NZ Hot Rod April 2022

It’s our Birthday What they possibly didn’t recognise at the time, was the magazine would become the missing link or voice for hot rod enthusiasts throughout the county. THIS month marks our 55th anniversary of the magazine’s inception back in April 1967. The fab four of Rob Campbell, Gene Campbell, Bob Rossiter, and Harvey Ferguson started something none of them envisioned would be still going strong 55 years later. What they possibly didn’t recognise at that time, was the magazine would become the missing link or voice for hot rod enthusiasts throughout the country. The magazine continued for 37 years under the stewardship of Rob and Owen Campbell, and for the past 18 years since 2004 headed by yours truly, and backed by my wife Liz. The magazine has survived oil shocks,…

Many Thanks HI PAUL, I would like to thank the organisers of roast and toast on the 4th of December 2021. Also thanks to over 200 people who turned up at Mc Larens falls park. We had visitors from Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Matamata, Taupo, Palmerston North, Whakatane etc. Great stuff! And a thanks to Bay Rodders for feeding everybody with their mobile BBQ. Special thanks to the Bay Rodders members who erected the Marquee on the Friday and supplied 50 chairs, and Ngaire Gibson for the cake. There were some amusing speeches on Saturday night. And those clubs that donated special awards, Big thanks to all, Regards, Furnie. COOL CABALLERO HI PAUL, thanks so much for letting us and the car (Buick) being a part of your fantastic magazine. Looks fantastic with awesome photos…

• STOP PRESS EX-PAT Kiwi drag racer Morice McMillin has just become the third man to be inducted into the NZHRM 300 MPH club following his 4.982-313.95 mph pass while testing his Aeroflow TF/FC at Sydney Dragway on March 4th. Grant Downing heads the fastest Kiwi with a 315.78 pass followed by Anthony Marsh close behind with a 315.12 pass. From Mike Ashton. • It’s our 55th Anniversary IT WAS 55 years ago, in April 1967, that the first issue of NZHRM went on sale. The magazine’s brand is NZ’s longest-running automotive magazine thanks to deep and loyal readers, strong support from advertisers within the hot rod industry and a steady stream of high-quality content supplied by our dedicated correspondent writers and photographers. To date, and including this month’s magazine, we’ve published 648 issues.…

• Not a Deuce HAS Magoo gone to the dark side? This mint 1930 coupe has recently landed from California and is NOT destined for a chop or a Deuce grille shell! The plan is for it to be his Art Deco ride. The car arrived with full history, including a copy of the 1932 registration. Oh, so it is a ’32? • Do it in the Dirt RENOWNED hot rod upholsterer Ian Goodwin landed this Speedway bike via Chuck’s. The smell of Methanol and Castor oil is permanently etched in the minds of those of us who frequented solo bike racing meetings around NZ. These 500cc racing bikes are becoming quite collectible and worth a cackle on any occasion to relive the sounds and delicious odours. • Adult Ownership DAVE Tuke recently landed this…

SCOTT Coutts’ traditional deuce 3-window coupe was originally built back in 1989 by long time diehard hot rodder Ian Golder. (RIP) The chopped 3-window body was the very first out of Pete Osborne’s mould and sits on an original deuce chassis. Motorvation in that first guise came from an expensive Isky-cammed, S.C.O.T blown, 296ci flathead dressed in a pair of B/C head covers. The old timey look was completed with a set of Ford Customline wheels and whitewall tyres. Around 2001 the coupe was sold by Ian and bought by Christchurch hot rodder and nostalgia lover Tony Meester. Tony planned to change a few things to make it even more old timey which is to be expected as everyone has their own individual ideas and tastes. NZHRM’s John Eva photographed…

YOU can never have too much of a good thing when it comes to having fun with old Model A Fords. Just ask Chris Hornblow and Shane Adlington, who have organised Model A Day since 2019. While most large public events are restricted by Covid regulations, Model A Day is a private word of mouth event enjoyed by the diverse mix of people and cars you could ever imagine. Yes, indeed, the laid-back approach to this event appeals to both vintage guys and hot rodders who equally admire the cars from barn finds to restored stockers to hot rods to race cars. After last year’s event, Chris and Shane thought it would be great to crack the 50-car mark, and this year 56 Model A or Model A powered vehicles…