NZ Classic Car

New Zealand’s longest running classic car magazine – celebrated its 300th edition in January 2016, an amazing achievement for a publication which began as a simple idea to put local classic car owners in touch with event organisers, car clubs and trade professionals. NZ Classic Car has been a vital part of the local motoring scene for more than 25 years and features unique and extensive classic motoring coverage. NZCC’s enthusiastic and passionate writers cover the length and breadth of the country ensuring extensive classic motoring coverage. Our coverage of New Zealand’s motoring heritage remains unrivalled, especially in the field of motorsport history, plus we include stunning photography, authoritative features and event reports from throughout the country.

NZ Classic Car

GOODBYES AND CELEBRATIONS

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AND CAR ENTRIES Now open for the Ayrburn Classic 2027 • The countdown to the Ayrburn Classic 2027 is officially on. Following the extraordinary success of our 2026 event, the Ayrburn Classic returns to Arrowtown over 19–21 February 2027, and we’re thrilled to announce that both early bird tickets and vehicle entries are now available at ayrburnclassic.com

COUNTDOWN TO FEBRUARY 2027 • All roads lead to Central Otago over 19-21 February 2027, when the area will once again host the Ayrburn Classic festival of motoring

ORIENTAL EXPRESS WINNER • REBIRTH OF A BRILLIANT GRAND TOURER

DATSUN’S RACING DNA

UNMISTAKABLE SILHOUETTE THE GERMAN SHADOW LEGEND • There are images, silhouettes from the twentieth century that are well known the world over. After more than 60 years, the silhouette of the 911 Porsche remains a recognised style icon

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDY BUCHANAN FAST TRACK FROM THE BACK BLOCKS TO ’60S MOTOR RACING FAME • “You’re always first out to practise, first on the grid and first over the line,” Scuderia Veloce racing manager David McKay once said to Andy Buchanan. He became one of New Zealand’s most successful sports car racing drivers back when this was a formidable racing class

AUSSIE ICON WORKHORSE HOLDEN’S LOAD-CARRIER MAKEOVER • Launched in July 1971, the Holden HQ ute was a major redesign of GM-Holden’s commercial range, aimed at improving comfort, safety, handling, and durability over the HG series it replaced. The HQ models became Holden’s second-biggest seller ever

AND FORD SAID NO! • How did an experimental car from the Italian design house of Frua end up in New Zealand? Patrick’s curiosity was piqued when he saw this stylish coupe at a Wellington car show, so he investigated and found it’s a surprising story.

DRIVE LIKE A GIRL! • BREAKING STEREOTYPES ON THE TRACK WITH DANIELLE HURST

60 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY The pinnacle of sports car racing: Le Mans • Vaughan concludes Part 2 of his look at Le Mans, 1966, with the Kiwi input for Ford’s GT40, a race that still inspires debate to this day

TO FRANCE with flair VERS LA FRANCE AVEC PANACHE • For 26 years, the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille has attracted car enthusiasts from all over the world. The Rallye celebrates a lifestyle of elegance and a passion for collecting and driving performance and classic cars, with one important cachet: ladies only!

Paris • IN A SPORTS CAR

THE SAGA OF THE ROVER SD1 • As the Rover SD1 marks its 50th birthday, is it time to forget about that stylish body or revive it as a true classic? Donn Anderson seeks the answer after living with a 1978 model 3500 for 12 years.

POWER AND PEDIGREE • Few cars have ever owned an era the way the Ford Escort Mark 1 did in the 1970s. It was a period of not only exciting motorsport but also of technical excellence, with UK teams at the forefront of the action with these unforgettable little cars

A BIG PART OF HIS LIFE • Ford introduced...