NZ Classic Car

New Zealand’s longest running classic car magazine – celebrated its 300th edition in January 2016, an amazing achievement for a publication which began as a simple idea to put local classic car owners in touch with event organisers, car clubs and trade professionals. NZ Classic Car has been a vital part of the local motoring scene for more than 25 years and features unique and extensive classic motoring coverage. NZCC’s enthusiastic and passionate writers cover the length and breadth of the country ensuring extensive classic motoring coverage. Our coverage of New Zealand’s motoring heritage remains unrivalled, especially in the field of motorsport history, plus we include stunning photography, authoritative features and event reports from throughout the country.

NZ Classic Car

CELEBRATING OUR MOTORING HERITAGE

HONDA’S GAME BREAKER • Having dominated the world motorcycle championships of the 1960s, Honda had a crucial decision to make in 1969. Would Soichiro Honda heed his engineer’s pivotal advice?

AYRBURN CLASSIC • A FESTIVAL OF MOTORING 21–23 MARCH 2025

CELEBRATING NZ’S FIRST PORSCHE CLASSIC PARTNER • Ensuring the legacy lives on, NZ’s first Porsche Classic, Giltrap Porsche has been certified as New Zealand’s first Classic Porsche partner.

THE CAR HE WILL NEVER SELL • Trevor Beard at Cars Inc Museum in Upper Hutt tells a unique car restoration story, including some smart detection on his part

FIFTY YEARS OF TRIUMPH

THE ZEN OF CLASSIC RESTORATION • SKC Restorations co-owner Doug Sturgin says that what started as a tech-sector CEO’s classic car indulgence has evolved into a burgeoning international classic car restoration business

SUPERCHEAP AUTO AMERICARNA 2025 A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN CAR CULTURE • Buckle up for Supercheap Auto Americarna 2025, a unique celebration of American vehicles, taking place across Taranaki from Wednesday, 19 February to Saturday, 22 February

SCHOOL‘S OUT • The ’70s were about the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the new decade ushered in by the watershed 1969 Woodstock Festival. A war-weary young generation relaxed to music, and everything was ‘cool man!’

CHANTILLY ELEGANCE • Château de Chantilly provided an amazing centuries-old backdrop for its annual September festival celebrating French arts and elegance

THE GAMES FLEET HOLDEN KINGSWOODS • The biggest challenge for any international event is funding. The 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games, led by Sir Ron Scott (1928–2016) is still the only Commonwealth Games to ever finish with a profit

This summer, be in to win with Classic Car and Husqvarna • Subscribe or renew before 24 February 2025, and you will go in the draw to win one of two Husqvarna electric lawnmowers worth RRP$999.

QUEENSLAND TRIFECTA OF CAR MUSEUMS • Vaughan takes a detour from his usual travels in the US for a brief sojourn into the Sunshine State and a visit to three car museums

NUMBER PLATES

THE BEGINNING OF THE END • The Tasman Series had a 12-year life from 1964, meaning that, sadly, the first two months of 1975 brought down the curtain on what was once the second-most-important open-wheeler road racing championship in the world – behind only the world championship

LITTLE BLUE AUSTIN • It is hard to believe that of the 280,000 Austin A35s produced in the UK, it is estimated that only about 122 are still road legal in New Zealand

MY LIFE IN VOLKSWAGENS • Jim Wilson is a died-in-the-wool Volkswagen fan, a passion that he shares with his wife, Kelly. In his own words, Jim recalls some choice experiences from a large store of them, having owned around 30 of the characterful little Germans – Ed.

DIE-CASTS MEET SCRATCH BUILTS • When Patrick Harlow, New Zealand Classic Car’s Kits and Pieces man,...