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Whipped Up: Maserati Bora

5 May, 2015

I frequent the Caffeine and Classics event. It’s what appeals to me and it’s growing on me more and more as ‘my scene’. I guess with my move away from the performance-car scene, I’m gaining an increased interest in the classic scene. This is supported by seeing some of my dream cars at the gatherings, including this Maserati Bora. As there were only 524 produced, it’s quite rare to see one in a parking lot.

I was quite surprised to see this car at the event, and couldn’t help but stare from afar. Honestly, I wasn’t sure of what I was looking at. As I got closer and closer I noticed the front emblem and realized what I was gazing upon — a Maserati Bora.

The Maserati was equipped with 15×7.5-inch Campagnolo light-alloy rims and a set of near rally-inspired, removable, polished stainless-steel hubcaps.

Although nowadays we have family sedans pushing over 200kWs, the Maserati Bora, in its day, was regarded as an extremely powerful car with 230kW at 6000rpm. The car could push up to 284.79kph at top speed, and get 0–100kph in just 6.6 seconds.

As the car is mid-engined and equipped with a miniature baggage region in the front end of the car, the interior had to allow for a little more storage space than most mid-engined cars. The designers fitted the door cards with their own storage compartments and fitted double-paned glass to lower the volumes within the cabin. 

This particular model has been previously featured in New Zealand Classic Car magazine and was rebuilt by Gavin and Myles Hicks. The Hicks are known for their car restorations and have popped out a fair few vehicles over the years, many being restored to original condition and experiencing the life they once had. This Bora was given the full Hicks treatment with a complete interior and exterior restore. The car itself is exceptional and has now moved on to a new owner. 

If you’re ever out and about on a Sunday morning and want to see this car for yourself, it might just be at Caffeine and Classics.

Luxury by design

15 January, 2026

How do you define luxury? To some it is being blinded with all manner of technological wizardry, from massaging heated seats to being able to activate everything with your voice, be it the driver’s side window or the next track on Spotify. To others, the most exorbitant price tag will dictate how luxurious a car is.
For me, true automotive luxury comes from being transported in unparalleled comfort, refinement, and smoothness of power under complete control. Forget millions of technological toys; if one can be transported here and there without the sensation of moving at all, that is luxury — something that is perfectly encapsulated by the original Lexus LS400. It was the first truly global luxury car from Toyota, and one that made the big luxury brands take notice.

NZ Classic Car magazine, January/February 2026 issue 403, on sale now

15 December, 2025

Morris’ ground-breaking, world-beating, Minor
It was Britain’s biggest small car, and it got Britain mobile again.       Morris Motors celebrated its millionth Minor in December 1960, a car that defined the British motor industry, and was in production for 10 years alongside the iconic Mini of 1959.
Whakatane dentist John Twaddle has a passion for Morris Minors going back to 1982, and he still has his first example. There are now three ‘Morries’ in his garage. One, however, is quite special, a rare ‘Minor-Million’. 
One of just 350 made commemorating the millionth Morris Minor produced, the first British car to hit a million units, the well-rounded little Brit’ would end production in 1971with a tally of over 1.6 million units.
John finished his Minor Million six years ago, resplendent in lilac, its official factory colour. He calls it his ‘Minor Resurrection’, and it has won numerous awards.
This summer edition also comes with our annual FREE classic car calendar, a must for every garage wall.
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, our poster is of a couple of garage mates, a 1957 Ford Ranchero and a 1968 Lincoln Continental.