NZV8 — the remedy for your back-to-work blues

30 January, 2015

You might be back to work, but we’ve crammed NZV8 Issue No. 117 full of top-shelf content that should help you feel like you’re back on holiday. Grab your copy now. 

Headlining the feature cars is this stunning Dodge Challenger, powered by a 600hp fuel-injected Hemi, and with no stone left unturned in the owner’s quest to build the ultimate grand tourer. If tough is more your thing, how about a twin-turbo Ford Pop that runs wheel-standing nine-second passes? There’s also a super clean and supercharged GMC pickup, a show-quality CMC Torana packing a 700hp LSX, and an immaculate traditional ’32 Ford Highboy.

We also got out and about — checking out the skid-fest that was Supercheap Auto Powercruise 52, relaxing at Cruise Martinborough, and the infamous Burgerfuel Port Road Drags, which is now in its 48th year without a rain date!

If you’re planning on getting your hands dirty during the rest of the summer, we’ve also got a tutorial on how to convert your hydraulic fork-type clutch to a modern hydraulic-release bearing, as well as the latest and greatest trends from SEMA — just the last minute inspiration your Beach Hop-build needs!

Of course we’ve also got the exciting columns, a truly amazing feature shed (well, garage) filled with America’s finest, and all of the content that will keep you counting down the hours until lunch or home time. All you need to do is to pick up a copy, and pop the top off a beer (optional).

Luxury by design

How do you define luxury? To some it is being blinded with all manner of technological wizardry, from massaging heated seats to being able to activate everything with your voice, be it the driver’s side window or the next track on Spotify. To others, the most exorbitant price tag will dictate how luxurious a car is.
For me, true automotive luxury comes from being transported in unparalleled comfort, refinement, and smoothness of power under complete control. Forget millions of technological toys; if one can be transported here and there without the sensation of moving at all, that is luxury — something that is perfectly encapsulated by the original Lexus LS400. It was the first truly global luxury car from Toyota, and one that made the big luxury brands take notice.

NZ Classic Car magazine, January/February 2026 issue 403, on sale now

Morris’ ground-breaking, world-beating, Minor
It was Britain’s biggest small car, and it got Britain mobile again.       Morris Motors celebrated its millionth Minor in December 1960, a car that defined the British motor industry, and was in production for 10 years alongside the iconic Mini of 1959.
Whakatane dentist John Twaddle has a passion for Morris Minors going back to 1982, and he still has his first example. There are now three ‘Morries’ in his garage. One, however, is quite special, a rare ‘Minor-Million’. 
One of just 350 made commemorating the millionth Morris Minor produced, the first British car to hit a million units, the well-rounded little Brit’ would end production in 1971with a tally of over 1.6 million units.
John finished his Minor Million six years ago, resplendent in lilac, its official factory colour. He calls it his ‘Minor Resurrection’, and it has won numerous awards.
This summer edition also comes with our annual FREE classic car calendar, a must for every garage wall.
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, our poster is of a couple of garage mates, a 1957 Ford Ranchero and a 1968 Lincoln Continental.