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The winning issue of New Zealand Classic Car

7 April, 2016

 


New Zealand Classic Car Issue No. 304 gives you an in-depth look at the individual, survivor, and team winners at the 2016 New Zealand Classic Car show held in February. We drive the new Ford Mustangs, and we introduce our newest feature ‘Classic Marketplace’ covering the world of classic car auctions and investments with James Nicholls Sotheby’s Australia. Don’t miss all of our regular features from Cars for Sale (including two gems from down south in the Editor’s Pick section), and a full round-up of all the classic motorsport action from around the country.

2016 New Zealand Classic Car Show

Individual Winner: 1961 E-Type Roadster

Follow the journey of Simon Crispe’s immaculate E-Type from Scotland to Dubai, to these fair shores and see what goes into building a winning car.

Teams Winner: Team Porsche

Dean Huston was service manager at Continental Porsche for many years so naturally, his 1970 911 is something special. A story of true camaraderie and passion.

David and Michelle Mackrell’s 356A is a gorgeous piece of machinery treated to the best by the best. Their passion for the brand knows no limits.

Survivor Winner: MGTF

This fantastic little MG has a wonderful history and story that begins 80 years ago.

Grab your copy of New Zealand Classic Car Issue No. 304 to check out the stories behind all of these beautiful cars. The magazine is in store now, or you can buy a copy below:




Buy a print copy of the magazine for NZ$10


Buy a digital copy of the magazine for NZ$6.99

Motorman: Blame it on Rio!

22 May, 2025

Following the third polite advisory, I figured there had to be a fair degree of substance to the warning. “If this is your first visit to Rio de Janeiro, please be careful,” came the personal hushed dialogue from the pleasant hostesses on a far from crowded Varig flight from Los Angeles to the famous Brazilian seaside city.
The previous evening I had flown into LA from Auckland en route to the 1985 international launch of the Fiat Uno Turbo. I was prepared for another long haul of just under 12 hours across Mexico, central America, Colombia, and central Brazil to that nation’s third largest city. Surprisingly the 10,500km run from Los Angeles to Rio is actually longer than the 8800km LA-London air route.
With the journey including a brief stopover in Honolulu I expected to travel just under 44,000km for the return journey to sample what was to be a low-volume version of a popular Italian car that would sell in even lower numbers in New Zealand. I like to think this shows nothing more than my deep commitment to my craft. In fact, even though I became lost on the homeward journey my total air miles would be little different.

Pinnacle Porsche

15 May, 2025

We were stopped at the side of the road, setting up the next photograph, when a faded Toyota slowed alongside and stopped. The window was already down to give the driver a good look.
“That’s my dream car,” he said, speaking for more than a few of us.
He drank in the gleaming red paint, shining in the sun, and the car’s purposeful swoops and curves. He exhaled half a lungful of cigarette smoke, gave a hang 10–style thumbs up and drove off.
On the side of the road, against a clear blue background, the Porsche stood out in all its stark red glory. It’s the classic 911 shape on steroids. It has the fat, even pouty, front lip of the G series 911s, added to comply with 5mph bumper restrictions in the US. It also has the oversized haunches to accommodate the wider rear wheels and tyres – a first for Porsche, which also confirmed its supercar credentials – and, most noticeably of all, that enormous whale-tail spoiler. They made it look as if Porsche had abandoned its restraint.