Porsche New Zealand Celebrates Certification of New Porsche Classic Technicians

2 August, 2024

Three talented technicians have successfully completed the prestigious Porsche Classic Technician training program and are now officially Certified Porsche Classic Technicians

New Zealand technicians, Ricky Urry, Savannah Mountney-Needham, and Kai Newstead receive their Porsche Classic Certification

Porsche New Zealand proudly announces that three of their talented technicians have successfully completed the prestigious Porsche Classic Technician training program and are now officially Certified Porsche Classic Technicians.
Ricky Urry and Kai Newstead of Giltrap Porsche, along with Savannah Mountney-Needham from Continental Cars Porsche, have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the rigorous training process. This accomplishment is a testament to their unwavering commitment to preserving and servicing classic Porsche vehicles to the highest standards.
“We are incredibly proud of Ricky, Kai, and Savannah for their hard work and dedication,” said Ehrin Wardlow, Service & Network Development Manager, Porsche New Zealand. “This achievement highlights our ongoing dedication to maintaining the highest standards in Porsche service and repair. Our certified technicians are now well-equipped to handle the complexities of classic Porsche models, fulfilling their dreams of mastering these iconic vehicles.”
The new certifications reinforce both Giltrap Porsche and Continental Cars Porsche’s commitment to delivering superior service for classic Porsche enthusiasts and collectors.

Savannah Mountney-Needham - Continental Cars Porsche technician
Kai Newstead - Giltrap Porsche technician

About the Porsche Classic Technician Program
The Porsche Classic Technician training program spans seven intensive courses over three years, conducted at the After Sales Qualification Centre in Stuttgart, Zuffenhausen. The comprehensive program covers both theoretical and practical aspects of classic Porsche maintenance and restoration, including air-cooled engines, transmissions, diagnostics, fuel and ignition systems, and chassis systems / alignments. After completing the training, technicians must pass a challenging theoretical exam and demonstrate their abilities through practical exams on each topic.

Ricky Urry - Giltrap Porsche technician
Kai Newstead - Giltrap Porsche technician

Motorman – The saga of the Temple Buell Maseratis

Swiss-born Hans Tanner and American Temple Buell were apparently among the many overseas visitors who arrived in New Zealand for the Ardmore Grand Prix and Lady Wigram trophy in January 1959. Unlike Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Ron Flockhart, Harry Schell and Carroll Shelby who lined up for the sixth New Zealand Grand Prix that year, Tanner and Buell were not racing drivers but they were key players in international motor sport.
Neither the rotund and cheery Buell nor the multi-faceted Tanner were keen on being photographed and the word ‘apparently’ is used in the absence of hard evidence that Buell actually arrived in this country 64 years ago.

Luxury by design

How do you define luxury? To some it is being blinded with all manner of technological wizardry, from massaging heated seats to being able to activate everything with your voice, be it the driver’s side window or the next track on Spotify. To others, the most exorbitant price tag will dictate how luxurious a car is.
For me, true automotive luxury comes from being transported in unparalleled comfort, refinement, and smoothness of power under complete control. Forget millions of technological toys; if one can be transported here and there without the sensation of moving at all, that is luxury — something that is perfectly encapsulated by the original Lexus LS400. It was the first truly global luxury car from Toyota, and one that made the big luxury brands take notice.