A Classics Museum carnival

9 December, 2015

Waikato classic car enthusiasts, and those of us who have passed through Hamilton, will have undoubtedly stopped off at Classics Museum to step back in time and reminisce about the gorgeous classics on display. 

Tiffany Curtis Photography

Now, three years on, Classics Museum celebrated their 3rd birthday on Sunday, November 29 with great fanfare. The carnival-themed atmosphere attracted car enthusiasts and families for an afternoon of great fun. Everyone got to look at all those great cars, before relaxing back and enjoying a free drive-in-movie, which was Cry Baby starring Johnny Depp.

If all this wasn’t enough, there was a live band playing to get those hips swinging, as well as carnival games and a best-dressed competition presented by Miss Pinup New Zealand. 

Tiffany Curtis Photography

All this fun created quite an appetite and The Jukebox Diner was soon crammed with families enjoying their burgers, shakes, and fries. 

Tiffany Curtis Photography

Visitors also enjoyed free admission to the museum for the day, and just when you thought you’d seen it all, the Hamilton Roller Derby team came along to show off some tricks on their skates.

For more information on the Classics Museum birthday event, visit classicsmuseum.co.nz.

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.