BMW’s flagship techno showcase
The supermodel 1995 BMW 840Ci is simply elegant, perfectly engineered.
BMW’s 840 Ci flagship Coupe provides superb comfort and equipment packaged in a stylish body, with grand-touring performance and surprisingly competent handling for its size.
It’s the kind of machine that stands apart from the start. When BMW first unveiled its flagship Grand Tourer at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, the automotive world blinked twice. Sleek, low, and impossibly modern for its era, it combined drama with a sort of purposeful understatement. This silhouette still looks striking today, long after its peers have faded into obscurity.
Initially offered with a range of engines, the model you’re reading about is the V8 iteration, featuring a 4.0-litre eight-cylinder heart under its long bonnet and a smooth five-speed automatic at the back. It wasn’t about blistering sprint times so much as effortless velocity. There was power on tap, sure, but the way it delivered thrust felt unhurried and measured – the automotive equivalent of a deep exhale on a long drive.
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, it’s a 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, C2.
To purchase a copy of this magazine, head here to Classic Car’s very own online shop
Almac Cars – The Second Chapter
40 years of production takes on a new persona.
Cobra replicas have been made at Almac’s Upper Hutt factory for 40 years. With new ownership by Matamata Panelworks, a fresh era in custom sports car manufacturing is about to begin.
Once the decision was made to purchase Almac Cars, Matamata Panelworks had to first approach Shelby American, as they had a licensing agreement with another company to build Shelby-branded Cobras for the local US market. Fortunately, Shelby American saw no conflict of interest with the Matamata company building Cobras. New Zealand was too far away to be a threat to the US market. Negotiations began with Alex McDonald to buy the jigs and moulds for both the Clubsprint, a car inspired by the Lotus 7, and the Almac 427SC.
The long road-part 1
Back in the 1950s, Jaguar’s Mark I and II models graced our race circuits in plentiful numbers. The attractive sports saloons performed well, and their distinctive howl of that amazing twin-cam six-cylinder engine often headed the pack home.
The arrival of big-capacity US V8s in the late ‘60s in the UK blunted the cat’s claws, and almost overnight, most were relegated to the odd club, classic races, or hillclimbs, while many others were stored away. A notable few soldiered on, well looked after and maintained in classic racing.
Overseas, Jaguars scooped trophies in British and continental saloon car racing and rallying in the hands of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Roy Salvadori (Coombs-tuned cars), Graham Hill, Sir John Whitmore, Peter Nocker, Bernard Consten and many others. Notice how many of the top drivers were also involved in open-wheeler racing, mainly Formula 1?
Here in New Zealand, early owners of these distinctive Jaguar saloons were very much enthusiasts of the marque.
The great debate – Commodore SS vs Dodge Daytona
When it comes to sitting outside a café with a coffee, listening to the cars driving by, the gentle rumble of a V8 will always capture the attention of anybody with even the remotest interest in cars.
There is something about that deep, even base note that exudes power and the promise of great things. Over the decades, a few V8 engines have become legendary.
We will look at just two of them that battled it out during the early 2000s with the same displacement but completely different manufacturers and histories: the Chevrolet 5.7-litre LS1 and the Chrysler 5.7-litre HEMI.
Saintly intervention: Halo restored, a rare Swede survives
A chance encounter provides a rare Jensen-built Volvo P1800, a long-time family favourite. Patrick looks inside the popular Swede’s mystique.
As an automotive writer, I consider myself fortunate to have discovered a car that is quite rare and may be the only one of its kind in New Zealand. The Volvo P1800 featured in this story is likely the only one in the country that Jensen Motors built in England. Other P1800s found here are visually distinct, as they were manufactured in-house by Volvo in Sweden after the company terminated its contract with Jensen.
The last real Rover – 1995 Rover SD1 Vanden Plas
Martin and Louise Derrington’s Rover SD1 Vanden Plas was built during the period of contentious British Leyland management and a less-than-favourable industrial climate, yet, despite these challenges, it was well regarded by many as a very capable design. In the Derrington’s case, it is a very special car.
Over the past 15 years, Martin has devoted many hours to bringing his Rover 3500 Vanden Plas up to the superb condition you see in these photos, as he explains.
“My wife bought it for me as an anniversary present, and it actually came from a one-lady owner. I got it with very low Kms on the clock, so, yes, it looks tidy, doesn’t it? That was about 14-15 years ago, and she bought it for me off the guy she worked with. It was his mum’s car.”
Cruisin’ in the gal – 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 ‘Victoria’
Alan McHattie loved big American cars with a big, lazy V8, and he searched far and wide for the right car until, right there in his Central Otago hometown, he stumbled across an original big Ford at a local garage.
Alan McHattie always wanted a big American car, something from the ‘60s era suitable for cruising those long, open Central Otago roads. There were plenty of them available, in all sizes and price ranges. He looked everywhere but just couldn’t find the one that ticked all the boxes.
At the time, Alan and his wife, Louise, were living in Cromwell, and, by coincidence, their search would end there.
Sadly, Alan became ill and passed away in 2023, but not before finding his dream American cruiser, enjoying a few years driving it, and the arrival of his daughter, Hazel.
A catholic taste for automobiles – The Pope’s eclectic fleet of vehicles
James Nicholls was excited to be in Italy and looking forward to serving as a judge for the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, and no less to staying at the impeccable Hotel Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Roma. His excitement was quashed as he waited to board a tourist boat in Positano, when a phone call changed his plans.
The phone call was from the inestimable Chief Judge Adolfo Orsi, and I knew what he would say. The event would have to be postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis a few days earlier. There was just no way that any event, car, sporting, touristic, or whatever, would be able to happen on the same day that the funeral service at St Peter’s Basilica and the procession to His Eminence’s final resting place and internment in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. There are, after all, more important things than motor cars.
Hot mustard
Kiwis have a strong affinity for the Chrysler Charger, and from an Australian perspective, Phillip Rizzo found his dream Charger and restored it to make up for the memory of when, as a youngster, his father’s pride-and-joy Charger was stolen from their home.
Our 400th issue cover of New Zealand Classic Car sparked a lot of interest for an Australian reader, Phillip Rizzo, when we featured Auto Restoration’s stunning restoration of the ex-Rod Coppins Chrysler Charger commissioned by Mike Todd. A devoted enthusiast, Phillip owns a beautifully restored E49 R/T Charger in ‘Hot Mustard’, one of the great colour names Chrysler used in the past.
Kits and Pieces – Saker SV1
Mike Schwen, born and raised in Germany, has led an interesting if somewhat eclectic life. However, it was not until he journeyed to New Zealand on a holiday with a friend that he found a place where he felt he truly belonged.
One day early in 2021, he was flipping through ads online when he saw a picture of what he considered a well-engineered chassis. The words New Zealand designed and built caught his eye, along with what looked to be a very interesting Can-Am-styled body.
The previous owner had decided to convert it into his interpretation of the Batmobile, then put it in the ‘too hard basket’ and advertised it online. This was too good to be true, so he clicked the Buy Now button and arranged to pick it up.
Motorman By Donn Anderson
BMW E30 – a highly successful package
Tracing the history of a BMW model that really cemented the brand in New Zealand. But Donn Anderson now wonders where they have all gone?
Simply because a car was popular when new does not diminish its value or appeal over time. Forty-year-old BMW 3-Series sedans, convertibles and station wagons are genuinely usable classic cars that are not only good to drive but have an edge to their design and still age well. Despite the strong sales here, they are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Generation two BMW E30 3-Series models span 12 years, from 1982 to 1994, and are available with at least five engine sizes. New Zealand would offer many of the versions new, with exceptions including the Four Wheel Drive 325ix (only made in left-hand drive) and the high-performance full-house M3, which is a rare, highly prized import.
The M3 is not to be confused with the run of so-called M325i Motorsport sedans imported into New Zealand from late 1986 and marketed here until 1990. More than 100 M325i sedans were sold locally, equipped with the M-Technic body package, motorsport suspension, 15-inch BBS wheels and limited-slip differential.
Looking back
O.S.C.A. comes to Auckland, part 1 – A Northerner’s OSCA memories
Word leaked out in late Winter ’71 that a wild rebel force was gathering momentum in the South. The nerve centre of operations appeared to be a band of outlaw petrolheads in the genteel metropolis of Christchurch!
Secret meetings of the disenchanted faithful resulted in the formation of a revolutionary new organisation. Its purpose, to seize independence from the iron fist of North Island/NZ motor racing control (Motor Racing Association of NZ or MANZ for short).
Auction Report: Strong sales for the December Webb’s auctions
A Mercedes-Benz was once again a star of the Webb’s Collectors’ Cars pre-Christmas auction in Auckland.
At the July Webb’s auction, a green 1969 Mercedes 280SL Pagoda sold for $352,000 (including commission), and at the most recent auction on December 7, another 280SL was reflecting strong money.
The white-and-black hardtop 1969 280SL W113 Pagoda went under the hammer at $319,000, just short of the $325,000 estimate.
The immaculate automatic transmission example, showing just 80,196 miles, was imported from the UK in 1984 and received a cosmetic and engine restoration.
Melissa’s Garage: vintage in his veins
Oliver Irving and a Passion Beyond His Years
While most 18-year-olds are spending their weekends partying or modifying Japanese imports, Oliver Irving was tucked away in the back shed building his 1928 Ford Pickup!
Oliver’s school years were spent buying and selling old Falcons for parts to help fund his love for the vintage scene. Now just 22 years old, Oliver has started a collection of vintage vehicles – not exactly what you’d expect to see a young guy cruising around in today!
Summer Classic Racing reports
Taupo historic grand prix: Empowering the next generation of rising talent
Giltrap Group Taupō Historic Grand Prix has undoubtedly carved out a place on the racing calendar for all fans of motorsport, celebrating a variety of classic cars brimming with nostalgia while also combining them with modern vehicles to enthral the next generation of drivers.
Classic Southern Racing
SKOPE is one to remember.
The weekend of 6-8 February saw the Mainland come alive with some of the best Classic and Historic motor racing in the country.
The 36th edition of the SKOPE Classic, held at Euromarque Motorsport Park, lived up to the praise it had previously received from spectators and competitors alike.
Market Report: Holden FE/FC
By the mid-fifties, Holden was well and truly on the map. This was largely down to the immense success of the 48-215, FX built from 1948-1952 and the iconic FJ from 1953-1956. As later models become sought after, is there still value in these earlier Holdens in between the very first models and the V8 era, or are they a bargain to be had now? This is the quandary Australian car collectors now face!
Price On: Classic novelty car radios
An option for the classic car enthusiast running out of space.
In the era of the smartphone, we tend to forget that carrying your music in the car once required complicated electronics. The sound experience, depending on the local geography, was not always helpful. Electronics companies had some novel solutions.
The ute and the mafia: Two striking Southern Garage Mates
1957 Ford Ranchero and 1968 Lincoln
Vaughan catches up with Queenstown’s Mark Kelly and his two shining examples of Americarna from Mark’s Garage, showing he has an eye for some great collectables.
You might remember Mark and his 1967 Galaxie from Issue No. 399. Mark also has an early-model Mustang, a Ford Ranchero, and a Lincoln four-door hardtop. Yep, Mark is a Ford guy through and through. We meet a couple of his massive behemoths, leviathans of the road in every sense of the word – The Ranchero and the Lincoln.
A pair of aces: The Collector’s favourite
1969 FORD MUSTANG MACH1, 390, 1970 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302
Ford has sold over 10,000,000 Mustangs since its release on 17 April 1964. Now offered in over 100 countries, it remains the affordable sports car coveted by many and a firm favourite with collectors.
Based on the best-selling Falcon platform, the 1967 model grew longer and wider to accommodate a big-block engine. The 1969 model was slightly widened and substantially lengthened.
For many, the 1969 and 1970 model years are the best-looking shapes, embodying the muscle car craze of the time and competing with other Pony cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and Firebird, as well as the Dodge Challenger and Barracuda (both released in 1970). The Mustang also had big brother cars in the muscle car craze, such as the Ford Torino, Dodge Charger, Roadrunner and Chevrolet Chevelle.
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RUAKAKA CLASSIC & CUSTOM CAR SHOW, CLASSIC ALPINE TOUR 20-23 March 2026, CROMWELL CLASSIC CAR AND HOT ROD FESTIVAL 2026 and much more…
