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New Zealand Classic Car 378, June 2022 is out now!

30 May, 2022

When it comes to big Aussie sixes, we naturally think of Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores. However, back in the ’70s Ford offered another option, taking the average-sized English Cortina and squeezing the 4.1-litre Falcon engine under the bonnet. This tempted only a few of Ford’s customers away from the much-loved Falcon. Read the full story in New Zealand Classic Car 378

 


 

We also find out what it takes to bring an MG basket case back to life: self-reliance, dogged determination, and an epic restoration project — resulting in one of the best MGs we’ve ever seen.

We often hear about the little old lady who only drove her car to church on Sundays. The story is almost true for our featured Ford Galaxie, which was owned by a lady from Austin, South Dakota, for 48 years. She wanted comfort, reliability, and a good-looking car, and she certainly got all three.

Check out one man’s tribute to one of Bruce McLaren’s victorious Can-Am cars, plus much more, including a full and comprehensive official Targa New Zealand programme, with maps, itineraries, driver profiles, and listings.

What to expect in the June 2022 issue of NZCC


Galaxie time capsule: A star in their eyes 


Back from the brink

 Feature Car: 1968 MGB GT


Building a winner 

Feature: McLaren M20

Plus lots more in New Zealand Classic Car 378!



GET YOUR COPY HERE

“Gotcha!’’ The continuing tale of a Nissan/Datsun tragic – part two

8 May, 2026

In 1996, I was on a mission to buy a suitable pavement scorcher and visited the now-defunct Manukau City Car Fair. Unbelievably, among the sea of four-door utilitarian Japanese compacts was the absolute jewel in the crown, my automobile wet dream — a 1985 two-door R30 RS Nissan Skyline FJ20 Turbo five-speed manual in nice condition. The owner wanted $10,000 — a great deal.
But what did I do? I bailed out, paralysed by indecision. The money would have been a stretch, but it was the worst automotive choice I ever made. Instead, I went for a rusty Toyota Sprinter 8 Valve Twin Cam Coupé, which was pretty terminal from the get-go. I know. We’ve all done it, but there was really no excuse for passing up the Skyline, and I was haunted by that for years.

Last Tango in the Fast Lane

30 April, 2026

In the mid ’80s, I locked into a serious Nissan/Datsun performance obsession. It could have kicked off with my ’82 Datsun Sunny, though this would have been a bit of a stretch of the imagination, given its normally aspirated 1.2-litre motor — not the sort of thing to unleash radical road warrior dreams. But it did plant a seed, and it was a sweet little machine and surprisingly quick, in contrast to all the diabolical English offerings I had endured.
I was living in South Auckland at the time and was an unrepentant petrolhead. Motor racing was my drug of choice, and I followed the scene slavishly. Saloon car racing, with the arrival of the international Group A formula, was having a serious renaissance here and in Australia and Europe. There was suddenly an exotic air in local racing that had been absent for 15 years.
I was transfixed by this new frontier of motor racing that had hit our tracks in 1985–87 and the new array of machinery on display. In 1986, the Nissan Skyline RS DR30 made a blinding impression on me. The Australian Fred Gibson-run, Peter Jackson-sponsored team of George Fury and Glenn Seton were the fastest crew of the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship. But Kiwi legend Robbie Francevic snuck through to win the Aussie Championship in his Volvo 240T after a strong start and consistent finishes.