NZV8 Issue No. 121 races into stores

6 May, 2015

We knew that last month’s ‘10th Birthday’ issue would be a hard act to follow, but we’re pretty sure Issue No. 121 is right up there — and it’s available in stores now.

Gracing the cover is a circuit car like no other — designed to be cool first, and fast second. The 465ci Ray Barton Hemi that Keith Sinclair fitted to his ’70 Cuda ensured that that goal was achieved with ease, especially when combined with the iconic ‘Hot Wheels’ livery from the AAR cars of the period.

We know circuit racing isn’t everyone’s thing though, and we’ve made sure to pack the issue with just as much straight-line horsepower as always. Helping out with that task is a methanol-drinking big block Chev–powered Ford Capri.

Bridging the gap between straight-line power and handling prowess is a ’66 Chevelle that we’ve been trying to get into print for a few years now — the owner is always busy making it better. Finally, he relented, and we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s been well worth the wait.

Another car that we’ve had our eyes on for some time is the supercharged Commodore VN SS of Taupo’s Paul Topless. There’s not that many highly modified VNs out there, but that may all change after people see Paul’s one!

And, if hot rods are more your thing, you may enjoy finding out about the build of this gorgeous ’37 Ford coupe, which now packs a supercharged LS punch under the hood.

On the event front, this issue is packed with coverage from the recent APT Nostalgia Drags, the always impressive Hot Rod Blowout, NZDRA Drag Racing Nationals, as well as a vintage speedway day out.

On the tech front, we delve deep into the world of camshafts to find out what all the tech speak really means, as well as find out how ‘true fire’ flames are created.

NZV8 Issue No. 121 is on sale now for just $9.99 in store, or you can grab a digital copy online here for just $6.99.

Put a ring around that

Provenance is a valuable part of a classic car and DKW/Auto Union collectors Brendan and Bobbette Odell have a detailed documented history of a special car in their growing collection of these little two-stroke wonders.
Brendan’s hometown of Pretoria enjoyed more than its fair share of the marque, where their reliability and performance made them popular..
“There used to be a joke going round in South Africa that there were more DKWs in Pretoria per square mile than anywhere else in the world,” Says Brendan.
The Odells redressed that balance a little when they shifted to New Zealand as they brought some of the cars with them.
One of their DKWs also accompanied them to Tonga. Brendan’s green 1959 Auto Union 1000 two-door went with them from South Africa to Tonga from 2010 to 2013 where he worked for the local airline. It then travelled on with them to New Zealand. It is one of just 10 right-hand drive cars of the two-door basic model remaining worldwide.

Stag roars again

The Triumph Stag pictured here has been lovingly restored from what was once, in the owner’s words, “a horrible, terrible job”. Owners Glynn and Alison Gaston hail from Dunedin and along with their grandchildren now enjoy cruising in the Stag after a three-and-a-half-year restoration.
In 2011, Glynn was looking for a classic car to restore. After 21 years with Air New Zealand he was working as a Super Shuttle driver, with four days on and four days off, which gave him the time to take on such a project — something he had always wanted to do.
“I’d looked at quite a few cars over the years. The idea was to restore a car as something to keep me going. I had looked at different MGs and I would have quite liked an Austin Healey or something similar but they were really expensive.
“Then I saw a Stag and I thought, Ah, this is nice. This is what I would like.