Can ‘trucks’ be considered classic cars?

10 November, 2016

Trucks today are no longer simply tools to be used and abused. For the most part, they’re family-friendly, they’re often at the top of the heap in terms of what a manufacturer offers, they’re usually luxurious, they can be fast, and they can be cool.

We now see utes and 4x4s equalling and bettering sales records previously long-held by sedans and hatchbacks, and with this in mind we thought it was a good opportunity to explore where all this came from.

We look at a desire for more space, a higher ride, and the capability to go to the back of beyond when, in reality, we all know the closest these chariots of sports equipment, excessive DIY purchases, and seven seats will generally see of any type of off-roading is occasionally mounting the kerb outside the local intermediate school, while a child does a tumble roll out the back door before the leather-laden space ship rushes to get to that 9am hot yoga class.  

Have a look at a few additional photos that didn’t make it into the feature about these machines in the December issue of New Zealand Classic Car (Issue No. 312) — grab your copy below to read the full story.   


NZCC312 Cover.jpg

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.