Indholdsfortegnelse for No 402 November/December 2025 i NZ Classic Car

When the Fab Four touched down on our shores, they triggered a youthquake that woke the city from its slumber. Like so many young musos at that time, Larry and his bandmates rode the ensuing creative wave, surging in from suburban garages to the burgeoning live scene in the city centre. One big gig stood out for Larry, and not just for the music. “It was The Human Instinct. A great band,” he says, “Their drummer and vocalist Maurice Greer looked the part, a real showman. When he drove up in a ’68 white E-Type, I thought, Oh my God! It was from then that I developed a secret desire for a Jag.” The circumstances in which Larry would later find himself settling on his 1962 Mark II were not…

Since 2017, with only a two-year pit stop during the COVID pandemic, the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (VCC) has teamed up with Ford New Zealand and the Cancer Society to turn the nation’s love of motoring into a force for good. In that short time, the event has raised more than $250,000 to support Kiwis affected by cancer — and it’s only getting bigger. COUNTRYWIDE RESOURCES At the heart of this national effort are three powerhouses. The VCC, with its 36 branches across the country, brings together thousands of members united by a shared passion for preserving motoring history. The Cancer Society, through its 35 divisions, stands on the front lines offering care, education, and research funding for the one in three New Zealanders whose lives are touched…

Historic and Muscle Saloon Cars (HMSC) members enjoyed the delights of the Classics Museum in Hamilton for its AGM, with the added extras of the museum and its amazing collection of cars and motoring memorabilia. TOM’S ECLECTIC COLLECTION Located in Hamilton, the Classics Museum is a vibrant tribute to our automotive heritage, founded by Hamilton businessman Tom Andrews. Opening its doors in 2012, the museum began as a practical solution to house Andrews’ passion for classic cars, vintage bikes, and automobilia – eventually evolving into one of the city’s most popular attractions. Tom Andrews is a self-made local entrepreneur who turned his childhood fascination into a sprawling collection into a purpose-built venue. It consists of a rotating display of approximately 60 classic cars and motorcycles drawn from his private assemblage…

Prominent motorsport figures Tony Roberts, Roger Williams, and Gary Stirling have utilised their extensive experience as enthusiasts, racing drivers, track managers, and community-oriented business owners to establish this new motorsport circuit, drawing from their work in building the Hampton Downs racetrack. Operating under the Thunder Ridge Motorsport Trust, this facility will serve as a dedicated venue for motorsport enthusiasts and individuals passionate about cars and motorcycles. It will also offer grassroots opportunities for newcomers to the sport, allowing them to learn and compete in a budget-friendly environment. The name itself conjures up a mix of emotions for enthusiasts, and I’ll bet it won’t be long before the popularity of the new circuit evokes the question, “You heading to ‘Thunder’ this weekend?” Talking with Tony Roberts recently, he was pleased to…

When it comes to achieving a flawless finish, it’s not just about the colour you see—it’s about the science, precision, and protection behind every layer. At Car Colors of North Shore, in partnership with PPG, the refinishing process is an art form that balances old-school craftsmanship with cutting-edge coatings technology. Here’s a look at the meticulous process that transforms a vehicle from raw metal into a head-turning showpiece. Step 1: Respecting the Metal The journey begins with media blasting—but only on one side of the metal. The opposite side is mechanically stripped. Why? Because blasting both sides can compromise the integrity of the panels. This method preserves strength while still removing paint, rust, and contaminants. Step 2: Metal Treatment with PPG Deoxidine With the body stripped back, every metal surface…

As reported elsewhere in New Zealand Classic Car, Ford has come on board nationally as a supporter for the annual Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (VCC) Daffodil Rally for Cancer and the Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, along with the VCC. CLEARING THE YARDS Ford dealers across the country got behind the initiative on VCC Daffodil Day, Friday, 25 August, for a great turnout throughout the country, organised through the VCC. VCC Daffodil Rally for Cancer National Coordinator Kaaren Smylie was thrilled with the result. “Since 2017, with only a two-year pit stop during the COVID pandemic, the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (VCC) has teamed up with Ford New Zealand and the Cancer Society to turn the nation’s love of motoring into a force for good. In…

Otago Towing 2020 Ltd, Autospectacular 2025 was held on 13 September at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre. The South Island’s largest indoor car show, this year celebrated 125 years of Fiat, 100 years of Chrysler, 100 years of pickup trucks, and the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Days. The show also has a theme for clubs to base their displays on; ‘Movies’ was this year’s theme. MOVIE CARS ‘The Castle’ and ‘The Wombles’ featured, and a couple of displays showcased genuine screen-used movie cars. There was the Wolseley 1300 from the 2009 film ‘No Petrol No Diesel!’ and on the NZ Mini Owners stand, there were both the original IZ6393 Mini from ‘Goodbye Pork Pie,’ along with the stunt car used in the 2016 remake ‘Pork Pie.’ The Goodbye Pork Pie…

The Rev Dr Richard Waugh and his team have been working away at organising the Jaguar MkVII–XI rally in Christchurch, starting 1 November. His latest letter also includes details and prices for the Jaguar book Hi Quinton, Just checking in about progress for the national Mark VII–IX event. Everything is coming together well. See a window decal we have developed (attached), and we are currently working on a draft book promo page. You may have seen a YouTube video one of our supporters has put together, using surplus photos we didn’t use in the new Jaguar book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhZSY-Ypjjw It looks like we will have about 20 Mark VII–IX cars present, and from around NZ. From my reading, this could even be a (recent) world record, as the most I have…

For nearly eight years, Franklin Speed Shop has been quietly earning a reputation as one of New Zealand’s go-to destinations for lovers of pre-1960s vehicles. Specialising in traditional hot rods and classic cars, the workshop has become synonymous with quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for motoring history. From custom fabrication and bodywork to meticulous maintenance and repair, every car that rolls into Franklin Speed Shop is treated like a work of art – and a piece of history. The team’s deep respect for vintage engineering shines through in every weld, panel, and polish. And now, they’re going a step further. Starting at the end of this month, Franklin Speed Shop will be offering full Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA) certification for pre-’60s vehicles, providing enthusiasts…

What began as the bowtie emblem of Chevrolet’s answer to the Mustang in 1967 has become one of GM’s most celebrated and coveted cars, with each generation having its share of fans. THIRD GENERATION AGES WELL One generation of Camaro undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years is the third – cars built from 1982 to 1992. Despite being criticised in the past for being a tad down on power and lacking some of the stylistic appeal of the earlier cars, this hero car of the 1980s still has a ton of presence, which is improving with age. Ask the members of Team Third-Generation Camaros and Firebirds of New Zealand and see why the third generation deserves its place among the pantheon of iconic muscle cars. “It’s a great…

Miranda Easten comes face-to-face with a trio of possibly the most polarising of supercars. Undeniably evocative and captivatingly stylish, Lamborghini’s Diablo set hearts racing. The fiery successor to the legendary mid-engined Countach supercar from Sant’ Agata Bolognese, the Lamborghini Diablo roared onto the scene in 1990. Its dramatic styling was initially envisioned by Marcello Gandini. Chrysler’s design team refined it and gave it that unmistakable – and still jaw-dropping – supercar silhouette. At launch, the Diablo became the fastest production car in the world, reaching 325kph (203mph) with its throaty 5.7-litre V12 pushing out roughly 485 horsepower or 362kW. In 1993, Lamborghini introduced the Diablo VT, an all-wheel-drive model. Every corner is a feast for the eyes, like walking through a gallery where each canvas happens to have a V12…

Loburn’s rolling hills and river plains in North Canterbury are renowned for their fruit-growing areas, and also have some great driving roads, perfect for enjoying the long-legged cruising Ford Capri featured here. Since the Christchurch earthquakes, the area has become a sought-after lifestyle locale. Toby Dimmock and partner Donna moved to the area a short time ago, and they enjoy the laid-back, sunny lifestyle of the region in their new home, which features a generously sized garage and sheds, perfect for a couple of gleaming classics. The couple are best known for their 1972 Holden HQ Monaro LS, a show-winning car that serves as their big, comfortable, country cruiser when driving to car shows – we’ll bring you a feature soon on this amazing car. Their Capri is something special…

After nearly 50 years of looking after teeth, retired dentist Alistair Reekie is enjoying spending more time working with his eclectic garage of classics. Earlier this year, he and his son Nick decided that it was time to devote some serious attention to Alistair’s long-serving, red 1977 Dino 308 GT4, a car he’s owned since about 1979 and enjoyed immensely. “I bought it in Auckland and drove it home to Invercargill. It’s not a Pininfarina; it was designed by Bertone, and it’s similar to a lot of Fiats. It was always considered the ugly one, but I thought, you know, you look at them, and boy, they got it right. It’s like a Fiat X/19, but bigger. Even the door handles look like they came from a Fiat.” KEEPING THE…

Sure, vehicles have featured on celluloid for as long as people have been making movies, but what is more unique, is when a car generates just as much, if not more, fan mail and awe over its flesh and blood co-stars. ICONIC CARS GATHER For many, the most iconic era of cars from film and TV was the ’70s and ’80s. During this period, people sat glued to their screens ready for the next episode of shows like Knight Rider; The Dukes of Hazzard; The A-Team; Starsky & Hutch; Magnum, PI; Miami Vice; and Scooby-Doo, or headed to the local picture theatre and caught flicks like Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Love Bug, The Blues Brothers, or Smokey and the Bandit. Seeing the vehicular stars of…

Marques like Cooper and Maserati are stalwarts in motorsport history, yet, when you add names like ‘McLaren’ and ‘Amon, that just makes them all the more special. Bruce and Chris are iconic names in New Zealand. There is one other lesser-known person who was unwittingly woven into the fabric of these legends’ early motorsport careers, that you probably never heard of. For Lenny Gilbert, history never looked like history as he was simply living through it. Ironically, he would find himself playing a small part in writing it. KICKSTARTER Lenny Gilbert’s love affair with cars started when his brother Harry taught him to drive at an early age. After Lenny returned from service in the Second World War, he quickly realised that the Army had taught him absolutely nothing useful…

From replicas to complete restorations, Barry has done it all. What makes this story so interesting is that everything is self-taught. Barry trained as an electrician, spending most of his early career working as a sparky for the Makarewa Freezing Works in Invercargill. PASSION FOR SPORTS CARS The thing that pushed him from electrical power to petrol power was a love of sports cars. Back in the early ’80s, Barry really wanted one but did not have the cash. Then one day, a friend drove around his place in a Series 3 Lotus 7. After taking it for a drive, Barry was impressed with its agility and speed. In those days, Lotus 7s were selling for a similar price as a brand-new family car, still out of his price range.…

UPGRADES – IT’S A WINNER! The Viva GT four-speed gearbox was ordinary to say the least. After the first season, Barry bought a factory Getrag dog-leg-shift first, 1:1 top, five-speed gearbox. That one item transformed that car. It was a beautiful piece of gear with perfectly spaced close ratios, and the car became an absolute joy to drive, except for the brakes. GM Dealer Team cars had huge and heavy brakes. Barry was fixated on keeping weight down, so for the entire time he rallied that car, he insisted on using the original 1256cc Chevette solid brake rotors, tiny callipers and DS11 pads. The rears were factory 1256cc drums with VG95 linings that occasionally peeled off the shoes and refused to work when wet, and effectively, it had no handbrake.…

Steve McQueen encouraged our fascination with creating US movie tribute cars, with that famous chase scene around the hills of San Francisco in the 1968 movie Bullitt. Using a modified 1968 Ford Mustang 390 Fastback, versus the bad guy in the ’68 Dodge Charger for the stunt scenes with an identical-looking Mustang for close-ups. It seems rivalry for star roles was as intense in the movies as it was in the marketplace, with Mustangs starring again in the ’74 movie Gone in 60 Seconds with the role going to a ’71 Ford Mustang Fastback. A ’67 Shelby GT500 starred in the 2000 remake with Nicholas Cage. [Ben Selby has a neat story about a gathering of star cars in Christchurch, elsewhere in this issue of New Zealand Classic Car –…

Adrian Robertson was destined to be involved in motorsport sooner or later. From the age of six, he attended annual premier motorsport events at Teretonga Park with his family in the mid ’60s. When Adrian saw the first ‘bread van’ Ford Anglia, and Austin A40 Farinas chasing after the Mustangs and Minis, he was hooked! GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME Fast-forward to Adrian’s age of about 18, when the original ‘Fordina’ body shell was for sale in his hometown. Sitting on the garage floor, the completely bare body shell sat looking very unloved; even the trademark nose cone was missing. It was a mission well beyond Adrian’s resources, and it was going to take time to achieve his ambition. To remain involved in the sport, Adrian then volunteered at Teretonga, initially…

PDL was once a household name, an electrical products company founded in Christchurch in 1937. It became synonymous with New Zealand motorsport due to its sponsorship of numerous race cars over the years. The most well known are the two iconic Mustangs run by PDL Racing, but well before these, there were two Mini Coopers raced by Robertson Stewart and Clyde Collins. PDL MINI HISTORY Robert initially purchased the well-known Minisprint from Frank Hamlin to race in the New Zealand Saloon Car Championship. A change to FIA Group 5 regulations following the 1967 season meant that the Minisprint was no longer eligible, and a replacement production-based car had to be sourced. A standard Mini was purchased, and work began on turning it into the new racer. The shell was fully…

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: Britannia rules the roads: Roadside Relics: 40-plus years of abandoned car-spotting by Gerard Richards went into creating an enormous collection of roadside relics images https://classiccar.co.nz/roadside-relics/ The essence of fun: Just one look at the cute and cheeky lines puts a smile on your face. The beach buggy is as much pure and simple joy as ice cream on a sunny day https://classiccar.co.nz/the-essence-of-fun/ Spicy Italian: Alfa Romeo’s elegant 156 achieved a timeless aesthetic appeal, if not great residual values, but the GTA treatment adds a huge slice of extra spice https://classiccar.co.nz/spicy-italian/ Thunder Park Raceway…

No, not the ‘won a free meat pack at the pub raffle’ kind of dream, but the proper, pinch-yourself, this-can’t-be-real variety. The first time it happened to me was as a teenager when the audience clapped at the end of my first concert rather than booing me off the stage (I assume it wasn’t just a sympathy clap). Or, when I released a very personal album and it actually charted. Then there was that hot summer when I drove my first classic car solo from Christchurch all the way to Queenstown, windows down, stereo blaring, and for once, everything in life seemed to align. Another ‘right now, I’m living the dream’ moment came when Andrew Densem, of Southern Specialist Cars (SSC), got in touch with a little idea he had…

As the engines fire up and the chrome begins to gleam, there’s a familiar buzz rolling back into Kumeu this summer. The Kumeu Hot Rod Show 2026, running 16th, 17th & 18th January, is set to return bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever — a celebration of horsepower, craftsmanship, and community spirit that has long stood as a highlight on every car enthusiast’s calendar. For decades, this iconic event has drawn gearheads from across New Zealand and beyond — uniting classic car lovers, builders, and families for a weekend of nostalgia, innovation, and good old-fashioned Kiwi camaraderie. From roaring V8s to meticulously restored cruisers, the Kumeu Showgrounds will once again become a living gallery of automotive art, shining a light on the passion and dedication that fuel this vibrant scene.…

“WITH THE NEW MUSTANG OF 1967, THE FIRST 99 SHELBYS WERE GT350S.” A Falcon drag car and a Ford Thunderbolt are sitting nearby. The1964 Thunderbolt is a Ford drag car with a 427cu in V8 sitting in a lightweight Fairlane. Further weight was shed by removing anything ‘unnecessary’, and glass was replaced with plexiglass. The cars were street legal, but only barely. Only one was made in 1963, 100 in 1964 and 2-cars in 1965, making this one of the rarest of Fords. This car helped Ford win the NHRA in 1964 with times in the 11-second range and with around 500bhp. MUSTANG ALLEY And then there were Mustangs. Again, there are numerous on display and too many to detail individually. Given that the SAC prides itself on having prominent and…

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet when it comes to looks, often the first incarnation of a model is the most harmonious and simply the best. Uprated technology and improved equipment, what comes later in the form of styling retouches can merely be changed for change’s sake. For example, look no further than an original Jaguar E-Type, Datsun 240Z, Range Rover or the first-generation BMW Mini R50 hatchback. FIDDLING WITH AN ALREADY CLEAN DESIGN From my time working in the motor industry, it became clear that facelifts were often the predominant reason for an owner to replace his car with a newer example. A matter of fiddling with an already clean design. Thirty years ago, a new Toyota RAV4 was our transport for exploring the picturesque South…

Under the bonnet, the Morgan’s Standard Motor Company 1267cc OHV was no longer up to the task. A solution had to be found before the Morgan marque became an also-ran. SEARCH FOR A NEW ENGINE The obvious solution was to fit a bigger engine, but which one? This task was given to Peter Morgan, the son of HFS Morgan, the company’s founder. He joined the firm as a development engineer and draughtsman in 1947 after being demobilised from the army. Peter was instrumental in creating two prototype cars that would be used as mules to evaluate different engines. These cars looked remarkably similar to the production Morgan Four-Four and, of course, were built with the traditional Ash wood frame. TWO PROTOTYPES One of the prototypes was a coupe (chassis No.…

What began as a bare fibreglass shell six years ago could easily have been another forgotten project, left to gather dust. In 2024, with Girls ’n’ Gasoline taking off, my vision changed. This wasn’t just going to be a build. It was destined to become a show-stopping creation, a one-of-a-kind, crafted for kids to experience the thrill of custom culture at trade events. CUSTOM PAINT TIME To bring the vision to life, I turned to none other than ‘Stace the Ace’ Roper. Together, we mapped out a plan: a body drenched in flake and patterned paint. I chose black and silver – a selection I’d likely never see gleaming across a full-sized classic in my own garage. From there, Stace took the reins. What followed was a painstaking process measured…

“I WANTED TO BE A RACING DRIVER, SO I WAS LIKE THE BLACK SHEEP” Mike Eady followed his passion for motor racing across the globe, from cementing his name in the Nürburgring Hall of Fame to touring the world as a BMW International driver trainer. Eady’s story is as rich as that of his acclaimed 1995 BMW 320i, which is currently raced among the Heritage Touring Cars during the New Zealand motorsport season. A PASSION FOR RACING The Eady name is more synonymous with classical music than it is with classic cars; however, after four generations, Mike decided to change his tune rather than follow the family business. “I wanted to be a racing driver, so I was like the black sheep.” From the age of 15, he was borrowing…

The 2025 Southern Classic, held on Saturday, 13 September at Levels (Timaru International Motor Raceway) in Timaru, kicked off the motor racing season with the biggest Historic and Vintage Racing Association (HVRA) entry seen to date in the south. Free spectator entry attracted a substantial crowd, which was entertained with some great displays from both racing saloons and CAMS motorcycle racers, the two codes rarely seen together in New Zealand. A remarkable 37 members of the Pre 78 Classic Saloons formed their biggest turnout to date, along with a very healthy contingent of HVRA racers visiting from the North Island, auguring well for the new season. RACING CHARGERS Chargers arrived for the static public display in the car park along with some of their well-known drivers from the era such…

His path to Formula 1 (F1) was sealed after being scouted by Reg Parnell while driving his Maserati 250F. Reg remarked that only Fangio could drive the 250F better than Chris. A TALENT FOR ALL FIELDS His successful motorsport career spanned F1, Le Mans, Daytona, and the Tasman Series, and looking at the cars he drove, it is apparent that Chris drove through an era of ‘beautiful’ cars that are prime subjects for being immortalised as scale models. MAN WITH A MISSION Unfortunately, Chris Amon’s subjects aren’t as wide and varied as we would like, but Tony Lyne has made it his mission to obtain and build as many Amon examples as he can get his hands on. Tony’s subjects are as wide and varied as the career Chris forged…

From our cover car that influenced a country’s motor industry to some American Shelby muscle, we have a great range of holiday reading. There’s a bumper surprise inside, previewing the Ayrburn Classic 2026, and you can also pick up a 2026 NZCC Calendar for free with this issue. Don’t miss 20-22 February at Aryburn! We have a very trim and proper Rover SD1 looking like new, which Leyland should have done better with, and we welcome summer in true holiday fashion with convertible tops folded for the sun. Keeping in the sporting theme, you will be amazed at the work that has gone into an early Chevrolet Corvette. There’s a tribute to Crumpy’s second Toyota Hi Lux, the yellow one, beautifully restored and wait until you see the workmanship on…