You can’t beat the feeling
Who would have thought it would become such a worldwide motorsport star when Ford introduced the humble Escort in 1967?
Its popularity, particularly in Mark 1 form, is now of iconic status. Our cover story for this issue is on a 1968 Ford Escort Mark 1, Alan Mann Racing Tribute. We talked with the owner of this very special Escort, finished in tribute also to the owner’s father.
“Most children love speed, and motorsport typically comes courtesy of a parent, and Elliott is no different. His engineer father, Mark, had a love for motorcycles and going fast; however, when children came along, he swapped two wheels for four, in the form of two Ford Escorts.
Little did Mark know it at the time, but the humble Escort was about to weave its way into the family fabric once and for all.
After emigrating from London to New Zealand, Elliott recalled one evening when he was 14 being invited to tag along by his father, helping a friend convert an Escort road car into a racing car. This was the pivotal moment when Elliott remembers the motorsport bug taking over. He knew he had to have his own one.”
Don’t forget that this edition also comes with our FREE huge wall poster.
This issue features our cover car, the 1968 Ford Escort Mark 1, Alan Mann RacingTribute.
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Event report – Ayrburn Classic, Festival of Motoring 2025
A group of classic car enthusiasts, inspired by notable overseas events, put in place a plan celebrating our motoring heritage like no other. The inaugural Ayrburn Classic, Festival of Motoring 2025, held in the historic Ayrburn Precinct at Arrowtown, near Queenstown, in late March, has potential as a world-class attraction.
“Master of ceremonies, Shaun Summerfield, warmed to the enthusiastic crowd gathered around The Dell entertainment area for the finale of the Ayrburn Classic. The successful weekend of stunning displays of millions of dollars worth of glittering cars cossetted in gardens around the bars and restaurants drew the crowds. Further afield, classics parked on the terraced lawns and landscaped gardens glittered in the sun beside small lakes in an atmosphere of Autumn colour that only Central Otago can provide.”
Event report – Napier Art Deco Weekend
Dunedin to Napier is a reasonably long journey no matter what you do, from flying to driving, and for the latter, the short dash across Cook Straight has to be factored into the middle of the journey as well. From experience, that could be anything from a millpond to a sick-bag filling cruise!
This year, Dunedin enthusiasts (or is that masochists!) David and Christine Mehrtens decided they would again attend the Napier Art Deco festival, but this time they would drive the distance in their 1924 Delage DI.
“Hang on a minute. That’s a distance of just over 1100km each way, and what if their 100-year-old car breaks down, we asked David.
“It’s a challenge for the old girl, but she has done big trips such as to Mount Cook from Dunedin,” David replied.
Ah, yes, but this is in heavy traffic all the way, and those North Island roads are less than hospitable for a vintage car, let alone modern in tops.”
Mechanical adventures of an old-school youngblood
Steve Philp talks to Pablo Rabe about his restoration business, passion for old cars and an exciting automotive side hustle, Destination Rally.
If you drive a classic car or motorbike in the Auckland region, you will have made a pilgrimage to Puhoi and its famous old pub for Sunday lunch or a mid-blast beverage. Now, another reason for Puhoi to be on a classic owner’s map is Slow Water Classics.
Steve Philp asks Pablo, “What inspired you to break away from a service garage in Devonport and start Slow Water Classics?
My friend Alistair Caldwell, the former McLaren team boss, encouraged me to go for it. Throughout my mechanical career, I have been drawn to vintage cars. I have a strong interest in fundamental engineering. Whenever an old or unusual vehicle came into the workshop, it sparked my interest and presented a challenge I enjoyed. Over the years, my obsession with classic cars has only deepened. Now, I have fantastic, loyal customers. I am passionate about their vehicles and take great pride in the results. My goal is to elevate the standards and detailing of their cars.”
1987 Holden VL Commodore Berlina – the family workhorse
The Commodore burst onto the market with the VB model in 1978. Despite its smaller size, Australians took to it in their droves, and five models later, in 1986, the VL was launched at a crucial time for the Australian company.
Facing development and stringent emission challenges, the VL was a stopgap financial answer to the company’s immediate problems. Josh Kelly recounts the history of a family survivor of one of these tough ‘Aussies’.
“The Kelly family is well-known around New Zealand for their Minis, but they also have a long association with Holden. Mike was a Holden mechanic for 50 years, starting as an apprentice with A Russell and Co in Invercargill in 1969, retiring in 2019 after 40 years of service with Cooke-Howlison in Dunedin.
They have owned several Holden cars, starting with FJs before an HQ Belmont, a family car owned for 23 years. In 1997, Julie was finding it difficult to drive the HQ, and a new family car with power steering was needed. Being a staunch Holden man, Mike insisted that it could only be a Holden. Numerous Commodores were tested, but it was a red 1987 VL Berlina 3.0-litre on the front row at Cooke Howlison that was chosen. The HQ retired as Mike’s work car, and the VL became the new family car.”
1960 Ford Thunderbird, 2005 Ford Thunderbird – his and hers Thunderbirds
Ford’s Thunderbird design strategy delivered precisely what the American market wanted in 1954: a classy two-door coupe with all the expected creature comforts in a luxury personal car.
“This segues nicely to the first of our feature cars in this story, a 1960 second-generation Thunderbird owned by Willy Bilton. Willy has always been into cars, with over 30 cars under his belt, mostly Ford. At the outset, Willy had never driven a left-hand drive car but had promised his wife, Sue, that they would someday go to America and scratch that particular itch.
With his 50th birthday approaching, Sue decided to deliver the scratching post directly to his door. She conscripted friends Ian and Rob Vibert to help with what appeared to be a difficult task. Choosing the Ford brand was easy, but that still left quite a stack of cars to choose from.”
Asian sorte – part 1
Indonesia is central to Southeast Asian trade and tourist routes and a melting pot of vibrant cultures. Free from the influences of past colonial rulers, it enjoys a wealthy lifestyle, with an abundance of natural resources and tourist hot spots such as Bali.
Jonathan and Janet Paape made a surprising discovery on a recent holiday to the oriental gem, which revealed a hidden treasure trove of rare classics.
“Bali is known for its surf, sun, and sea, but it holds an unexpected treasure in its frenzied sea of scooters and chaotic taxis: an astonishing business that defies expectations. Far from tourist traps and hot spots, it is quite amazing, and an eye-popping, business and industry of the classic car elk.
Hidden behind a discreet gate and tall hedges lies Tuksedo Studios, a unique automotive workshop that brings legendary cars to life.
Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the World, with nearly 250 million people, enforces strict laws banning the import of second-hand cars and prohibits the export of custom-made vehicles.”
Peter Bruin – quiet achiever part 2
Peter Bruin was a motor racing talent who impressed Bob Hulme from the first time he met Peter at the Auckland Car Club.
We continue Bob Hulme’s account of his time spent in Peter Bruin’s company, along with a final update from the car’s new owner, Ashley Walter and how he came to own the Bruin Targa Fiat.
“Peter’s younger brother, Tjebbe Bruin, remembers Peter telling him about his time in the USA when he was staying with Peter Revson and his lovely girlfriend, Majorie Wallace, a former Miss World.
Peter Revson was mostly an “early to bed, early to rise” type of person, whereas Marjorie was more of a “night owl”. She and our Peter B. would stay up and enjoy a few drinks. Tjebbe remembers a photo of the two of them, clearly a bit sozzled, with Marjorie sitting on Peter B’s lap. However, that photo cannot be found anymore.
Like most perfectionists, Peter had a serious nature and often had a “short fuse”. Chris Havill, when he owned the Targa Fiat, often visited Peter at the workshop to get work done.”
A dream trip – Europe by Porsche in 2010
Mal McKee recounts an epic trip through Europe starting with Italian sky-diving championships, a journey made in a Porsche 930, his dream car of 30 years! He also met some memorable characters along the way.
“Some friends thought I was having a mid-life crisis as I was rapidly approaching 40, but I assured them it was just the timing of myself, the money and dream-car arriving at the same place and at the same time back in June 2009.
I’d only wanted a 930 for 30 years, so I jumped at the chance when I spied her online.”
Kits and Pieces: The Zetini Haast – a car that missed its marque
Patrick Harlow investigates the story behind the Zetini-Haast. With its attractive Italian Barchetta lines, it was a promising sports car in 2015. However, the project’s cost was its downfall, a sad result for a project that promised so much.
“Like most of Wellington, I received a glossy, 12-page colour A4 brochure in my mailbox in 2015, advertising a car that looked absolutely amazing. The implication was that the Zetini car company would be taking orders any day now. I never heard about it again.
Almost ten years later, while sorting through my archives, I rediscovered the brochure. Again, I was impressed with the car’s classic lines and wondered what had happened to it.
A quick search for the Zetini.com website, listed in the brochure, confirmed that it no longer existed. On the back cover, in small print, however, was an e-mail address and mobile phone number. Intrigued, I phoned the number and Martin Foster, now living in the Wairarapa, answered.”
1967 Ford LTD (Galaxie) Sport Coupe: In a Galaxie far, far away
A raft of new technologies emanating from the Second World War introduced a fascination with space, speed and flight. The US homeland, immune from the ravages of war, became an automobile stylist’s paradise.
“Mark Kelly’s 1967 Ford LTD (Galaxie) Sport Coupe is one large, black beauty. It is a massive car in the photos, but in person, it is gargantuan with its long hood, massive doors, and lengthy trunk providing a platform for long, sleek lines, enhanced by its lowered stance and fastback shape across the C-pillar and rear windscreen.
Mark’s Ford first came into NZ about twenty years ago. Mark’s cousin bought it over the phone from the seller in Auckland, and he flew up and drove it south. Mark’s cousin owned it for around two years before moving to Perth, when Mark purchased it.
It’s a matching number, 390 cu in V8 with a three-on-the-tree auto and a front bench seat. Mark has tidied the engine bay and added Riddler 18-inch alloy wheels, helping set off the existing chrome and finishing the look of the black beauty. It has a bonnet scoop, which isn’t factory, but some coupes did have bonnet scoops back in the day.”
1982 Mazda B1600 ute: Matthew’s project – don’t tell mum!
A young lad, Matthew McFarlane from Paengaroa, has taken the unusual step of restoring an ageing Mazda B1600 ute to the condition his grandfather built it into when he purchased it back in 1985. The ute is a real survivor, with few of these Japanese utes remaining. This one is now in pristine condition.
“Dean bought the ute and used it as a work truck for a couple of years. The ute was seen regularly around Te Puke and at one point it sported a weatherboard house on the back as accommodation for Dean when he worked a long way from home.”
At one point, the 2.2-litre diesel cried ‘enough’ and quit spectacularly (Mazda often used English Perkins-designed diesel engines in its lineup). Keen to see the ute running again, Dean took drastic steps to fix it.
“Dean, being a big rotary fan and in love with the old Mazda, ended up stripping the ute to pieces.” The tip tray was sold, and ‘dually’ wheels went in favour of a factory well-side. The suspension was lowered and the diesel was replaced by a Mazda 13B J-port motor. Completing the change was a complete respray in Midnight Blue.”
Motorman: Keeping a collection diverse – part 1
Donn Anderson talks with Aucklander Neil Tolich, explores his collection of special classic cars, and discovers why uniqueness does not need to be expensive.
“Long-time car lover and classic vehicle racer Neil Tolich finds it difficult to break the habit. He has had Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins, but now he is keeping his collection simple with just a small array of widely different models, some of which will hardly break the bank.
That’s the thing about classic and collectable cars; they do not need to be costly. The most modest set of wheels can mean a lot to a particular enthusiast, especially if it is original and has an enviable record.”
Future classics: From housing state car apprentice to the 488
An exhilarating journey of Janet Paape’s travels from owning an MG to owning a Ferrari.
“From carrying live chickens in an MGB GT, falling off my red Vespa, rebuilding and selling sports cars, to delivering art in an old Porsche, it has been a great ride and it all started, growing up after World War II, at a time when parenting and societal norms were different to what they are today.”
Roadside Attractions Part 2: A personal odyssey of South Auckland’s car & motor racing culture 1963-1992.
Gerard concludes his reminiscences, looking back at the South Auckland car scene of 1963-1992 and the hotly contested saloon car racing scene with a host of colourful characters.
“My automotive misadventures have been fairly well documented in NZCC over the years. The 1970 Holden Torana GTR XU1 is worth a mention again here, as it took me into the bowels of the South Auckland old-school racing fraternity. The old Torana XU1 muscle car needed some work, which wasn’t rocket science exactly, given the hard punishment dealt out to it over 22 years when I became the latest caretaker.”
Market Report: NB Mazda MX5
What can be said that hasn’t been said already about the Mazda MX-5? The Japanese giant turned the sports car world on its head when the original was launched in 1989.
“The NB stayed in production from 1998 to 2005, whereupon close to 300,000 were built. Many of the examples which call NZ home are a mixture of New Zealand-new examples and grey imports from Japan, which you can pick by their ‘Eunos’ Roadster badging. With prices on the rise considerably for its NA predecessor, NBs, for the time being at least, can still be had for reasonable money.
“For a rough NB, you would be looking at between $4000 and $5000, with $2000 for one with no motor or gearbox,” says Steve. “A decent NB should be around $7000 to $10,000 depending on whether you have the five-speed or six-speed manual in the RS.”
Sydney Harbour Concours d’ Elegance 2025: Best of the best on show in Sydney
It must be a seven-year thing. A stunning array of automobile excellence was on display for an appreciative audience at the seventh annual Sydney Harbour Concours d’ Elegance 2025. Staged on a transformed Cockatoo Island on the weekend of 28 February to 2 March.
“There was an amazing array of rarity intermingled with modern classics and classics of the future, playing to Sydney Harbour’s pristine surroundings, architectural wonders. More than 80 rare vintage and classic cars, high-performance super and hypercars, and cutting-edge sustainable new energy vehicles – collectively valued at over A$120 million – were showcased at the seventh annual event, which welcomed more than 2000 motoring and luxury lifestyle enthusiasts.”
1965 Honda S600: Honda’s jewel-like S600
Honda’s exquisite S600 was the company’s foray into the world of car manufacturing. It did it with a sports car, showcasing its technical brilliance in a portent of things to come.
“Back around 2017, Te Atatu South, Auckland automotive electrician, Dave Kung, was looking for a car restoration project. A relative knew the whereabouts of a rare, small Honda sports car and had told Dave about it sometime before. Now looking to get a small project going, he went to investigate.
“About 2017, I went out to Avondale to see it with my brother. A guy had put a 10A (Mazda) rotary in it. I couldn’t get it to work; it had been sitting for 40 years. It was mice-infested and a bit of a barn find. Vines had grown over the garage door, covering it, so we had to rip everything away just to get in.”
Once inside, they found Dave’s project. It would be a challenge.”
Shelf Classics: Immortalising the world’s best – part 1
Scale Motorsport is to model car building as Ferrari is to Formula One.
So many automotive enthusiasts’ passion can be attributed to building models as a kid, and while some move on to full-scale works of art, there is something special about those who remain true to the pint-sized examples.
“Tony Lyne has been building model kit sets since he was a kid, and while the fundamental enjoyment remains just as the subjects do, the biggest difference is that the meek model has now become a work of art that will leave you in awe.
The scale model world is now dominated by predominantly plastic options in a narrow range of scales readily available on the local hobby store shelf. For most, this is fine, but when you want something a little more classic and in an out-of-the-box scale, it becomes a little more tricky.”
Amazing motoring collection: Passion becomes an obsession – the Allan Dippie collection
Working the land for crops was always limited to relatively small areas by the animals Man propelled his tools with. Those animals had to be fed, taking up precious arable land. Stationary steam power changed all that. Then came steam, followed by petrol and diesel-powered tractors, giving farmers previously unheralded versatility.
“Tractor collecting has been a thing for almost as long as there have been tractors. Many small towns and villages across the western world have signs alerting visitors of a nearby tractor and farm machinery collection, and more are hidden away, providing hours of fun for their owners who love to tinker away.
Allan Dippie started his tractor collection in 2016 with the purchase of a 1950s Nuffield Diesel, and things just developed from there into a collection of over 300 tractors today.”
Showstoppers – Ayrburn Classic 2025
New Zealand Classic Car magazine is honoured to be part of the Ayrburn Classic Festival of Motoring 2025. We celebrate with some true Showstoppers!
Classic car news
We have reports from Americana, the Triumph TR celebrating 50 years, and the Whanganui Toy Fair.
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