot rod and car enthusiast’. He and others organised a parade of one hundred classic cars and hot rods…

There’s something uniquely Kiwi about the New Zealand Corvette Nationals. This annual gathering of two-seater thunder and smiling faces shifts locations and styles. The Nationals roll on, not just as a car event, but as a celebration of community. CORVETTE CULTURE Corvette ownership can start at $20,000 and stretch to over $200,000, with rare classics fetching even more. At the Corvette Nationals, you’re not judged by your wallet, but by your attitude, how much you love your car, driving it, and how much fun you’re willing to have. No one cares what’s under your bonnet if you bring good energy and a willingness to participate. Of course, being strictly two-seaters with boot space, Corvettes aren’t ideal family hauliers. That tends to keep the demographic tight of enthusiastic owners, usually between…

Every second year, Wheels At Wanaka (WAW) alternates at Easter weekend with the other highly successful Wanaka event, the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow. General Manager of the WAW event, Allan Dippie, was one of the people who founded the event back in 2019. We recently featured his 1922 Delage, Hispano Suiza. He also took part in the Ayrburn Festival of Motoring, winning the People’s Choice award. We also featured his extensive tractor collection. He is a man who knows his tractors! ANYTHING WITH WHEELS Wheels at Wanaka is described on its website as ‘an all vehicle, all machinery, history-in-motion vintage fair. Vehicles include steam engines, tractors, farming heritage, cars, motorbikes, trucks, earthmovers and heavy machinery. It is a public festival and motoring event, but it’s also a snapshot of modernity,…

It is rare to discover a racing car that has spent many years on the track, now returned to road use, given the bumps and stresses of circuit motor racing. Even rarer to find a car seriously modified in its day, now back in pristine condition. and Canterbury enthusiast Toby Dimmock’s amazing 1974 Ford Capri Mark 1 GXL is a real head-turner. Ford facelift its Capri for 1971 for the Mark 1 launched in 1969. A highly successful car for Ford, it sold more than 400,000 units in its first two years. Toby’s car has the 3-litre Essex V6 fitted and a four-speed manual gearbox. The giveaway at the front is the dual headlights. The thump of that V6 is just part of the character of these cars, which made…

Good for the soul, a dose of Hemi Orange The brainchild of Chrysler managing director David Brown, the Charger had a significant impact on Valiant sales in 1971. In 1969, Brown conceived the idea of a more compact version of the VH, transforming Chrysler’s traditional image. A lighter car could be developed for motor racing, boosting the prestige of winning at Bathurst. Australians were now seeking cheaper and smaller cars, and the VH fell short. Slightly longer than the HQ Holden that arrived shortly after its launch, the VH range of new cars was deemed not particularly attractive and less modern than the HQs. GAME-CHANGER When the Charger launched a few weeks later, its impact was immediate. “Hey Charger!” became an instant advertising hit. Shortening the wheelbase was a masterstroke,…

The scenic landscape of Arrowtown, nestled near Queenstown, came alive this past summer with the dazzling debut of the Ayrburn Classic. Hosted at the luxurious hospitality precinct of Ayrburn, this three-day celebration of motoring mastery, culinary excellence and live entertainment captured the imagination of thousands and left them wanting more. Now, following the overwhelming success of its inaugural event, the Ayrburn Classic is back, and it’s shifting to an even higher gear. That’s right, the Ayrburn Classic returns next February for what promises to be another world-class celebration, scheduled slightly earlier on the calendar to bask in Central Otago’s long golden evenings and late summer glow. This festival will once again transform Ayrburn into a playground for car enthusiasts, food lovers and seekers of high-end hospitality alike. The 2025 edition…

New Zealand Classic Car marks a significant achievement with this, the 400th issue. Since the early 1990s, our writers have revealed what made them become classic car enthusiasts. Greg Price has an extended ‘Price On’, and in Gerard Richard’s case, he has a separate story about growing up in the car culture when NZCC began. GREG VINCENT Publisher/Editor, The Shed, New Zealand Classic Car I was on holiday in the mid-1980s when I fell in love. At that time, I was living in London and visiting one of my best Kiwi mates who had moved to Boston. After catching up for a few days, he suggested I borrow his Mini and drive down to Cape Cod and then to Martha’s Vineyard to enjoy all that Massachusetts had to offer. He…

INDONESIAN 300 SL – GULLWING THAT CAN’T FLY What we found behind that gate wasn’t just craftsmanship. It was pure magic! To any car enthusiast, the word ‘Gullwing’ means just one car, the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. Those iconic doors, opening upwards like the wings of a bird, epitomise elegance and engineering prowess. When Friedrich Geiger designed the 300 SL, Gullwing race car in 1952, those doors weren’t for show. In austere post-war Germany, practicality reigned supreme, and its unique doors were a matter of necessity, not indulgence. SLIP INTO SOMETHING LEICHT! Two years after the W194 racing car swept all before it, the production 300 SL was released (Sport Leicht or Sport Light) was essentially a racing car in party dress. Built on a cutting-edge space-frame, it weighed…

The change follows the 2022 acquisition of Protecta by global insurance leader Assurant Inc., signalling a new chapter for the company’s future—and for thousands of classic vehicle owners across Aotearoa. For over 35 years, Protecta has built its reputation as a reliable, locally focused provider of motor insurance, offering tailored coverage to suit everything from daily drivers to Sunday cruisers. The shift to Assurant doesn’t erase that legacy—instead, it enhances it. Now operating with the backing of a Fortune 500 global brand, Assurant combines Protecta’s deep local roots with international resources and innovation. The result is a broader, more seamless experience for customers, with a continued focus on the classic and vintage vehicle market. Real Enthusiasts, Real Stories Among those in the community, Alan Walker from Assurant – a former…

Interest was strong at the Webb’s autumn auction in Auckland on 6 April, with well over half the collector’s cars finding new owners, and all seven classic motorcycles on offer also selling. A New Zealand new, 1996 Ferrari 456 GT with a 6-speed manual transmission and showing 42,000km came with an estimate of $100k–$120k and saw bidding reach $90k. It later sold for $103,500, including Webb’s commission. SILVER STAR AMG The star of the show was the rare 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG coupe with an eye-watering estimate of between $550k and $700k. An opening bid of $425k swelled to $430k, but the immaculate low-mileage Mercedes failed to sell at the auction. The Rosso Fuoco red, right-hand drive 1982 Maserati Merak SS was expected to top $130k, but the best…

Principal Brian Dwyer completed 12 years at the Croydon Aircraft Company based at the Old Mandeville Aerodrome, near Gore, fabricating vintage aluminium aircraft panels. While at Mandeville, he began recreating a classic C-Type Jaguar, similar to those that won at Le Mans in 1951 and 1953, building it from scratch. LEGENDARY JAGUAR RACING CARS Now based in Gore, he was involved for a time in another company producing some 35 C-Type Jaguars which went to owners around the World. Brian heads a small and experienced team assisted by, Daryl Scott; coach-builder and fabricator, Nelson Bunguard; assembler, paint preparation, fabrication and computer 3D modelling and design, Simon Dwyer; fabrication, coach builder and administration, Samantha Dwyer; paint preparation, general labourer, Susan Dwyer; administration and general labourer, Brian Dwyer; coachbuilder, fabrication, engine work..…

Japanese ingenuity thrives in the factory corridors of Hiroshima-based Mazda. The company can always be guaranteed to produce remarkable engineering feats and designs. Where many others failed in the quest to solve a raft of problems associated with Felix Wankel’s brilliant little rotary engine design, Mazda showed that it could be done. Excessive fuel consumption would always be the bogey hanging over rotary engines. Mazda hedged its bets on the new engine and kept a parallel range of cars powered by conventional internal combustion engines (ICE). The design proved itself in many sporting spheres, and in New Zealand, the popular little RX-2 was a distinctly popular rally mount in the hands of the Millen brothers and many others. Old-school diehards didn’t accept it well on the racetracks for a variety…

Following Chris’ retirement, long-time manager of events Tim Hill became general manager and Raewyn Burke joined the team. NZIGP Events (originally NZIGP) has matured since it was formed in 1953, tasked with organising the New Zealand Grand Prix and the Tasman Cup in the glory days of 1950s and 1960s. FACTOR IN TONY QUINN Developments at the Hampton Downs and Taupō circuits were driven by the evolution of the Tony Quinn-backed NextGen Championship events body to support the Tier 1 level Formula Regional Oceania Championship. Evolved from the Toyota Racing Series, it morphed into an internationally recognised single-seater stepping stone into Formula One. The season began in September with the NZIGP Icebreaker at Hampton Downs. It’s the first event for Formula Open (FONZ), Arrow Wheels European Racing Classics (ERC), BMW…

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: Rural delivery: Lew Eustace didn’t have to go far to find his next classic car project. It was sitting derelict in a neighbour’s paddock https://classiccar.co.nz/rural-delivery/ Pinnacle Porsche: Is this the ultimate Porsche 911? Porsche came close to breaking the mould with the wild whale-tailed 930 Turbo https://classiccar.co.nz/pinnacle-porsche Lunch with… Jim Palmer: Despite a stellar record, his name hasn’t transcended the sport in the way those of some of his rivals have https://classiccar.co.nz/lunch-with-jim-palmer/ Sunbeam Alpine road trip: Nothing compares with the joy of looking across the Alpine’s arched front towards the magnificent Southern…

Christchurch couple Angus and Ann McLeod love their Alfas! Ann has a tidy 147, diesel-powered version, while Angus has several classic Alfa Romeo cars stored away. His daily driver is a well-travelled 1968 Giulia TS Super saloon. These squarish little Alfas never seemed to catch on like the more sporty-looking Alfas, but in recent years they have gained in popularity. Angus joined the RNZAF in 1964 as an airframe engineer, and his first Alfa Romeo was a 1967 GT Veloce, which he restored in 1978 and then raced in production races with Invercargill engineer, Dave Brown. Angus and Ann went to the UK in 1979 for a working holiday, which was extended somewhat while working for Bristow Helicopters! After 25 years with the firm, he retired and bought an Alfa…