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Full classic diversity in New Zealand Classic Car Issue No. 305

1 May, 2016

In our May issue, we feature one of the finest American muscle cars  we’ve ever seen, plus an iconic Japanese classic. Also in this issue, we road-test the latest Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe, Donn Anderson shares his romantic attachment with the Alfa Romeo Guili. Also, in Kits and Pieces, Patrick checks out an unusual Tri-Magnum, plus you’ll receive a free Targa Rotorua programme.        

Sandalwood fever

We explore the rich history of the SS396 Chevelle, and find out why this car has become an icon of what is arguably Chevy’s most defining era. We follow Glenn Ripley’s journey to owning one of these stunning beasts and find out how the car made it to our fair shores via a true American history.

Next generation

The newest Porsche 911 — the 991 Generation II — is here and we were lucky enough to get out for a drive. With a brand-new twin-turbocharger set-up, we look into whether Porsche have messed with a winning formula or enhanced the 911 enough to make it feel and drive like a 911 should.

Classic GTO

Trevor Stanley-Joblin’s prophecy of Japanese cars becoming classic has been proven true, and he’s found one for the books (or the magazine, as it were). John Glass tells the story of how he came to own his dream GTO, how he restored it to a class-winning car, and his future-proofed plan to keep it in the family.

The jewel that is New Zealand

We hitch a ride with Jonathon Lyons, the Chairman of Jewel Events, as he takes a group of wonderful cars, and their fabulous drivers, for a driving experience like no other from the bottom to the top of the country, experiencing the best that New Zealand has to offer along the way.

Like what you see? Grab New Zealand Classic Car Issue No. 305 in stores now, or buy it online below, and have it delivered straight to your door.

 




Buy a print copy of the magazine for NZ$10

The Great River Road

4 July, 2025

A few years ago my family, knowing my fondness for driving, gave me the book Unforgettable Road Trips: Thirty-Six Drives of a Lifetime by Martin Derrick. Most of the road trips listed take less than a day in places like Scotland, Monaco, and Australia, plus one in New Zealand. Most of these places were too far to go just for a short drive but four of them would take several days. My interest was piqued, and those four drives were added to the bucket list. To date, I have done three of them: ‘Route 66’ (USA 21 days), ‘State Highway 6’ (NZ 10 days) and ‘The Great River Road’ (USA 22 days). You can drive all of them in less time, but you could also fly over them. We wanted a decent immersion in their charms.
The great river referred to is the Mississippi. While the name conjures the deep south, the river actually starts at the bottom of the great lakes, before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico about 3800km later. The great road is more of a concept than a specific strip of tarmac, as you can drive down either side of the river on various routes. Regardless of which side you drive, time should be kept aside for detours to places such as Nashville, which is famous for something or other.

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.”