Enthusiast Essentials: what we’ve been checking out this month

3 October, 2016

With the diverse range of vehicles covered by our motoring titles, New Zealand Classic Car, NZV8, and NZ Performance Car, it’s clear that the car enthusiast demographic is incredibly varied. So how do you curate a shopping basket to cater for a car person, whether they’re into imports, V8s, or classics? Our editors have discovered a heap of products this month, and there’s sure to be something that every car enthusiast will want to add to their collection.

Braking power

These Project Mu two-piece SCR-Pro rotors have all the features you will find in a race option, packaged to fit onto standard cars. Perfect for all the weekend warriors, the cast-iron design has high levels of carbon and alloy, incorporating eight straight slots and an advanced core-vane design to improve heat dissipation — the included anodized, billet-alloy disc hats also make them lighter than OEM rotors.

To get your hands on the SCR-Pro rotors contact the North Shore Toyota team on 09 444 8825, or visit facebook.com/NSToyotaParts.

Glass galore

Whether you’ve got a street machine, a classic cruiser or a dedicated track car, Sandbrooks has just the windscreen you need. Standard windscreens can be sourced for most car makes and models, and they also offer a range of Rennenglas road-legal heated laminated glass windscreens — remove your heavy heater and install a heated windscreen to reduce on-track weight.

Prices vary depending on application and requirements, so contact the team on 09 278 9816, email [email protected] for more information, or visit sandbrooks.co.nz.

Drop in stock

Drop spindles are the best way to lower your car’s front end without adversely affecting suspension geometry — great for improving both stance and handling. Rods by Reid now has stock of its high-quality LVVTA-approved two-inch drop spindles to suit Holden front ends and its own LVVTA type-approved front suspension systems.

A pair goes for $975 (excl. GST), but get in quick — these drop spindles are very popular! Give the team a call on 07 552 5977, or visit online at rodsbyreid.co.nz or facebook.com/rodsbyreid.

The sound of power

If you’re after a quality muffler or resonator for your build, it’s hard to look past the range of AdrenalinR items manufactured right here in New Zealand. They’re made in-house from T304-grade stainless steel, so quality is assured, and they include patented spiral louvre baffles which disrupt and disperse sound waves, resulting in a lower decibel reading while increasing gas flow through the spiral scavenging effect. The louvre baffles have a 4.5-inch body diameter, and can be made to a range of inlet sizes — from two-inch to 3.5-inch. Need to know more? For more information visit adrenalinr.com or call 06 870 3526.

Charge to go

No garage is complete without a jump starter, so make yours a Jumpspower AMG15. Suitable for jump-starting up to 12-cylinder petrol or diesel engines under seven litres, the AMG15 also doubles as a portable power bank for smaller electrical devices. Its rugged case is resistant to both water and dust ingress, making it a perfect all-rounder suitable even for marine and heavy-duty workshop applications.

It’s priced at $259, and you can find more information by visiting jumpspower.co.nz.

Cool coolers

Start pinching the pennies, offer to vacuum for the rest of the year, or just beg the other half, because you’ve got to get yourself a Beerbowser. Beerbowser fridges are hand-crafted in New Zealand to replicate old-school petrol bowsers from the ’50s and ’60s, and they don’t just look the part — built around a Haier fridge, they’re brand new and come with a 12-month warranty. Priced from $2499 (incl. GST) and with a range of options available, visit beerbowser.co.nz or phone 09 971 8191 to complete your man cave!

Heritage Collection

The legend of the XKSS lives on through the Jaguar Heritage Collection — a celebration of this truly iconic vehicle. Inspired by the car’s rebellious personality and the personalities who’ve loved it, this exclusive range of luxury accessories and collectables is injected with the classic, understated style of the era. View the collection online at jaguar.co.nz/collection, or enquire with your nearest Jaguar retailer.

Twin peaks – 1990 BMW M325i pairing

5 June, 2025

The endearing E30 range has spawned a few modern classics and the poster car is undeniably the homologation-special M3. But what if you want M3 looks, genuine sporting character, and a sensible price tag? The obvious answer is the M325i, the best E30 model to be sold new in New Zealand between 1987 and 1991. With an M-Tech body kit, upgraded factory specification, and right-hand drive layout, it’s no wonder these finely honed cars are so highly prized. They have, in fact, been on collectors’ radars for many years now.
It’s hard to find significantly better examples than the near-identical Brilliant Red cars assembled here. These are post-facelift M-Technic II models and both were registered locally in May 1990. A minor difference in their specifications is one has silvery-grey velour throughout the cabin and the other darker grey upholstery. Other than that, after 30 years on Kiwi roads, it’s not easy to tell the cars apart from 10 paces.

Britannia rules the roads – Royal Tour Cars – part 1

30 May, 2025

Today we take royal tours for granted, but once upon a time, or at any time before the 20th century, it was impossible for our monarchs to visit their downunder dominions because of the distances involved and the unreliable transport.
The advent of steam power for ships and trains, the evolution of the motor car and, finally, the arrival of passenger air travel shrank their world, and ours, considerably, and the royal tour became a feature of the empire and the Commonwealth.
The first British royal visitor to Aotearoa, New Zealand, was Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1920. During his 28-day tour, he travelled mostly by the royal train, which was both safer and more convenient for royal personages. A variety of best-available cars were used locally. Ideally, these would be Daimlers.