Tabla de contenidos para No 218 November - December 2023 en NZV8

Burnout Masters, the world’s elite burnout series, is storming into New Zealand’s 2023 AutoFest this October. The winner’s vehicle also earns a spot in the Burnout Masters Game, joining the most brutal burnout beasts on the planet and legions of fanatical players! Who will be the first ever AutoFest Burnout Master? Lock in the dates and witness the wildest motorsport — 14–15 October 2023, Napa Auto Parts Meremere Dragway. The Burnout Masters AutoFest launch is just a taste of things to come. Check out the Downtime Entertainment socials for what’s in store for Burnout Masters 2024 in New Zealand.…

If you were into cars and growing up in Auckland in the ‘90s, there’s a good chance you would have spent some time down at Eastern Beach. The area was a well-known cruise destination for cars of all types, be they tubbed and blown V8s, ported rotaries, turbo fours, or anything in between. Some of the big names of the drag racing scene spent their early years down there, and that’s where Roger Talbot first became obsessed. At the time he was driving imports such as the now collectable Mazda DOHC turbos, but the exposure to the V8s that he saw down on The Parade soon had him yearning for a Holden. Having grown up in a Holden family, he knew what he wanted, and ended up with a VH…

Robin Silk may have lost his battle with cancer last year, but he left a lasting impression on the entire drag racing community for both his racing success and infectious personality. His legacy lives on with daughter Tamara currently the quickest and fastest female in the country driving the family’s Top Alcohol Dragster, and son Cory also making waves in Modified Dragster. The Modified is currently up for sale and for good reason too, as the family has set about finishing Robin’s Top Doorslammer 1998 Camaro. The build was started by Robin many years ago when he was based in America, and was brought back to New Zealand in 2021. Unfortunately, Robin wasn’t able to finish the project, but he would be ecstatic to see it completed, especially as Cory…

The 2023-24 race calendar has been released for the Napa Central Muscle Cars. For the first time since the pandemic disruptions, the category will contest seven rounds for the upcoming season and will also see a return to the South Island for the first time since 2020. For South Island fans, Ruapuna and Highlands Motorsport Park are returning to the calendar for back-to-back rounds in October and November. Highlands will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, when the muscle cars were present for the grand opening. One lucky punter will also win the keys to the Hampton Downs Lamborghini Huracan. All you have to do to be in the running to win is to pre-purchase a ticket to the 10th anniversary meeting. In the North Island, the five remaining rounds will…

Last issue I talked about Building the Monster L—the recreation of the Morrari, but there was more to tell so here goes. To quickly recap, the Morrari was one of the wildest All Comers Saloon cars from the sixties driven by the late Garth Souness. “The Monster” was painted above the windshield and the car lived up to its name, it was remembered as rough as guts but it could go like a bat out of hell. The Morrari name was coined by motoring journalists of the day. The Morris Minor body clothed the 1955 Ferrari Super Squalo Grand Prix chassis, so they combined Morris plus Ferrari resulting in the Morrai. For the mid to late sixties there was nothing quite like it and it made an impression on my…

AARONCOSTELLO — 1969 CHEV CAMARO ISSUE NOS. 98 AND 99 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 We thought Aaron Costello was a mad man when he strapped an F2 Procharger to his ZZ572-powered ’69 Camaro, but little did we know how things would evolve from there. Although the car was capable of 9.60-second passes when we featured it, Aaron decided he wanted a change, and that change wouldn’t make it go any slower. Eventually he swapped out the big block for an LS2 with mirror image Garrett GT35 turbos. After a time away from racing, he brought the car back out a couple of seasons ago, and ran straight back into the 9-second zone. While the overall power output is similar, the car now delivers power in a very different way, and Aaron says…

1970 CHEVROLET C10 @NOLIMITENGINEERING Hands up, who else wants a Pro Touring-spec race truck! This C10 has been treated to a full No Limit Engineering coilover chassis, utilising the finest components from Ridetech. Custom 18-inch wheels were precision-machined to complement the Wilwood Wide 5 disc brakes and hubs, with 315 and 335 wide tires at each end to achieve exceptional lateral grip. The power stemming from a modified LS engine, paired with a Tremec 6-speed transmission, ensures an exhilarating experience on the autocross course. 1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE @CARSBYKRIS This concept by Kris is actually already under construction at Nostalgia Hot Rods — sad news is that the owner has pulled out and they need someone to take it over for SEMA 2024, all yours for $450k. With plenty of custom body touches…

Depending on your age, and more so how involved you’ve been in the New Zealand street and strip scene, there’s a very good chance you’ll have heard of ‘River Rat’. That name in the context of NZV8 magazine doesn’t refer to some type of water-loving rodent but more so to a street and strip Viva. Potentially the most well-known thing to come out of Whanganui in the 1980s, the car was the product of Tony Johnson, Grant Rivers, youthful enthusiasm, and hard work. Between 1984 and 1989 it evolved from a four-banger to naturally aspirated 307 power, to blown 307, to a 396ci big block. Running a best of 11.0 at 120mph, it was believed to be the fastest steel-bodied street-legal sedan at the time. When Lower Hutt’s Pete Richardson…

Chevrolet took the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas by storm when it unveiled a true powerhouse of a crate engine: the 1004hp 632ci ZZ632/1000 V8. At the time, Chev proudly proclaimed it as the “biggest, baddest crate engine” that it had ever produced. Fast forward to August 2023, and the automaker has released the first details and started taking orders for its 2023 Copo Camaro. Among the options for this drag racing special is none other than that beastly new crate engine. In addition, for 2023, buyers can choose between a 427ci V8 pushing out 470hp and a supercharged 350ci V8 generating 580hp. These engines have been meticulously crafted to meet the stringent requirements of NHRA Stock and Super Stock class racing, precisely the arena in which the latest…

EMAIL YOUR INFO TO: EDITOR@NZV8.CO.NZ EDITOR’S PICK 30 September – 1 October 01 Custom Street Rides 2023 National Hot Rod Show TSB Hub, Hāwera The Egmont Rod & Custom Club proudly presents the Custom Street Rides 2023 National Hot Rod Show! Set to take place on 30 September and 1 October at the TSB Hub complex in Hāwera, South Taranaki, this venue previously hosted the successful 2011 National Show. Despite the 2021 postponement due to Covid, the club is excited to bring back the event in 2023. Top cars from across New Zealand will compete for the coveted New Zealand Hot Rod Association national champion trophies. Custom Street Rides, a major sponsor known for their quality vehicle builds, will showcase examples of their work. Don’t miss this affordable, high-quality show.…

It’s not uncommon to look back at history with rose-tinted glasses. In fact, some would say that’s the best way to look back, rather than remember days gone by for the somewhat less than rosy truth. The pro street era of the 1980s is one such period likely best viewed with those rose-tinted glasses firmly on, as while there’s no doubt that the vehicles looked amazing — which is why they made such an impression on Pukekohe’s Rob Conlon — good looks are often all they had. The truth is that the vehicles were largely built with the tough race-ready look as the key component, and trivial things such as ride quality and driveability took a very distant second place. Keep in mind the level of technology available back in…

MITCHELL SVEISTRUP2006 FORD TERRITORY LOCATION: WAIRARAPAI In the realm of car enthusiasts, when the word “build” is uttered, visions of sleek street machines or weekend cruisers often dance in our heads. But what if we were to tell you there’s a different kind of beast prowling the streets, one that defies convention at every turn? Allow us to introduce you to Mitchell Sveistrup and his 2006 Ford Territory, a ride that’s anything but your run-of-the-mill streeter or weekender. This is KMTAXI, a dedicated burnout machine that’s here to make a statement, turn heads, and leave a trail of rubber in its wake. Now, when we say KMTAXI isn’t your grandmother’s SUV, we mean it. Beneath its unassuming exterior beats a heart of fire — a fearsome LS1 engine swap mated…

If you’ve ever met Aucklander Aaron Carson, you’ll know he’s got a great sense of style and he’s not one to do things by halves. While that style and effort have previously been directed at street cars, including his infamous Tumblin’ Dice T-bucket, that’s now changing as he’s deep into building a dedicated quarter-mile weapon. As a member of The Scroungers, whatever he built was going to be retro, not faux retro, but real deal old school, and he managed to find the perfect starting point — a genuine ’55 Chev gasser. Aaron found the car through the guys at Hot Rod Ranch in Lompoc, California, where he was told it was originally from Long Beach. The car was purchased without a drivetrain, and once landed here, the old roll…

After reading about the roller-coaster ride while hunting and capturing the elusive T-Rex over the past six issues of NZV8, you’re expecting to finally see the photographs of the beautifully restored car. Well, sad to say, the final chapter is quite an anti-climax. Some fairy tales just don’t quite work out the way they should, and this is one of them. Let’s just say on this one, life got in the way. My love affair with T-Rex started out with stars in my eyes. After getting the ’59 Cadillac home to New Zealand in 1993, then getting it registered and driving it for a while, I took it off the road in 1995 (give or take) to start the restoration. From a bodywork perspective, it was going to be comparatively…

It’s the Thursday before the big trip to the Imighty Waikato for the Prowear Chrome Horsepower Festival, and I am giving ‘NUTOUT’ the last few checks and double-checks before I load her into the trailer. There is nothing worse than heading away and forgetting something. I’m unable to make the trip, but I was able to twist the arm of a couple of my fellow burnout enthusiasts, Tony ‘TFW’ Whiley and Braden ‘BADVAN’ Sam, to transport NUTOUT up to Meremere, and I would fly in on Saturday morning. I’m gutted about not being able to drive up, as road trips with the boys are part of the highlight of the burnout adventure, and in true form, somewhere along the way, they manage to pick up James ‘WQEVA’ Goodin. I touch…

UPGRADE YOUR MUSTANG’S MUSCLE WITH TUFF MOUNTS Introducing the highly versatile 1965–1969 Mustang Small Block engine mounts by Tuff Mounts! These mounts offer a seamless bolt-in installation, ensuring your horsepower is securely harnessed and delivered precisely where it’s needed. You can find them now at Mount Shop, Rare Spares NZ, or on their website at www.tuffmounts.com.au. Don’t miss out! UNLEASH POWER WITH RTS’ BANDIT BILLET PLUS! Experience intense acceleration as you launch into the higher RPM range with these exceptional USA-made torque converters. Crafted to deliver more torque for quicker accelerations, these converters are engineered for performance. They feature brazed internal fins on both the turbine and pump sides, and a robust billet base plate for added durability. With power ratings ranging from 750hp to 1000hp (depending on the specific…

From inception, Pukekohe Park Raceway has been subject to a love/hate relationship within the Kiwi motorsport community. Its location and proximity to our largest city has ensured it has hosted the biggest and most important racing events on the New Zealand motor racing calendar. Yet its facilities and presentation often fell well short of international standards, and of a track befitting its status. Indeed, throughout much of its history it has been the worst-equipped permanent racing track in New Zealand. Pukekohe’s existence was the result of necessity rather than desire. By 1962, motor racing in New Zealand had become enormously successful, and every summer the nation played host to a series of races contested by current Formula 1 teams and drivers wishing to escape the harsh northern winters; every January…

Join the celebration of Aroha Cruise In’s 15th Anniversary on 7 October 2023, proudly sponsored by Asbestos Consultants. Explore a dazzling display of hot rods, classics, customs, and unique vehicles throughout the streets of Te Aroha. Discover cars from your past, dream rides, and a stunning collection of high-quality vehicles. Secure one of the remaining VIP spots for $60 ($70 for 3XL-5XL T-shirts) to enjoy the VIP Cruise Parade, an exclusive tee, a window sticker, and prime viewing. Standard vehicle registration is $15 at the gate, and the swap meet offers car-related products for $15 cash on the day. Relish live bands, the Retro Pageant, a VW train, Tea Cup rides, street performers, markets, food stalls, and the picturesque backdrop of Te Aroha. Acquire Aroha Cruise In merchandise at h26clothing.co.nz…

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY If you’re a thrill-seeker with a penchant for heart-pounding, tyre-shredding burnouts, then the Summernats Burnout Competition, in partnership with the Chrome Horsepower Festival, was an event that you couldn’t afford to miss. The excitement building up on social media had enthusiasts primed, eagerly anticipating the automotive madness that was about to unfold. This show had all the makings of a colossal hit, potentially eclipsing anything since the New Zealand Burnout Championship’s (NZBC) Burnout Masters in 2017, where legends like Andrew ‘Lynchy’ Lynch Over the years, we’ve witnessed a handful of Kiwi burnout stars grace the Summernats stage, some footing the bill themselves, others scoring golden tickets from prestigious events like Burnout Masters and the NZBC. However, what set this competition apart was truly unprecedented: there wasn’t just…

In the world of Club Corners, where hot rods and tall tales collide, we’ve journeyed across the asphalt to visit three remarkable clubs to date. Two from the southern reaches and one hailing from the heart of Wellington — Cam County. Now, we buckle up for yet another exciting pit stop on this road trip, and it’s none other than Capital Rodders. Nestled on the sunny side of Porirua Harbour along Onepoto Road, Capital Rodders shares this picturesque locale with the Wellington Powerboat Club. A shared passion for V8s and speed makes these neighbours more like family, and they’ve found perfect harmony by the water’s edge. But Capital Rodders isn’t just a club that popped up overnight; these folks have been burning rubber and spinning yarns since the swinging Sixties.…

If you read my last column, you’ll be aware Iof the incredible performance we had at the Winternationals in the Aeroflow Funny Car. It took us a few days to come down from the excitement of the race and the fantastic finish for the entire Aeroflow team. Traditionally, the Winternationals mark the end of the racing season. However, this year we had another event on the horizon, just three weeks later. The Day of the Drags at Sydney Dragway typically occurs in March, an event we faithfully attend every year. This time, though, our schedule was altered due to an event in Perth, preventing us from making our usual appearance. While it’s unusual to hear about a drag racing event being cancelled, I must confess that when the weather forecast…

Dave’s fascination with ’50s and ’60s Cadillacs has been a life-long affliction, going so far back to pre-school days that he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t hooked on Cadillacs and the USA. Like many of us, he was turned onto Americarna by books, magazines, TV shows, and movies, as he grew up during the ’60s and ’70s. This love affair with chrome, tail fins, and tonnage ramped up massively during two stints living in California. The City of Torrance in Los Angeles, where he lived for two years during the 1980s, was an absolute hot bed of fabulous ’50s and ’60s cars. “They were everywhere. Moms and Pops were still driving them around every day back in the ’80s, and buying a cool old ’60s car was as…

The Holden HQ is to Aussie and New Zealand car enthusiasts what Vegemite is to breakfast spreads: an Australasian treasure, a car that many of us remember our father or grandfather owning, usually in 202ci six-cylinder form, driving to work, running errands around town, and towing a boat or caravan at the weekends. Although considered a classic muscle car straight from the production line when purchased in V8 form (with just 275hp when the 350 Chev was factory optioned), the HQ produced between 1971–1974 is an ideal candidate for modifications that make even the most stoic mechanic raise an eyebrow. From the outside to the inside, Justin Johnstone’s 1972 Holden HQ four-door is every inch a new millennium street machine. The basics of this build are the same as they’ve…

Philip Macy’s XE Falcon is one feature car that many people recall. Since completion back in 2013 the car has been lightly raced but has competed at selected events such as Leadfoot and the Waimate Street Races. A hard to diagnose engine issue early on caused major frustration for several years, and ultimately required a new block. Then the car remained parked while Philip focused on developing his XC Falcon Coupe. Last race season the car completed several test days and car club events, and this summer willmost likely be seen in Touring Car Masters, while the coupe is focused on Historic Races. Although the XE remains pretty much unchanged externally from when built, it has had significant upgrades around the driver position, cooling and fuel systems, with a dry…

If Josh Waldie’s 1960 Galaxie were a person, it would be the type that you’d be reluctant to take home to meet your parents. Sure, you know it’s going to give you a good time, but it’s the automotive equivalent of a grungy, tattooed up, high school drop out with a bunch of facial piercings. Just like its human equivalent, it’s a little bit loud, a little bit anti-social, and has a bit of a drinking problem, but Josh wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s not so much the perfect car to take the family out for a quiet weekend jaunt, but more a car that you can load up with the lads and still fry the tyres on command. And of course what it may lack in perfect…

POWER AND PRECISION Under the hood of this beastly ’57 Chev lies a heart of pure muscle — a 585ci big block Chev engine that means business. Featuring a Dart Big M block and Air Flow Research (AFR) heads, this power plant is built to deliver jaw-dropping performance. But the real star of the show is the massive 10-71 supercharger force-feeding this engine with an insatiable appetite for air. Twin 950cfm Quick Fuel blower carbs ensure that this beast breathes easy, making every drive an adrenaline-pumping experience. SHIFTING GEARS All that power needs a transmission to match, and the ’57 Chev doesn’t disappoint. Equipped with a Hughes TH400 transmission and a high stall converter, this pickup shifts with authority. A 3.5-inch two-piece driveshaft efficiently transfers power to the rear wheels,…