Get your hands on the August 2016 issue of New Zealand Classic Car now!

10 August, 2016

The August 2016 issue of New Zealand Classic Car has hit a shelf near you! Take a sneak peek at what to expect from the glossy pages of this issue.

When David Burke-Kennedy went to visit the owner of this beautifully restored Triumph Herald, he was surprised in more ways than one.

Packard was once the standard by which other cars were measured. The quality of its cars was such that in the 1920s the company could justifiably claim that its cars were Rolls-Royces without the oil leaks. Take a look at what the Packard Automotive Plant looks like these days here

We take a look at the history behind VW’s war machine, the Type 82 Kubelwagen, and its progression into the car we know as the Beetle. 

Lachlan Jones experiences Rolls-Royce’s breathtaking new Dawn convertible for a day and gives us his verdict. 

This month we delve deep into the innards of the internal-combustion engine, and look at the intricacies of rebuilding and reconditioning it — we talk to the experts. You can find your local specialists here.

For all of this, plus much, much more, grab the August issue of New Zealand Classic Car now:


Motorman: When the top trio took to the road

What sort of cars did Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme drive when they weren’t on the race track? Motorman knows
Most top racing drivers do care about safety levels of road-going cars for everyday motorists and their all-round abilities behind the wheel. Jackie Stewart for one denied finding everyday driving boring. He took pride in giving his passengers the smoothest possible ride, and encouraged all drivers to actively engage in the task. They also make interesting choices for their transport away from competitive motoring.
Thirty years ago I spent a day with Chris Amon driving on lower North Island roads and I can remember those informative few hours as vividly as if they were yesterday. In 1983 Chris accepted a challenge from Toyota New Zealand to improve its locally assembled cars in a relationship that extended well beyond the end of New Zealand-built Toyota vehicles in 1997.

The Ayrburn Classic announces dates for 2026

Save the date: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 February 2026
That’s right. The Ayrburn Classic returns next February for what promises to be another world-class celebration, scheduled slightly earlier on the calendar to bask in Central Otago’s long golden evenings and late-summer glow. This festival will once again transform Ayrburn into a playground for car enthusiasts, food lovers, and seekers of high-end hospitality alike.
The 2025 edition set an incredibly high benchmark, and is fast becoming one of the leading reasons to visit Queenstown – amongst New Zealanders and international travellers alike. With over 250 classic and contemporary luxury vehicles on display – collectively worth more than $250 million – the festival was a visual and visceral feast for attendees.
Standouts included an $8 million LaFerrari, the latest Aston Martin Vanquish, and a fleet of dream machines from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and more. The event’s unique blend of elegance and accessibility attracted both seasoned collectors and casual admirers aplenty.