SUBSCRIBE TO THE
MAGAZINE NOW
Facebook-f Instagram

Bangers and Ash: modern dilemma

19 July, 2016

I’m sure you’ve all heard the adage ‘you can’t beat modern technology’ — after all, technology’s something that permeates our daily lives, whether we like it or not. 

I heard it bandied around quite recently when I attended an Auckland Mustang Owners Club run to Kaiaua — via the scenic route around the picturesque Kawakawa Bay — for a hearty fish-and-chip lunch. There were at least 70 Mustangs expected to attend, and, as they arrived at the early morning rendezvous point in South Auckland, I couldn’t help but notice the number of club members driving late-model Mustangs and Shelbys. My inquisitiveness got the better of me, and I couldn’t resist asking one or two club members why they hadn’t brought along their classic Mustangs. 

After a few discussions, I learned that, in some cases, members had simply just gone out and purchased a later-model Mustang specifically for club runs and the like, opting to leave their concours-standard restored classic Mustang tucked safely away in the garage, while others had simply chosen to replace the old with the new. And when I spoke to a couple of new members about what had motivated them to buy a new Mustang, the common response was that, ‘you can’t beat modern technology’ — and, let’s face it, the new Mustangs don’t look too bad either.

When it comes technological advancements, the automotive industry must certainly be — or be close to — leading the way at a blistering pace, as we discovered earlier this month after spending a day in Rolls-Royce’s opulent new Dawn ragtop (grab a copy of the mag to find out more). Much of this technology is in the realm of safety, or, at least, has some sort of safety focus, while the rest is purely for convenience. Typically, these innovative features, of which there are dozens, make their first appearance in high-end vehicles, before eventually trickling down to the everyday commuter when production costs decline and expectations increase due to awareness. Upmarket options that once wowed the public, such as cruise control, airbags, reversing cameras, satellite navigation, and self-closing doors, to name just a few, are now taken for granted as we demand more from automotive manufacturers.

Naturally, this begs the question, what’s in store for future cars? We’re all aware of the huge technological leaps towards driverless vehicles, and I recently saw a rather interesting television documentary on the development of compact ‘flying’ cars and was amazed at just how far this technology has come. Could this be the answer to our burgeoning Auckland traffic woes? Now, that would make a great story. 

But I digress, and as much as I’m tempted by the cutting-edge technology and stunning looks of the latest Mustang, I’m happy to stick with the old — at least for now, anyway — and leave the nice-to-have stuff in my daily-driver. 

To read the latest from Ashley Webb and the New Zealand Classic Car team, pick up a print copy or a digital copy of the August 2016 issue here:




Grab a print copy of the mag now!


Grab a digital copy of the mag now!

How to switch to an alternator

23 October, 2026

Car electrics can be daunting, but upgrading from a generator to an alternator need not be complicated if you know what pitfalls to avoid.
The challenges you may face when converting a 12-volt generating system to an alternator are:
• Finding brackets to mount the alternator to your engine
• Determining the wiring you want to use for your particular set-up
• Deciding whether you want to use an ammeter, an idiot light, or a voltmeter to monitor your classic’s charging system.

NZ Classic Car magazine, November/December 2026 issue 408, on sale now

18 October, 2026

Star status for classic Porsche
A long search ends: finding the right car
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the Porsche 911 heralded an iconic lineage of sports cars, known for their exceptional performance, remarkable racing reliability, and adaptability, second to none.
New Zealand Classic Car, in conjunction with Star Insure, recently conducted a photo competition to find 13 suitably impressive classics to grace the pages of the magazine’s 2027 calendar. A flood of entries showed that Kiwis recognise eye-catching designs and restorations. Many are handy with a camera, too, and have entered some outstanding results.
The choice was not straightforward, with multiple stunning entries, and Geoff Long’s immaculate 1990 Porsche 911 (964 Factory designation) took top honours. Fortunately, Geoff had Ethan Hanlon handy to take the accompanying photos while working in his office.
“I’ve got a young employee who is doing work experience in my office at the moment, and he’s a very avid photographer. So, I said, I’ll buy you breakfast and then why don’t we go and take some photos. He found the right spot, and he spent over an hour photographing.”
Originally sold new in Japan, hence the right-hand drive, the Porsche was resident there for four years before being exported to New Zealand, as Geoff recalls.
“I bought it two-and-a-half years ago, but I looked for it for over two years, because it’s just the colour scheme, interior and exterior I was after. The service file that came with it is extensive; I mean, it’s been beautifully looked after, which is what I wanted to continue, as it does get driven. It doesn’t sit in the garage.”