NZ Hot Rod November 2022

More than Ever IT’S a topsy-turvy world at the moment, and we’re experiencing significant volatility with changes coming that we may not find that palatable. On the boil in this alphabet soup of change are; the swing towards electric vehicles, the highest gas prices in history, the poorest off-highway roads in many years, inflation, war, political instability and the trend towards becoming a divided society. Those are the downside ingredients, but on the upside, we are blessed with new motorways and roads coming onstream, and more time on our hands as our demographic nears retirement age. I think the end result of the soup of factors will be a positive outcome, but there’s a catch: we are all going to take a more proactive approach in determining and designing our future…

Senior Moment I WAS having a senior moment thinking about some of the cars a few mates had in the 1960s. In about 1967, I had a drive of a rather rough sidevalve powered red ‘32 Ford roadster that was channelled with no guard. It belonged to either Roger Forsyth or Dave Foothead, both of who lived in Petone, Wellington. I do know nothing was ever done to it as to where it went. If he’s still around, Roger may be able to put some light on the subject. Roger Forsyth bought the Grahame Berry ‘34 coupe from Noel Riley. Roger took the ‘34 coupe with him when he moved up to the Hamilton area. Maybe someone knows where or if this ‘32 roadster still exists today. Regards, Allen Hare. Memories HI PAUL, Nice…

➤ Missing Kiwi Custom HARRY Orpwood found this pic from, we think, the late fifties. It is a custom under construction in Hornby, Christchurch, by a very early Rodbenders member Merv Monk. Does anyone have any info on this car, even what it was built from or more pictures? Probably long gone, but who knows? From Craig Stare. “Reminder: when you die, someone will waste all your hard-earned money. You work long hours to earn it, so spend it on yourself. Buy Hot Rod parts and enjoy life!” ➤ Early Days A PHOTO of Meremere Dragway’s first drag strip committee surfaced recently from John Willis. Right to left are Allan Porter, Ed Jensen, Garth Hogan, Dave Lowe, Ken Vincent, Kevin Cairns and John Willis. Allan was responsible for Public Relations; Ed was NZHRA Liaison; Garth…

Brought to you by For all GM restoration supplies. ➤ Galactic THIS 62-1/2 ford Galaxie arrived recently via Chucks. Imported by Rodz Doctr it features a 289 V8, C4 auto and a reasonably good interior. The sound body is in primer and thanks to Des and Isaac it’ll be returned to street duty. ➤ Streamliner ANOTHER gem just arrived from California via GT Logistics for Rodz Doctr is this superbly original ‘48 Pontiac Silver Streak Streamliner. Under the hood is the original 239ci flathead six-cylinder engine backed by a 3-speed manual trans. Apart from one repaint 40 years ago it’s virtually untouched and will be cherished by Des’s wife Pam. If you have a New Arrival you’d like to share with our readers then drop us a line at 09 432 1270 or email paul@nzhotrodmag.co.nz. We’d…

MY article on Tony and Kerry Payne’s Junkyard Junction in the September issue was originally intended as a backdrop for Tony Vittle’s Hamilton-based ‘32 Ford Victoria. I’d long admired the Payne property, and after looking through it, the chance for a stand-alone feature was just too good to miss. A break in the winter weather also meant Tony Vittle and his lady Ngaire Hamilton were able to skip down to Rotorua with their Vicky and share in the unique Payne property. It’s long been known that the Model A was Edsel Ford’s brainchild. Towards the end of Model A production, he introduced the Victoria body, a cross between a coupe and a tudor with its distinctive sloping rear body panels. They say Edsel greatly admired the reign of England’s Queen Victoria,…

NZHRA celebrated their 60th anniversary with the two-week-long Diamond Cruise starting in Bluff and concluding in Cape Reinga. Twenty-two vehicles completed the entire Cruise, while an estimated 500 joined in at various stages and stops along the way. The event was considered a complete success with tour stops to visit collections, museums, hot rod industry suppliers and fabricators, hot rod clubrooms and other places of interest. It united rodders in ways not seen before and has left fond and enduring memories you could write a book with. So ride along with us to get a taste of the Diamond Cruise. Ashburton to Christchurch Photos by Craig Stare Christchurch to Greymouth Photos by John Eva Taupo Photo by Allan Porter Whakatane-Tauranga Photos by Bruce Taylor THE Diamond Cruisers arrived from Gisborne at the Whakatane R& CC clubrooms around midday. The…