Head to Mangawhai

28 November, 2019

The first Saturday of the year will often see classic cars, hot rods, and bikes converging for the annual Black Swamp Rod Run in Mangawhai. The chance to cruise in company around some of Northland’s picturesque coastline followed by a fun afternoon in the Olive Grove with music, food, and plenty of shade usually attracts more than 200 cars.

Register ($20) on the day from 9am —  Saturday, 4 January 2020 — at Mangawhai Domain, Moir St. The cruise starts at 10.45am, heading to Waipu before returning to Mangawhai’s Black Swamp Road Olive Grove for an afternoon of family fun, usually in the sun. Hot food and cold drinks are available.
Thanks to the event’s growing popularity, entry to the Black Swamp Road Olive Grove will be limited to registered event cars.

Members of the public are invited to check out the cars from 9–10.45am for a gold coin donation to Otamatea High School. For more information, call Sandra on 027 531 0788.

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.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.