Bambina with a sting, plus more in the latest New Zealand Classic Car

10 December, 2015

The December issue of New Zealand Classic Car is now for sale. From the cutest Italian to classic ’50s American styling, plus British luxury at its best, there’s plenty of good reading for everyone. 

Our very cute Fiat Bambina has been given somewhat of a sting in its tail with an engine upgrade in line with Abarth’s go-faster specials. Check out the full restoration.  

Nothing screams ’50s American classic more than than mid-’50s Chevrolet, and nothing could be hotter than our featured 1956 Chevrolet 210 Sport coupe owned by retired drag racer Jim Crain Snr. 

The Jaguar MkVII was a total game changer for Jaguar, and played a major part in the marque’s post-war resurgence. Read all about this large, luxurious Jaguar, which, despite its size, proved to be a worthy race and rally car. 

Check out the Targa New Zealand 2015 full summary and results, as well as a preview of the upcoming Porsche Festival at Hampton Downs in January 2016. 

There’s also our usual Nationwide News section, Behind the Garage Door, as well as Motorman, Motorsport Flashback, plus much more. Pick up a copy at your local supermarket or bookshop, or buy a print copy below:


Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.