This or that: semi-final showdown — wildcard edition

24 April, 2015

We’d love to know which one of these cars you like the best, so let us know in the comments below, and you’ll go in the draw to win a hardcover copy of our NZV8 Top 100 Cars — The Editor’s Pick book! The winner will be drawn on Wednesday morning New Zealand time, and contacted via Facebook.

2013–2014: ’57 Heaven (Issue No. 107). Back issue available here
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air (Cameron)

For a large number of people, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is ‘the’ dream car. The example you see here is the pinnacle of that dream — arguably the best presented ‘57 in New Zealand. Designed to look “just like a nice ‘57 with a set of wheels on it,” the Bel Air has more than achieved that — from the deep, black cherry paintwork, perfect chroming, and leather-clad interior, right down to the polished and detailed undercarriage. It’s powered by a 572ci big block crate motor, sitting on a full Art Morrison chassis — nothing but the best has been used on this car, and it sure shows.

2015: One step ahead (Issue No. 120). Back issue available here
1969 Plymouth Road Runner (Johnny Burkart)

It was good enough to grace the cover of our 10th birthday issue, and win the wildcard entry into the semi-finals of this very competition. Johnny Burkart’s 1969 Road Runner screams tough. From the Procharged 550ci Hemi under the hood to the Hoosier shod beadlock rims out back, and slammed stance. Is there a tougher street car in the country? If so, we’d love to see it!

Super affordable supercar

The owner of this 1978 GTV, Stephen Perry, with only a skerrick of wishful thinking, says through half-closed eyes, “It is not dissimilar to the Maserati Khamsin”.
The nose is particularly trim and elegant from all angles, featuring cut-outs for the headlights echoing Alfa’s own exotic Montreal. The body is unfussy, lean with lots of glass, and the roofline shows a faint family resemblance — although on a much more angular car — to the curved waistline of the earlier 105s. The slightly hunched rear means there’s much more space in the rear seats than in the cramped rear of 105s — very much a 2+2 — and a generous boot. These more severe lines are not quite as endearing as the 105’s but they are still classy and clearly European.