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Celebrating 300 issues: the special edition of New Zealand Classic Car

31 December, 2015

With the January edition of New Zealand Classic Car now on sale, we celebrate our 300th issue with a special edition of New Zealand’s first and best classic car magazine. And, as a special bonus for our readers, every copy comes with a 2016 New Zealand Classic Car calendar and a terrific pack of classic car playing cards.

In what has now become something of a summertime tradition, our January cover car is a rare and rather splendid coach-built Ford Zodiac Estate — one of a number of bespoke vehicles built by Abbotts of Farnham.

Moving away from British Fords, we indulge ourselves and take a test drive in a pair of classic supercars — Ferrari’s fabled flat-12 Testarossa and Lamborghini’s totally over-the-top Countach.

Meanwhile, we also give readers an insight into what it takes to put together an eye-grabbing New Zealand Classic Car front cover — and reveal, for the first time, some of our more crazy ideas.

All your favourites are on board as well — Nationwide News, Behind the Garage Door, Motorsport Flashback, and, of course, Donn Anderson is Motor Man.

Pick up your copy of our 300th edition at your local supermarket or bookshop, or buy a print copy or a digital copy of the magazine below: 




Buy a print copy of the magazine for NZ$10


Buy a digital copy of the magazine for NZ$6.99

A diamond in the rough

24 June, 2025

Two years ago, Lew finished a thorough restoration and the impressive ute has taken on a new life and colour. Lew plays down the amount of effort required but, despite his protestations, I suspect he put a lot of time into the project. A few unwanted tenants were evicted along the way.
“It didn’t take me long. There had been mice living in the firewall, which had caused a bit of damage. It apparently broke down and was pushed into a shed. It was 20 years to the day when I pulled it out and it sat in my other shed for 3 years before I started on it. That’s why it’s in such good order — it’s been kept in a shed for so long and still is.”

NZ Classic Car magazine, July August 2025 issue 400, on sale now

15 June, 2025

Good for the soul, a dose of Hemi Orange – Chrysler’s champion Charger
The Australian-developed Chrysler Charger was a game changer for the company in 1971, as it faced a faltering start introducing its new VH range. The stylish big coupe signalled a massive change of direction and emphasis for Chrysler.
Auckland racing driver Rod Coppins raced successfully in Australia and New Zealand. Rod found success behind the wheel of a couple of Chargers, and it is a special E49 R/T in the custody of Mike Todd for some years, that is our feature car.
A full restoration of this car has been completed at Auto Restorations (AR) in Christchurch. We recently sampled the car, ready to be shipped back to Mike and spoke to AR’s Harry Dawber, leading the team who completed the superb restoration of this rare piece of NZ motor racing history.
I mentioned that Chrysler Chargers were never built to this standard as we walked around the gleaming Charger in its Hemi Orange colour scheme.
“We took a lot of time getting those shut lines exactly right. It’s been a great car to work on, and the paint and trim have been very well done by the team here.”