Innehållsförteckning för No 222 July - August 2024 från NZV8

The colder months have set in, and it looks like they’ll be here for a while, so now is the perfect time to get all those winter car projects underway and ready for car show season. That’s my plan anyway! I’m currently prepping my car for LVV certification. I’ve been installing driveshaft loops — there’s a great article on how to make them in this issue if you need some tips. I’ve also been relocating my battery to a correctly sealed and vented box, adding brake line clamps, new wheels, tyres, and suspension, plus a few other bits and pieces. While I’m at it, I’m doing some paint touch-ups to keep it looking its best. It’s not been a cheap exercise, I can tell you that much for free. The…

Taupō played host to the 24 cars across the 11 teams that made the journey from Australia to New Zealand’s Taupō circuit in April for the return of the series to our shores, the first since the final race held at Pukekohe back in 2022. The circuit is the third racetrack to host the championship in New Zealand, with both Pukekohe and Hamilton having the honours beforehand. With the departure of Shane van Gisbergen, who is now racing in Nascar in the US, all eyes were on the fast five Kiwis to win the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy on home soil in front of Kiwi fans. News had broken in the weeks before the event that last year’s championship winner, Brodie Kostecki, was making a return to the series after…

“I’m not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation/I just talkin’’bout my g-g-generation”. Since My Generation was released by The Who way back in 1965, the lyrics, though simple, have become a byline for anyone who feels like they don’t fit society’s expectations. When Pete Townshend wrote the words to that song, he was pushing back against the older generation, but I — conversely — feel increasingly out of step, nearly 60 years later, with the younger generation. I spend a lot of time worrying that I’m turning into an unreasonable and intolerant old git, in the same way I viewed my parents and grandparents, but I’m increasingly sure, the more I think about this, that’s not the case. I’m acutely aware that things change and that the way I’ve done…

Thirteen cars made their way to the Manawatu circuit for the last round of the 2023 portion of the calendar. Group 1A Championship leader Andy Knight along with second-placed Shane Holland were looking to continue their title fight over the first weekend in December. The news had broken between rounds that the category had been selected to be one of the three New Zealand support categories for the Repco Supercars Championship return to Taupō in April. As previously reported, the original calendar release of the April race dates has now been pushed back by a week (19–21 April). Missing from the round were championship contenders Andrew Porter and Craig Boote, who took themselves out of the title fight, leaving the door open for the likes of Tristan Teki, Nick Ross,…

Basically, driveshaft loops are required on any front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle that has either had an engine transplant or substantial modifications to the original engine that result in a power increase of 20 per cent or more. They are required to be 360 degrees around the driveshaft, and be as close to round as possible. You also want it to be as small as possible, allowing for clearance as the suspension articulates. • Material: they need to be made from at least 5mm thick mild steel by 50mm wide. I use five-inch schedule 40 pipe for the loop itself, and make that 60mm wide to make the 50mm flat bar nicer to weld to it.• Location: they need to be within 250mm of the front universal of each driveshaft. The measurement…

Here are some quick hits of content from social media channels around the globe, curated by Low Fast Famous. They relate to some of the projects and completed builds that have been generating the most interaction and impressions in the past 30 days. Check out more of the work from the vehicles highlighted via their Instagram handles listed or at Low Fast Famous: @lowfastfamous 1955 CHEVROLET @SOB_BUILT_ Loving the style of this build — so good with a style different to normal. The Forgiato wheels in 20 and 22 inches set the tone for the build. Ridetech provided all the suspension components, including the air suspension to get that stance just right. Power is via a Boost District supercharged LSX 427ci controlled by a Holley Terminator ECU that manages the…

Mark your calendars for 9 November 2024, when Takapuna Rocks returns to Auckland. This highly anticipated event will feature a dazzling array of classic cars and hot rods, bringing together enthusiasts and families for a day of automotive excellence and community spirit. With registrations opening on 4 July 2024, participants can sign up theircars, bikes, or even join the pin-up pageant. Sponsored by numerous local businesses, the event supports Yes Disability’s Shore Junction initiative. Enjoy food, refreshments, and the best of New Zealand’s classic car culture at Takapuna Rocks. For more details, visit www.takapunarocks.co.nz…

RETURN OF THE KING The ink was hardly even dry on the last issue of NZV8 when Reece Fish returned to the strip in his legendary ’56 Chev to reclaim the title of New Zealand’s quickest street car. In that last issue, we mentioned how Whanganui’s Ben Morris had taken the title, a title that had been held for the last decade by Reece. While the competition — Ben included — had been catching Reece’s 7.38-second ET for some time, Ben’s recent 7.17 at 197.79mph pass was clearly the impetus needed to get Reece backout. In saying that, the reality is that Reece had actually been working on freshening up the ’56 for some time, so it was more coincidental, although he was obviously keen to get it back before…

I met Stan Scott 34 years ago at a party. When I left, he was hanging upside down from the clothesline in the backyard, having gotten into some old feijoa wine that he found under the house. He was sick as a dog for the next week. Stan has been one of those brothers that I don’t need to see for months, and nothing changes. When we catch up, the same great friendship and respect are there, and he’s one of the most generous people I know. Being a tinkerer and motorcycle enthusiast, old Stanley started catching the hot rod bug from hanging around my garage and watching me build my own projects. I gave him a stack of The Rodder’s Journal magazines to peruse, and as he started to absorb…

There was a very high chance that you’d never have seen this car in the pages of NZV8. Its creator, Ivan Booth, got so fed up with the build part-way through, that he put it up for sale. Luckily, sense prevailed and he saw the four-year project through to completion. Having owned, over the years, a range of cars so diverse that you’d wonder if he’s got a few different personalities, he decided that the time was right to build the ultimate. In his eyes, that was always an E-body Cuda, and out of that generation, the 1970 was the pick of the bunch. Hunting around for the perfect starting point, Ivan found it in New Mexico and had Kiwi Shipping do the honours of getting it back home to…

TERRY JOHNSTON 1978 XC FALCON COBRA REPLICA LOCATION: HAMILTON The history behind the XC Falcon hardtop is an interesting one, especially the XC Falcon Cobra. Long story short for those not in the know is that while Ford was kicking goals with the rest of the XC range, it was struggling to sell the hardtop — so much so that the price had dropped below that of the sedans. Even the famous one-two victory at Bathurst ’77 by Allan Moffat and Colin Bond in a pair of XC hardtops didn’t produce a showroom stampede for the big coupe, and Ford was left with 400 shells to shift and no plans for a two-door in the upcoming XD range. A suggested Playboy theme was thankfully rejected, and Ford turned instead to…

SB2 TORANA It’s unclear who owns this new build-in-progress, whether it’s Heads Racing itself or shared on behalf of the owner. Regardless, the owner has a wild project on their hands. A deeper look into Heads Racing Supplies’ Facebook page reveals a Holden Torana with some serious Nascar engineering. The LH Torana, sporting an SLR body kit on the outside, hides a marvel under the hood: a Nascar SB2. Backing it up is a Holinger sequential, Wilwood Big Brake kit, and 10-inch gold Simmons wheels. We’re hoping to see this one on the road soon. PRO-STREET HK Ryan Dunn from Whangaparāoa is gearing up for something special with his latest build. As the second owner, he’s taken the car back to bare metal, applying a fresh titanium gunmetal grey paint…

Chrome NZ hosted a new event called Chrome Nights at the Auckland Show-grounds on 25 May. Over 1200 cars and clubs participated in this inaugural free event, which featured live DJs, a hardpark, special exhibits, and various food vendors. The event was a massivesuccess, attracting a diverse range of cars and attendees. If you missed the first event, good news: Chrome Nights 2 is coming this September. It promises to be another fresh and exciting gathering for car enthusiasts and the general public alike. Visit chromenz.co.nz for info.…

When looking at Kent Lobb, it would be easy to think that he’s one of those guys with all the luck. At just 29 years old, he holds the keys to arguably one of the toughest Dodge Chargers ever built in the country — a car packing a twin-turbo Viper V10, with tough looks to match. It’s been a wild ride getting there, though; there was no silver spoon or big chequebook behind the build, but countless hours of thought, effort, and wheeling and dealing. So, sure, he’s got all the luck, but he’s worked damn hard to get it. The ’68 Charger was purchased back when he was just 23 years old when he found it online in Tennessee. With a tunnel-rammed 440 big block in it, Kent says…

The Nostalgia Drags is an annual event held closer to the end of the drag racing calendar that braves the fickle late autumn weather and showcases the best of drag racing from yesteryear. There are newer faces in the pits and staging lanes, but it really is a who’s who of New Zealand drag racing. The 2024 edition of the Nostalgia Drags held the weekend after the Easter holiday once again did not disappoint. With the 42 individual sponsors, organised by Bay Rodders departing president Lynne Paton, there was once more the lure of prize money, along with the more traditional bragging rights for the racers making the final rounds. There were plenty of entrants from all over the country who had spent the Friday night at the track in…

It’s fair to say that Perth is one of my favourite tracks, and those who have followed this column for a while now know that I’m not afraid to say it. I don’t know what it is about the place, but it’s just so much fun, and, for some reason, we have had great success there. Prior to Christmas, we went there with the top fuel funny car, and we won the event and set a new national record. This time, we were returning with the outlaw cars for the Nitro Max versus Aeroflow shoot-out in an east versus west challenge. What I love about this race is that it’s a team event. Yes, there is an individual winner, but the important trophy is the team trophy. Last year, we…

THE GENERATION OF TAHOE HE HAD WAS NEAR VISUALLY IDENTICAL TO THE BLAZERL Love it or hate it, the low rider scene is an interesting one. There’s lots that has been said about the origins of the scene and how it’s evolved over the years, less about why the common car of choice is an Impala of some description. Some of that is linked to their availability, but the key driver is also the simple ladder chassis design and availability of bolt-on parts. Here in New Zealand, we are long removed from the back streets of LA where the scene began, but the traditions and trends have followed. That means a sea of Impalas, all a slight variation on a theme. Thankfully, there are a few who have broken that…