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A Legend Returns

15 October, 2025

A Historic Ferrari Monza 750 Joins the 2026 Ayrburn Classic Line-Up – 20-22 February 2026
The Ayrburn Classic, one of the most anticipated motoring events on the New Zealand calendar, is set to take things up a gear in 2026 with a line-up that promises to captivate enthusiasts and the general public alike. Following the success of the inaugural event, the Ayrburn Classic returns with a recently confirmed feature that is nothing short of extraordinary: the historic Ferrari Monza 750 – a masterpiece of motorsport and one of the most significant vehicles to race on New Zealand soil.

Legendary status
This particular Ferrari Monza 750, which arrived in New Zealand in 1957 and has remained here ever since, holds a legendary status in motorsport history. It competed in the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and the Targa Florio – the ‘Big Three’ of European endurance racing during the golden era of the sport. Few cars can claim such provenance, and even fewer have such a deep and poignant connection to New Zealand’s own racing legacy.
Tragically, the Ferrari Monza 750 was involved in a fatal accident at Ardmore in 1957, marking the final moments of British driver Ken Wharton, whose last photograph was taken next to this very car. The vehicle has since been meticulously preserved, with images from the aftermath of the crash etched in motorsport history. Today, it stands as a symbol of both the bravery of that era and the enduring beauty of Italian automotive craftsmanship.

Once-in-a-generation opportunity
Incredibly, the Ferrari Monza 750 has not been seen in the South Island since 1967 –  nearly 60 years ago – and has only been publicly displayed a handful of times, all in the North Island. Its appearance at the 2026 Ayrburn Classic is not just a homecoming; it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
This extraordinary Ferrari will be presented within Maranello Magic, a newly introduced display class that will host the largest collection of Ferraris ever assembled in the South Island, created in partnership with the Ferrari Owners Club of New Zealand. For motoring fans, this promises to be a show-stopping centrepiece.

Much more than just a car show
Set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Ayrburn precinct – a reimagined 150-year-old farm estate where heritage meets indulgence – the Ayrburn Classic is more than just a car show. It’s a celebration of style, passion and craftsmanship. With sweeping lawns, historic architecture, world-class gardens, award-winning dining and vibrant bars, Ayrburn offers the perfect stage for a showcase of motoring excellence.

Enter a vehicle:
Car owners are invited to secure their place in the festival, alongside the legendary Ferrari Monza 750. With spaces limited, immediate entry is highly encouraged.
Purchase a ticket:
Tickets to the Ayrburn Classic 2026 are now available. Don’t miss your chance to witness history, revel in Ayrburn’s unmatched atmosphere, and see the Ferrari Monza 750 up close. With single-day, weekend, and family passes available, there’s a suitable option for all. Children under 12 years of age enter for free.

For further information, please contact:
Marketing Manager
Ella James
[email protected]

NZ Classic Car magazine, September/October 2026 issue 407, on sale now

16 August, 2026

We love bugs!
A bit of TLC that became a major restoration
The 1302S, or ‘Super Beetle’ as it became known, was built for two years before it, too, was replaced by a further-enhanced Beetle, the 1303, continuing an amazing 65-year lineage for one of the World’s best-known shapes.
The world’s best-selling single-model vehicle, the VW Beetle, possibly established another record for the amount of controversy it has created since the inception of the Type 1.
In a meeting with Hitler in June 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was contracted to build a ‘People’s Car’ that could accommodate two adults and three children, was air-cooled and simple to maintain, and could cruise economically at moderate speed along Germany’s proposed new Autobahns.
Our feature car, a 1972 1302S ‘Super Beetle’, was found by Dave and Michelle Dickie in Mosgiel a few years back. It was a runner, but like most VWs of this age, it needed a little TLC. They were looking for a daily driver for Michelle when they first came upon the VW being sold locally on behalf of its owner.
“The owner offered it to his grandchildren, and they didn’t want it, so he got the guy out at Mosgiel in the Mobil petrol station to sell it for him, and he put it on Trade Me for them. We never met the owner, and we were always dealing with the guy at the petrol station. We put a bid on it, and we were the only people that bid on it.”
Their bid was eventually successful, eight years ago. Not knowing much of the history, in situations like that, it’s always a risk buying a car, but they were in for a bit of a surprise.

The other Q car

12 August, 2026

Say the word ‘bond’ to anyone in the street and around 80 per cent straight away think of pop culture’s least-secret secret agent. The other 20 per cent may think of the wad of cash required to secure a flat or hire equipment that one gets back providing the fixtures and fittings stay much as they were.
However, mention ‘bond’ in specialist classic car circles and people will spin a very different yarn. If you dig deep enough, you will find an eccentric British carmaker that, throughout its 23 years in business, spawned some quirky and charming little cars.
The company was founded by Paul Sharp in 1922 under the name of Sharp’s Commercials Limited. However, the company did not start producing cars until 1948. The first car to carry the Bond name was the Bond Minicar. A three-wheeled, soft-top, two-cylinder eco car, the Minicar was a big hit at the time as the desire for an economical urban runabout that didn’t attract four-wheel car tax was strong in post-war Britain. All in all, 34,285 Minicars were produced over 26 years in a variety of variants.