Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från NZ Hot Rod

LAST month's article jogged a few memories and sparked several phone calls and emails to NZHRM. One from Ewen Cameron, who said, “Hi Paul, I love the Magazine and have been subscribed for years. How good is that article on The Way We Were? I remember well the good old days of Kopuku and Kerrs Road following my brother-in-law Trevor Watson. That's a great photo on page 17, top left at Kerrs Rd, Wiri of my wife Karen (married 54 years) 5th from left, then her mother Thelma, sister-in-law Yvonne, then at the front of the Dragster is my brother-in-law Graeme. The Dragster in the foreground, I think, is Trevor Watson's Grasshopper. (May have to be corrected on that) Cheers, Ewen Cameron. There's More ANOTHER recollection came from John Stanley,…

THE Squeak Rod Nationals is probably an appropriate name for Squeak Bell's extremely popular March Meet. Squeak hosts it and is now about as big as a Street Rod Nationals. In Squeak's words, it's so popular that the event needs reigning in. It's become a victim of its own success. The great thing about this event is the cars and the real people who are into the type of cars that turn up. The March Meet always features new builds, vehicles under construction, choppers and special interest cars. Two of the special interest race cars this year were Dave Alexander and Neil Baker's land speed cars. It was your chance to get up close and talk to the builders of two very cool machines. The build of Dave's car is…

He was known as ‘The General’ Tough, rough, and tall A man among men And always up for the call. Quick, with a smile And fast with a fist Ready for a laugh And a session on the piss A motorcycle-riding fool And Vee eight boy deluxe Just a damn good wrench Busting his knuckles, fixing trucks One talented mechanic With an engineer's mind He could build a barebones chopper Or fabricate a hot-rod refined He was heavily into music. Diggin’ the blues and country tunes Stevie Ray and Allen Coe Hank Williams Senior and the hillbilly Hank Snow From Bakersfield to Kansas In the beer-joints, they would proclaim That goddam Kiwi bloke ‘The General’ A righteous individual Was the reputation he could claim. So if you're gunnin’ hard and…

WHEN he was 19, Tony spotted a pretty much run-down ’56 Chevrolet Sedan for sale minus motor & box. The guy selling it was a well-known Henderson wheeler/dealer who was keen to sell it at a reasonable price as it was a non-runner. Tony was an apprentice Cabinet Maker and managed to scrape up the purchase price, which in 1983, compared to today's prices, was a good deal. After steadily working away on his low apprentice wage, he eventually purchased a stock 400 SBC mill and a gearbox, which he installed into what was a pretty rough body with rust in doors & sills. Once on the road and up and running, he was a typical young “Westie” and wanted bigger & faster, and while he enjoyed the lifestyle of…

Hi Revvers LAST month, we acknowledged Garth's induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. To consummate the achievement, Garth and his wife Andrea flew from Lake Wanaka to Jacksonville, Florida, to attend the awards banquet, saying, “It was quite an experience speaking to such an esteemed audience.” Garth carried the torch for all NZ Drag Racing during his speech, acknowledging its founders and pioneers. It's official – he's a legend!…

THE Auckland Vintage Speedway Club are still going very strong with monthly meets at their track in Meremere. The recent Les Nixon Memorial VW Day was a case in point, with people travelling from all over New Zealand and also across from Australia to attend. There were around 20 VW powered midgets on display, with around eight running on the track - what a sight and sound to behold. Grant Morse organised the day paying tribute to Les Nixon, a much-talented engine builder in speedway circles, and it was special that Les’ family also attended. Thanks to Daltons for the track prep and Lucas Oil for the spot prizes and giveaways. A nod of appreciation must also go to Brent Holden for the artwork on the T-shirt for the day.…

V8 Model 40 convention WE had read about the event recognising the 90th Anniversary of the 33’-34’ Ford but had already booked a hotel in Dunedin for another automotive weekend, also in early March. After some arm twisting, we re-arranged our plans and sent off an entry form. Held in Masterton, the centre of the Wairarapa province, from the 8th to 10th of March, the convention was hosted by Lloyd “Magoo” Wilson and wife Anne. Well promoted and attracting over 100 vehicle entries, this event was a cracker. Based at the Copthorne Solway Park hotel, it brought back memories of another rod run based at the Solway and the ’80 Masterton hot rod nationals, which we attended in Jenni's ’30 A tourer, long time between drinks for sure. Hailed as…

For those of us around drag racing in the early ‘80s onwards, you may recall a bright red ’33 coupe campaigned by a team known as” Scotty and the Chief”. Scotty is a panelbeater / hot rod builder. “The Chief” is a tall, imposing, American-Indian-looking bloke. Hence the nickname. Later, they ran a Pontiac Trans Am doorslammer that Scotty built in his garage, and then later, they stepped up to a Chevy Beretta. While Scotty took the limelight with his driving, Willy, “the Chief” Roach, was more at home studying the finer details of each pass and later going over data and time slips at night instead of indulging in the usual social activities that everyone else was partaking. “Chief” prefers to stand back and let his accomplishments stand on…

THIS is the secret little show we all love. It was created by Peter Docherty, better known to most as “Doc”. Nothing is a problem for Doc, he is the perfect host, along with his wife Ira, who cooks for us, brings chocolate and makes coffee! Twizel is a holiday destination with central Otago charm. The event is based around the Combined Services club, so great food and drink are only a “stone's throw “ away. Most entrants, some from as far away as Auckland, arrive mid-way through Friday for registration, and then a twilight cruise takes in all the residential areas, with streets crowded with onlookers. The Saturday show is held around the “club”, with 320 cars and motorcycles entered and about 100 or so tagging along. Hot weather…

THIS Timaru-based event is one of the newer car shows in the South Island, this being the sixth edition. The local hospice runs the event to raise much-needed money, and it is a very slick operation. According to their Facebook page, the event raised $175,000! Great stuff. This is made possible by donations, support from local businesses, volunteers and the generosity of the entrants and the general public. Things kick off on Thursday with “laps of Levels” raceway and various cruises to nearby Temuka and Geraldine. Unfortunately, some of the weather in those leadup days had quite a bit of rain. Thankfully, Saturday's show day dawned with fine hot weather, with no rain in sight. Close on 1,000 cars and vintage caravans were in attendance, and crowds were strong. Every…

THE first question I asked was about the truck's history and how long he had owned it. I certainly did not expect the answer I got. Mike told me he bought the truck 45 years ago as basically a rolling shell with a “clapped out” flathead engine and a trailer load of parts. He also had a head full of ideas and big dreams Don't worry; he did not spend 45 years building it, but it is interesting that when he started to get interested in it, his daughter was only three years old. That same daughter now has three kids of her own. Mike had some very capable tradesmen on board. The 4” roof chop was handled by the renowned Jeff Marshall, and most of the metalwork local Rob…

CLASSIC COVER THE 2024 Rebel Roundup was organised by Brett Forlong and held at Backpaddock Lakes, at Takapau, near Waipukura, in southern Hawkes Bay. Backpaddock Lakes is an outdoor wedding venue featuring expansive views to the horizon with a tranquil lake and wetlands. The action-packed program included an outdoor car show, a cruise circuit, a Miss Rebel Round Up 2024 beauty pageant, a Nitro cackle courtesy of Karl Boniface's Nitro Flashback Funny Car, flag drop demo drags, and a live band for nighttime entertainment. No date has been set yet for next year.…

THIS year's Repco Beach Hop was huge and rumoured to be close to 2.000 vehicles attending. Just over 1,000 were registered for the event, but all the non-entered cars and specialised displays made for an amazing spectacle. The format is always the same, but all the different cars and people make it different every year. The atmosphere was very laid back, and most enjoyed a great time. Waihi seemed extremely busy this year, helped in no small part by the great hot weather from Tuesday ‘til Saturday lunchtime. Thursday was multi-choice activities, from driving to nearby Tairua to completing the entire Coromandel loop. Due to so many cars, some stayed and parked in town. Friday's run to Onemana was also extremely well attended. At times night cruising became a big…

2024 is The Scroungers’ 25th birthday, so it is probably time to briefly reflect on what this tight bunch of nostalgia geeks have achieved over the years. Nobody can remember exactly how the Scroungers’ name came about, but they needed a Club Plaque at the time, and they all decided it was fitting as they could always be found at swap meets “Scrounging” for parts, so the name stuck. Unlike any other club, there is no President, Secretary or Treasurer. John Pavlovich explains”. Each person in the club has specific skills, so when needed, that person always steps into the role. We do have meetings, but they are not structured like a committee, nor are they on a regular basis. Instead, it is a gathering and a discussion on how…

Hilborn Parts MIKE Chilando and his team at Alky Digger have stepped up and now make a wide selection of parts for your fuel-injected engine. Their range includes injectors, Barrel valves, nozzles, hoses, stops, arms, ram tubes, pill holders, pills and even abillet replica of the upright 4-port injector. Check out the Hilborn Section of their range at www.alkydigger.net/category/HILBORN-INJECTORS- COMPONENTS.html STOP! DO you want that old-school look for the brakes on your hot rod but don't want to mess with using 80-year-old parts? Magoo's is a dealer for the Boling Brothers range of front and rear brakes that bolt onto 1932-1948 Ford stubs and diffs. These drum brakes look good on any traditional hot rod while providing a modern full contact, self-energizing, Bendix-style brake. Magoos Street Rods 06-3775706 sales@magoos.co.nz Durable…