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Enthusiast essential: Stay cool with Adrad

3 May, 2018

 

 

Older classics are often let down by their cooling systems, which were designed in the days when rush hour really was just an hour. But overheating is avoidable, and the team at Adrad can sort you out with a high-quality cooling system.

They can custom-design radiators for both classic and modern performance cars and have a huge range of aftermarket radiators, cores, and components — all of which have been proven in New Zealand and Australian conditions. All radiators come with a nationwide warranty, so you won’t be left steaming on the side of the road.

Visit 0800radiators.co.nz or phone 0800 RADIATORS (723 428) for more info.

Twin peaks – 1990 BMW M325i pairing

5 June, 2025

The endearing E30 range has spawned a few modern classics and the poster car is undeniably the homologation-special M3. But what if you want M3 looks, genuine sporting character, and a sensible price tag? The obvious answer is the M325i, the best E30 model to be sold new in New Zealand between 1987 and 1991. With an M-Tech body kit, upgraded factory specification, and right-hand drive layout, it’s no wonder these finely honed cars are so highly prized. They have, in fact, been on collectors’ radars for many years now.
It’s hard to find significantly better examples than the near-identical Brilliant Red cars assembled here. These are post-facelift M-Technic II models and both were registered locally in May 1990. A minor difference in their specifications is one has silvery-grey velour throughout the cabin and the other darker grey upholstery. Other than that, after 30 years on Kiwi roads, it’s not easy to tell the cars apart from 10 paces.

Britannia rules the roads – Royal Tour Cars – part 1

30 May, 2025

Today we take royal tours for granted, but once upon a time, or at any time before the 20th century, it was impossible for our monarchs to visit their downunder dominions because of the distances involved and the unreliable transport.
The advent of steam power for ships and trains, the evolution of the motor car and, finally, the arrival of passenger air travel shrank their world, and ours, considerably, and the royal tour became a feature of the empire and the Commonwealth.
The first British royal visitor to Aotearoa, New Zealand, was Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1920. During his 28-day tour, he travelled mostly by the royal train, which was both safer and more convenient for royal personages. A variety of best-available cars were used locally. Ideally, these would be Daimlers.