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Pukekohe Swap Meet approaching

22 February, 2016

The 39th annual Pukekohe Swap Meet is set to take over the Franklin A&P Showgrounds, Station Road, Pukekohe, on March 5 and 6, 2016.

The event, which is hosted by the Auckland branch of the Chevrolet Enthusiasts Car Club always attracts a huge crowd and offers a great variety of stalls, making for one of the last true swap meets still around. Also, this year’s Targa Rally will be using part of the grounds for their service base, and this will be open to the public to see!

Swap sites are just $40 including entry for the driver, or $15 including driver for Sunday only, with $5 entry on the gate for the public. Entry is free for classics or hot rods on both days.

For those intending on making a weekend of it, remember there are no bar facilities, but you are more than welcome to bring your own refreshments.

Call Rob on 0274 955 567, or email [email protected] for more info. There are a limited number of powered sites available, which need to be booked in advance. 

A diamond in the rough

24 June, 2025

Two years ago, Lew finished a thorough restoration and the impressive ute has taken on a new life and colour. Lew plays down the amount of effort required but, despite his protestations, I suspect he put a lot of time into the project. A few unwanted tenants were evicted along the way.
“It didn’t take me long. There had been mice living in the firewall, which had caused a bit of damage. It apparently broke down and was pushed into a shed. It was 20 years to the day when I pulled it out and it sat in my other shed for 3 years before I started on it. That’s why it’s in such good order — it’s been kept in a shed for so long and still is.”

NZ Classic Car magazine, July August 2025 issue 400, on sale now

15 June, 2025

Good for the soul, a dose of Hemi Orange – Chrysler’s champion Charger
The Australian-developed Chrysler Charger was a game changer for the company in 1971, as it faced a faltering start introducing its new VH range. The stylish big coupe signalled a massive change of direction and emphasis for Chrysler.
Auckland racing driver Rod Coppins raced successfully in Australia and New Zealand. Rod found success behind the wheel of a couple of Chargers, and it is a special E49 R/T in the custody of Mike Todd for some years, that is our feature car.
A full restoration of this car has been completed at Auto Restorations (AR) in Christchurch. We recently sampled the car, ready to be shipped back to Mike and spoke to AR’s Harry Dawber, leading the team who completed the superb restoration of this rare piece of NZ motor racing history.
I mentioned that Chrysler Chargers were never built to this standard as we walked around the gleaming Charger in its Hemi Orange colour scheme.
“We took a lot of time getting those shut lines exactly right. It’s been a great car to work on, and the paint and trim have been very well done by the team here.”