SUBSCRIBE TO THE
MAGAZINE NOW
Facebook-f Instagram

The tangled and interesting history of this Lotus 22

8 December, 2016

As part of international Diamond Jubilee celebrations, many overseas Formula Junior racers are scheduled to compete alongside locals in special races to be held at Hampton Downs, Taupō, Ruapuna, Levels, and Teretonga this summer. To mark the occasion we look at the history behind the Lotus 22 once raced in New Zealand by Roly Levis in the early ’60s

In September 1963, Roly Levis placed an advertisement in the classifieds columns of UK magazine, Autosport. Looking to purchase a Lotus 22, Roly’s advert called for a car in good condition with a Hewland five-speed gearbox at a ‘non-comic’ price.

Subsequently, he purchased the Lotus directly from Jonathan Williams who, in 1967, would drive his one and only Formula 1 Grand Prix for Ferrari as teammate to Chris Amon in Mexico — coincidentally on the same day as Denny Hulme was crowned world champion.

Have a look at a few additional photos that didn’t make it into the feature in the January issue of New Zealand Classic Car (Issue No. 313) — grab your copy here to read the full story.

View fullsize

0N0A4355.jpg

View fullsize

0N0A4380.jpg

View fullsize

0N0A4384.jpg

View fullsize

0N0A4436.jpg

View fullsize

0N0A4449.jpg

View fullsize

0N0A4459.jpg


NZCC_313_20161212_001_OFC_02_1024x1024.jpg



Grab a copy of the mag now!

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.