New Zealand can’t get enough of the new Mustang!

29 May, 2015

With the impending arrival of Ford New Zealand’s 2015 Mustangs later on in the year, hype is clearly building here in little old New Zealand — more than 300 orders have already been placed for the new Mustang. The most popular choice so far seems to be the Mustang GT Fastback, equipped with five-litre V8 and six-speed automatic, which makes up around 60 per cent of overall orders.  

“Just like in America, we are seeing great early demand for the V8 GT models,” said Corey Holter, Managing Director of Ford New Zealand, “But, we anticipate the EcoBoost model will be a bigger seller longer term … as people see its great combination of performance and fuel economy.” Prices for the new Mustang start at $56,990 for a Fastback with 2.3-litre EcoBoost and six-speed automatic, climbing to $76,990 for the range-topping Mustang GT Convertible with five-litre V8 and six-speed automatic.

Breakfast of champions – Brink

Some older readers may recall the amusing late 60s advertisement for a breakfast drink using World Champion racing driver Graham Hill which was made while he was out here competing in the Tasman Series.
“Drink Brink” was the phrase, subtly altered by Graham’s characteristic lisp into “Dwink Bwinkl” which drew a grin or two.
Southland Mini racing enthusiast Howard Kingsford-Smith has preserved a little bit of Mini racing history when he re-created the “Brink Mini” some 25 years ago.
“I bought what remained of the original car and made a replica I suppose or look-a-like of the original Brink Mini from Cathy Henderson about 25 years ago,” Howard explained.

The motor car as an art form

We have certainly come a long way since the exhibition entitled 8 Automobiles, shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in the autumn of 1951, the first exhibition concerned with the aesthetics of motor car design.
It was here that the often-used term ‘rolling sculpture’ was coined by curator Philip C Johnson, director of the department of architecture and design, when he said, “An automobile is a familiar 20th century artefact, and is no less worthy of being judged for its visual appeal than a building or a chair. Automobiles are hollow, rolling sculptures, and their design refinements are fascinating. We have selected cars whose details and basic design suggest that automobiles, besides being America’s most useful objects, could be a source of visual experience more enjoyable than they now are.”