NZ Hot Rod December 2022

THIS time of the year, I check my rearview mirror to review the year that's been, put my thinking cap on, stare into my crystal ball, and attempt to forecast the year ahead. Last Xmas, I predicted 2022 would see longer global supply chains, higher shipping costs, higher interest rates and looming inflation, and perhaps a price rise for our magazine due to increases in paper and postage. Most of that has come to pass, plus more. Our printing costs went up twice and hit the 25% increase mark. We've absorbed as much as we can but face another increase in 2023. Inflation is averaging 8% here in NZ, and it's a spiral that seems out of control under our current government. In a numeric review of this year just past,…

Potholing THIS happened when diving on state highway one on the way to Riverton to a car show. I wondered what the bang was after hitting a pothole. I have done over 50,000 miles in the coupe over the years, but this is the first time this has happened. I have to say that the main road is pretty hard going, even with both Jag front and rear ends. Cheers, Adrian Gilbert, Pleasant Point. Fordors HI PAUL, I found another photo; this one is an English production Fordor which met its fate as a stock car. l know have more pictures, but it's a matter of finding them. Owen Welbeloved, Christchurch. NZHRM. Response to Editorial in Issue November 2022 HI PAUL, Thanks for the commentary in the November issue of NZHRM about what SIVANZ is doing to…

The Munro legacy continues THIS Indian motorcycle was created to help celebrate the connection with Burt Munro and the Indian motorcycle. It was funded by Indian motorcycles and provided to Lee Munro to continue the story with the addition of a new chapter. The bike was finished in 2017 and first ran at El Mirage, with Lee managing 186.681 mph. A privately sponsored trip in 2018 saw the team go to Bonneville, where Lee upped the speed to 192.78 mph. It is interesting to note that Lee's great uncle, the legend himself, Burt Munro managed a best speed of 202 mph on the old original bike. This was never recognised due to the fact he could never do a backup run to get the record, The new bike's V-twin engine started off displacing…

Brought to you by For all GM restoration supplies. Cool Classic THIS ‘67 Chevrolet Corvette just arrived in NZ via West Coast Classics. A super cool final-year C2, a car that is super hard to find. Only 14 registered in NZ. This is a very original car. Under the hood is matching numbers 327 V8 with manual transmission. The paint appears to be partially original; the interior appears to be original and in great condition. Carb and radio have been changed, but the originals are boxed and with the car. It runs good and drives tight. New brake callipers, hoses, pads, parking brake shoes & cables. New KYB shocks & tyres all around. $149,000 drive away. Contact Bryce Williams at Westcoast Classic Imports, Ph 07 552 5501, Mob 021 527 644, email bryce@westcoastclassics.nz, Website…

IN the 1960s, the Morris Mini car was a popular car with the “Mod's”, who created a vibrant, underground youth scene wearing neat clothing. Many females would own a mini skirt and a Mini car to match. Young men took a liking to riding scooters. They dined out on the music explosion of those times; the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks would go on to have a big hit with “A Dedicated Follower of Fashion”. Being a small two-door compact car, the market also craved a slightly bigger version as the Mini's back seat was only big enough for a few grocery items and very little intimacy in those “make love not war” times. Up stepped Sir Alec Issigonis, along with the Italian masters Pininfarina and the British Motor…

AFTER being cancelled last year due to COVID, it was decided to go low-key for this one due to monetary losses. Unfortunately, bad luck seemed to be in abundance. Several medical emergencies happened. The worst was a 91-year-old man who suffered a heart attack while reversing his car into a park. This resulted in him revering violently backwards for 100 yards and hitting three cars. Two were very fixable, but the brunt of the accident was a direct hit to a very nice 1957 Chevrolet 2-door sports coupe. As no info cards were given out this year, it was impossible to get the owners’ names. Attendance was down to I think somewhere between 300 and 350 cars. But as always, there are always a lot of different previously unseen cars…