NZV8 No 191 April 2021

Every time I climb into one of my mate’s ultramodern utes, with Bluetooth, backing cameras, and a hint of that new car smell, I think, This is nice. And I’m sure if I ironed my shirt and asked the bank manager nice enough they’d let me drive around in one. But, to be honest, all that is forgotten the moment I fumble with my ancient centrallocking remote, and climb up into my latest daily, a 25-year-young OBS 4WD Chev Tahoe. Built in ’96 and converted to right-hand drive at Bunces soon thereafter, it was put to work by two owners before falling on hard times. This one was part of a deceased estate and had been sitting for two years. Purchasing from an auction house, I took a risk on it…

Last sold in 2001 for US$5.1M, the only surviving 427 Super Snake Cobra, which was Carroll Shelby’s personal car, is set to go back under the knife at Barrett-Jackson later this month. The Super Snake previously set the record for a Cobra at auction (US$5.5M), and is considered the most collectable Cobra of all time, which is a fair call considering that it was one of only two ever built, and it’s also the only one in existence. Originally one of the 23 competition models built in ’65, it toured the UK before returning to the US, where it was converted to a road-going version in ’66 and received double the power of the original 427 Cobra (800hp) and a three-speed auto to cope with the increase. Carroll was once…

Following a revised format for the 2021 season, the NZV8s have ended a long-time relationship with BNT, welcoming on board Racer Products as naming rights sponsor — the category to be known as ‘Racer Products V8s’. “We’re passionate about motorsport, especially V8s, and we’ve been involved in V8 racing in some way, shape, or form as competitors and sponsors for over 20 years,” says Gene Rollinson, CEO of Racer Products Ltd. “We’re excited to partner with NZ Touring Cars and create Racer Products V8s. Many of our product line is out there in cars on the circuit, so we’re looking forward to supporting our customers so they can go racing and connect with new ones.” The revised format for the class allows naturally aspirated (NA) V8s with a bodyshell that is…

Considered one of the greatest New Zealand motorsport exports of all time, Chris Amon, who enjoyed a long 13-year career in Formula 1 from ’63 to ’76, is said to be the greatest driver to have never won a F1 Grand Prix. His career highlight was a 24 Hours of Le Mans win alongside Bruce McLaren in ’66. As Amon hailed from Bulls, five years after his death, the Bulls Museum committee, spearheaded by Paul Sharland and Russell Harris, is making noises to the Rangitīkei District Council about erecting a bronze statue of the hero in front of the new Te Matapihi community centre. It’s proposed to also have a plaque outlining his career highlights. It is estimated that the statue would cost $200K. The proposal will be put forward…

While we might think those on the east side of the Pacific have it good with car modification laws, those freedoms now do not extend to carrying out unchecked modifications at home. The Sacramento area has recently passed laws outlawing any sort of mechanical work, including works that render a car inoperable for more than 24 hours if not enclosed inside a garage. It also bans the use of “tools not normally found in a residence”, and specifically mentions oil changes and even tyre changes, and sets up the opportunity for a pesky neighbour to put a stop to any such activity, even carried out inside your garage, should they choose. So, forget about those weekend engine swaps or chassis-off restorations. Although this might seem crazy at first, there is a…

With Dodge now forming part of the 14-brand Stellantis group — the third-largest automaker in the world following the merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles — changes at the company have scared those with a lust for modern Mopars. Dodge’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineering division, responsible for such master strokes as the Hellcat Redeye, Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak, and 1000hp Helliphant crate engine, has been disbanded. All is not lost, however. Stellantis has publicly stated that it is committed to producing future SRT models, saying in a statement that, “These products have delighted enthusiasts for nearly two decades, and Stellantis will continue to sell and develop the next generation of Dodge/SRTbranded vehicles, as well as Jeep and Ram vehicles that utilize high-performance SRT technology.” The entire…