Don’t miss out on grabbing a copy of New Zealand Classic Car Issue No. 295

23 June, 2015

You better grab the July issue of New Zealand Classic Car (Issue No. 295) while it’s still available in stores.

In this issue we celebrate the historic Kiwi one–two finish at this year’s famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. We also take a look back in time to 50 years ago, when a jet-powered Rover made its second and final race appearance at Le Mans.

Ford’s Deluxe series of flathead V8-powered pre-war coupes and convertibles have always been a favourite amongst classic car enthusiasts and hot rodders alike, such as our featured 1939 Ford Coupé convertible.

We go searching, but without much success, for Suzanne Somers or Halle Berry while road- testing Ford’s final Thunderbird.

We get up close and personal with the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the fastest version of the prancing horse’s jaw-dropping 458 Italia. Read our verdict.

If it’s bling you’re after, then read all about our in-depth look at the shiny art of chrome plating.    

Travelling companion

It’s easy to see why the Morris Minor Traveller was one of the best-loved variants of the Morris Minor. Introduced in 1953, it was equipped with the same independent torsion bar front suspension, drum brakes, and rack and pinion steering as its saloon sibling but, with their foldable rear seat increasing versatility, many Travellers were used as trade vehicles, says Derek Goddard. Derek and Gail Goddard, the owners of this superbly restored example, have run Morris Minors since before they were married in 1974.
“Our honeymoon vehicle was a blue Morris Minor van — it was a rust bucket,” says Derek.

Super Leicht Gullwing

It’s fair to say that nothing much in the classic Mercedes world gets past Mercedes-Benz Club stalwart Garry Boyce so it wasn’t surprising to learn that around 15 years ago he had sniffed out an extremely rare 300SL lightweight Gullwing as well as a 1958 300SL Roadster hiding away in the Waikato. The cars were not for sale but Garry eventually managed to persuade the owner to allow him and his restoration team to take a look at the Roadster. They discovered a very distressed but largely unmolested car. The car was so original that the body had never been off the chassis, meaning most of the parts and fittings were still present and correct, as they had been fitted by the factory.