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!

Coaching from the bench: Casting plastic knobs and rubber parts

16 July, 2026

Casting rubber items is simple if you have a good original to work with. The item doesn’t have to be perfect. You can use plasticine to smooth out cracks, and you can even make whole prototypes out of low-fire modelling clay available from craft stores if you need to. Prototypes can also be made of wood or metal.
You will need mould dams to contain the liquid urethane moulding solution until it cures. You can build boxes out of strips of wood, but I have found that small plastic boxes and bowls such as those you would use for leftovers in your fridge work well if you spray them with a mould release agent.
Temperature is important to the chemical processes involved, so work in an area that can be maintained at around 20 degrees. You will also need adequate ventilation because the fumes can be dangerous to breathe. And you will want to wear latex gloves to protect your hands.

Fraser Cars – low flying into the fourth decade

10 July, 2026

With almost three and a half decades under its belt, Fraser Cars is one of New Zealand’s longest-surviving car manufacturers. The company first opened its doors for business in 1988, during the boom time for kit manufacturers. During the ’80s, around 40 different companies were building kits and turnkey cars for this niche market. Of those, only Fraser and Almac Cars (established 1981) are still in business today.
Most of the new kit car companies were killed off in the cradle by the threat of new legislation that never eventuated and definitively by the sudden availability of high-performance Japanese cars when the floodgates to second-hand imports were opened. The now long-retired founder of the company, Neil Fraser, first came across Lotus Seven replicas while racing Lotus Cortinas in the early ’80s. He regularly found himself racing against a little Caterham, a Lotus Seven–styled car built in England. He was very impressed by its simplicity and handling. In 1986 Fraser built his own Lotus Seven–type car, using the knowledge he had gained from several close looks at the Caterham.

This or that: semi-final showdown — wildcard edition

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

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

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This or that: semi-final showdown — wildcard edition

2013–2014: ’57 Heaven (Issue No. 107). Back issue available here1957 Chevrolet Bel Air (Cameron)

2015: One step ahead (Issue No. 120). Back issue available here1969 Plymouth Road Runner (Johnny Burkart)

Contact us

Sign up to New Zealand Classic Car's newsletter

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

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