Legends of Speed: muscle and classic fans rejoice!

6 April, 2016

When you’ve got this many ‘legends of speed’ on your doorstep, an hour south of Auckland city, at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, you’d be a sucker if you didn’t check it out. Legends of Speed, held April 3, was an action-packed day of racing, including the BMW Racing Series, Historic Muscle Cars, the quirky Alfa Trofeo Series, Historic Sports Sedans, and the Formula Fords of yesteryear. Despite the terrible weather, or should we say slippery weather, racing was exciting, with every class and series bringing their own unique element to the tarmac. 

If you didn’t make it along, sit back, relax, and enjoy this gallery that the talented Matt Smith photographed. 

Hiroshima Express

One of the rarest Mazdas,and amongst one of the rarest production cars in the World, a 1967 Series 1, Cosmo made its public debut at the 2025 Cromwell Classic and Hot Rod Car Show on Saturday January 18 this year.
After a challenging 5-year restoration, its proud Cromwell owner, Mike Elford celebrated its appearance along with Dunedin specialist, Mazda rotary engine builder, Cory Wilson who trallered the car through to the show.
“There are a number of details still to attend to and fine-tune the engine and then it will at last be finished. I’m very pleased with the result,” Cory said.
Mike is extremely pleased with the end now in sight of what has been a very challenging project. The tiny jewel of Japanese motoring engenuity attracted many on-lookers at the show as it sat glistening in the sun on an appropriately brilliant Central Otago summer’s day.

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.