NZV8 No 198 November 2021

Here we are again, a month on from the last issue when I was in lockdown pushing the print button, and despite the whole short and sharp blah, blah, blah, here we are again doing the same damn thing as if we’re living out Bill Murray’s ’90s classic Groundhog Day. By the time you read this I, along with the rest of Auckland, should be in at least level 3, although who the hell knows? And while some will be rushing off to get their fill of fast food, I’ll be going straight to stock up the workshop supplies. I know that everyone’s situation is different — many can’t earn a crust during these times, so that’s super stressful. And for others it’s a full work day from the couch.…

EV ACE The AC Cobra’s predecessor the AC Ace, the car that directly led to what can only be described as one of the most iconic cars of all time, will once again be offered for sale 50 years after its production run ended. Although the Ace RS electric will retain its ’50s styling, it will be a very modern drivetrain, with Falcon Electric providing the EV power plant that will propel the lightweight sports car to 0-62 mph in approx. 5.5 seconds, thanks to the 230kW/500Nm peak power. The range is over 300km. This comes after the Cobra Series 1 electric was offered for sale in June, but both cars can hold nothing to the Cobra Series 4 electric, with one model boasting a 460kW/1000Nm power train. But don’t worry,…

EMAIL YOUR INFO TO: EDITOR@V8.CO.NZ Riviera Touring Car Club Inc Car Show 16 October Riverton Rugby Club Grounds Vehicle entry $10, public $5, under 12s free Now in its 13th year running, the Riviera Touring Car Club Inc Car Show typically boasts a turnout in excess of 500 cars on the day. There is no need to pre-register, just rock up on the day, with the event kicking off at 11. Aside from the hot rods, street machines, and classic cars and bikes on show, there is a wood chopping display and craft stalls. Funds raised during the event will go to helping out the wider Riverton community, so get along and show some support. NZ Vintage Gassers, Hot Rod & Muscle Car Challenge 13 November The Rock Dragway, Motueka ndra.co.nz Adults $20, 12-16 $10, under 12s free, family…

STAY COOL Our beloved classics often have cooling systems that would have worked perfectly when ‘heavy traffic’ meant more than one car in front of you at the lights, but times have changed. Add the extra demands of performance modifications and competition driving into the mix and you will want to see the team at Adrad. They specialise in designing radiators for classic and performance cars, and stock aftermarket radiators, cores, and components proven in New Zealand and Australian conditions. All of Adrad’s radiators come with nationwide warranties, so you won’t be left hot under the collar. Visit 0800radiators.co.nz, or phone 0800 RADIATORS (723 428) for more info. UNLEASH YOUR LSA Unlock the true performance of your late-model, supercharged, LSA-powered HSV up to 600kW with one of Xair’s four stages of upgrades. All four…

Remember when Aussie cars weren’t worth the paint over their rust? Remember when American car owners looked down their noses at them? How times change! Lindsay Smith’s LX Torana hatch is something most petrolheads would kill to own — and that’s before you get to the guts of what really makes it tick. It’s been a project 34 years in the making, purchased in about 1987 when Lindsay had two young kids and no money to build it the way he really wanted to. “It had a 308 and three-stage auto, and was always a good and reliable car,” he remembers, “but it didn’t handle skids and racing down Carlyle Street, so unfortunately that [308] ended up with a hole in the side of the block.” On top of the opened-up engine, the…

Since its inception in 2014, the NZ’s Quickest Streeters list has been the source of inspiration, controversy, and entertainment. The list was dreamed up to help showcase the performance and success of street legal drag racing, but of course stirring on a little healthy competition was also part of the plan. What we didn’t quite expect was the level of competition that it would create, and just how far the scene would come in a relatively short period. The rules to get on the list were (and remain) fairly simple, with the theory being that it’s easy, self policing, and of course fair for all drivers. With that in mind, the rules are that the vehicle must be registered, warranted, and with an LVV cert plate that matches the car’s current…