Rattle ya dags and get yourself to Fieldays

15 June, 2017

It’s that time of year again where what seems like every ute in the country converges on Mystery Creek in Hamilton for Fieldays. 2017 sees the biggest event yet with hundreds of companies spruiking their wares to the masses of visitors that’ll pass through the gates of Mystery Creek over the coming days.


The scale of the event is immense. 

The scale of the event is immense. 

Unfortunately, I’m afflicted with city slicker-itis which renders most of the products on display useless in my day-to-day life. But like any good Kiwi bloke with an imagination and an internet connection, I can dream of joining the farming fraternity. I can look at pieces of land and half million dollar tractors imagining I know the difference between a post hole borer and a cow.


The Isuzu D-Max demonstrating its 49 degree hill-crawling capabilities.

The Isuzu D-Max demonstrating its 49 degree hill-crawling capabilities.

Of course, I was interested in was the cars, and there are plenty to choose from. Some new manufacturers have gone all out in putting together amazing stands for the event. This is not only an opportunity to show off new models and their current range, but to do get in amongst the community and speak with current and prospective customers.


Toyota are taking their relationship with Swanndri seriously.

Toyota are taking their relationship with Swanndri seriously.


Volkswagen have jumped on the "clothing your car" bandwagon, too. 

Volkswagen have jumped on the “clothing your car” bandwagon, too. 


7,000kg towing capacity on show from the now right hand drive Dodge Ram.

7,000kg towing capacity on show from the now right hand drive Dodge Ram.

I was also impressed by the number of classic and race cars companies were using on their stand, be it a sponsored race car or a tidy old ute


Coresteel Brute taking pride of place

Coresteel Brute taking pride of place


Kombi pickup in stunning condition

Kombi pickup in stunning condition

For the actual farmers among us, there is certain to be some value adds for every part of your operation so we encourage you to head to Mystery Creek and get amongst the action. The event is running until this Saturday so you’d best rattle ya dags!

For more information, visit www.fieldays.co.nz

Luxury by design

How do you define luxury? To some it is being blinded with all manner of technological wizardry, from massaging heated seats to being able to activate everything with your voice, be it the driver’s side window or the next track on Spotify. To others, the most exorbitant price tag will dictate how luxurious a car is.
For me, true automotive luxury comes from being transported in unparalleled comfort, refinement, and smoothness of power under complete control. Forget millions of technological toys; if one can be transported here and there without the sensation of moving at all, that is luxury — something that is perfectly encapsulated by the original Lexus LS400. It was the first truly global luxury car from Toyota, and one that made the big luxury brands take notice.

NZ Classic Car magazine, January/February 2026 issue 403, on sale now

Morris’ ground-breaking, world-beating, Minor
It was Britain’s biggest small car, and it got Britain mobile again.       Morris Motors celebrated its millionth Minor in December 1960, a car that defined the British motor industry, and was in production for 10 years alongside the iconic Mini of 1959.
Whakatane dentist John Twaddle has a passion for Morris Minors going back to 1982, and he still has his first example. There are now three ‘Morries’ in his garage. One, however, is quite special, a rare ‘Minor-Million’. 
One of just 350 made commemorating the millionth Morris Minor produced, the first British car to hit a million units, the well-rounded little Brit’ would end production in 1971with a tally of over 1.6 million units.
John finished his Minor Million six years ago, resplendent in lilac, its official factory colour. He calls it his ‘Minor Resurrection’, and it has won numerous awards.
This summer edition also comes with our annual FREE classic car calendar, a must for every garage wall.
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, our poster is of a couple of garage mates, a 1957 Ford Ranchero and a 1968 Lincoln Continental.