Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club Annual Car Show and Swap Meet

8 December, 2015

Held on Sunday, November 8 at the Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club’s Cliff Road HQ, overlooking the upper reaches of Tauranga Harbour, this annual show has now become a popular fixture with the local classic car scene.

With around 70 classic motorbikes, cars, and trucks on show, plus an interesting swap meet, all surrounded by local rose gardens, this is one event visitors to the region should definitely add to their diary.

With the sight and sound of classic vehicles, the smell and the beauty of the roses, the taste of sweet and savoury in the tearoom — the show’s organizers once again should be well satisfied with their efforts, and if asked they would be able to say that everything had come up roses.

You can see a gallery of the event below:

For a full event report, pick up a copy of the January 2016 edition of New Zealand Classic Car magazine from Monday, December 14.

How to switch to an alternator

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

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.”