NZ Hot Rod October 2021

Over the Horizon “If Driving WasOutlawed, Only Outlaws Would Drive.” BARELY had my fingers hit the keyboard this month before I could hear the screams of protest ringing in my ears. This editorial reaches out, not to the horizon, but well beyond and paints a picture of what our future could be like. It’s my job to bring issues and scenarios to the surface for discussion, and that’s my objective here. What follows is a regurgitated report I received from IDTechEx. This research report forms part of the broader mobility research portfolio from IDTechEx. They track the adoption of autonomy, electric vehicles, battery trends, and demand across land, sea and air, helping us navigate whatever may be ahead. That means I’m merely the messenger so bear with me. The research report is…

Ribbing HI PAUL & LIZ, A note to thank you for such a great feature on my ’34. It was an incredibly proud and humbling moment seeing my car on the cover and having such extensive coverage in the feature inside. There has been a lot of ribbing through many (!) years of the build, but with the car finally being completed, I am looking forward to being able to drive my own hot rod to events. Kind regards, Annie (Mrs Magoo) Wilson Searching for History HI GUYS. I see you have a post called “Where is this car?” I have a similar question but from the opposite angle. A long-time friend of mine has had an old hot rod body for the last 30 years. He has finally sold it to me, and…

• Phantom Pickup IN THE build by a young team at their recently opened fabrication shop, Peterson Fabrication Ltd. This “phantom” 1937 Ford pickup started life as a sedan, now features slick quick-change installation. From Craig Stare. • Howzat!! AS FAR as trophies go, there is probably nothing better than receiving Ed Iskenderian’s 100th birthday favourite car award. Imagine that. A legend in our sport picking your car at his 100th birthday bash. Well, the recipient was a Kiwi, and Squeak Bell has this trophy as his 1939 Convertible Sedan was Ed’s pick. Squeak thinks he possibly received it because there were no Model Ts there, and maybe he had a soft spot for 39 Fords. Squeak has been to every one of Ed’s birthday parties since his 80th. Ed is an extremely knowledgeable…

• Barn Buick THIS 1955 Buick Super just arrived from long term storage in Ohio via Kiwi Shipping. It’s travelled a mere 25,400 original miles. The American owner ran a mechanical repair shop and acquired the car from a customer who was the original owner. The paint and interior are original. The rust-free cream puff is now owned by Kevin Vittle and Raewyn Neilsen, who plan to make this a keeper. • Fast Four DAVE Best recently landed this 1927 Ford T roadster after Squeak located the ‘barn-find gem for him in California. It’s been an older restoration, the paint has a patina, and cool pinstripes are still visible. Underneath is a Ruckstell 2-speed diff plus an electric overdrive, so it’s been set up for high-speed highway driving. The Model T flathead four-cylinder…

IN 1981 three Christchurch-based rodders, Tony McMahon, Harry Wright and I drove across America in an old mid-‘60s Cadillac to the Street Rod Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Being 24 years old and on the trip of a lifetime, I had US $3,400 spending money, supposedly enough to last me six months. I thought I was made. I had a dream car, like everyone. Mine was a ‘41 Willys Coupe. At the Nationals, I heard of a coupe, a complete roller that was for sale. I convinced my team that we needed to go and check it out. The coupe was an ex Gasser and for sale at just $3,000. The reality of transporting it halfway across America and leaving me with virtually no money kicked in when the boys finally made…

STELLA Orpwood was born to Christchurch hot rodding parents Justin Orpwood and Tanya Pryde in August 2018. Shortly after birth, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Severe Combine Immune Deficiency (SCID), which meant she had no immune system. As a result, Stella underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant, had countless blood infusions, contracted a blood infection during treatment, and almost didn’t survive. This all took place over several months at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland. During this time, the hot rodding community rallied behind Justin and Tanya and donated money through a Give-a-Little page and goods that went to auction at Muscle Car Madness. The money raised by the incredibly supportive community enabled Justin to take time off work and stay with Tanya and Stella at…