Table of contents for No 224 November - December 2024 in NZV8

It’s interesting how much can change in a month, or maybe I’m just extremely sporadic! So, what’s happened in the last two months? Well, two major things: I’ve decided to sell my car, ‘W4RDOG’, and my wife bought an XY Falcon! The reason for selling my Commodore? The deeper you go into the V8 scene (and this job certainly doesn’t help), the more you learn, the more contacts you make, and the bigger, badder, and faster your ideas get. What I’ll build next, I have no idea, but I do know it’ll be pro street. As for my wife buying an XY Falcon, that’s pretty rad! It’s going to be a cool build, though I have no idea in what direction she’ll take it. I’ll be there to help her…

Time and time again, we receive spec sheets and stories back from feature car owners, and the same phrase pops up: “The plan was to just give it a bit of a tidy up for the summer and enjoy it.” Usually that means the build went in the exact opposite direction to what the owner had originally planned. We could fill an entire magazine with cars that have taken this all too familiar route (oh, that’s right, we already do). This blinding white VK is no exception, so can be added to the very, very long list of build plans that have gone spectacularly wrong. Around seven years ago, Adam Wilson found himself looking for something to chuck in the shed. He says, “I bought it to build a cheap,…

Given that Alan Messenger’s car ownership list is basically a list of Australia’s all-time greatest automotive creations, it should be no surprise that he’s ended up with arguably the toughest XY sedan in the land. He was in the right place at the right time when the previous owner moved offshore, and since the car already looked the part and was packing a big block under the hood, he knew that it was the perfect starting point to make it his own. That process started slowly with a few tweaks to get the car looking how he wanted it to, which, given that he loved the paintwork and overall finish, was focused mainly on upgrading the wheels and suspension. The 15x6- and 15x10-inch Globes that he opted to fit are…

Andrew Berry’s wicked-looking Chev Nova may have landed from Australia as a nitrous radial car, but Bronson Dunne has been keeping busy putting it back on big tyres. Having previously raced an F-150 Lightning, it would be fair to say that Andrew caught the bug, and now Bronson is deep into getting the car ready for the upcoming season. As well as some cage and bar work changes to suit Andrew’s height, Bronson has helped to fit the 565-cube Shafiroff big block. Following a recent freshen up by Marsh Motorsport, the big motor made a reliable 990hp on the dyno running on C12 fuel. The set-up will be backed by a Mike’s Transmission Powerglide and a Neal Chance bolt-together converter. Running in SS/A, the prediction is that the car should…

Imagine, when I get there, that you meet my acquaintance for the first time, and he comes across as the biggest dickhead you’ve ever met. He’s self-absorbed — obsessed even — he’s loud, he’s arrogant, he’s ignorant, and he’s clearly making shit up as he goes. “It’s OK,” I whisper to you as you shoot me a look that says, ‘What’s this idiot on?’ I say to you, “People say he’s really a great guy.” My overseas acquaintance then starts denigrating black people, belittling women, and telling you how amazing he is, how rich he is, and how he can get away with anything because he’s rich. He talks about how smart he is, how he’s the best at everything, how stupid everyone else is, and then starts fearmongering by…

As teenagers, we all have those cars we dream of one day having in the shed. For one couple, those dreams became a reality, with not one but six iconic American muscle cars. Walking into their oversized shed feels like stepping into a stable, with beastly machines lined along the walls, surrounded by Americana memorabilia. This husband-and-wife team has curated an impressive collection that includes a 1968 Plymouth Road Runner, a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, a 1981 Turbo Trans Am, a 1971 Dodge Challenger, a 1968 Chevrolet Impala Fastback coupe, and a 1988 Holden VL Wagon. Each vehicle reflects their love for cars and their deep connection to American automotive history and culture, preserving slices of special times in their lives. The first time M walked into his then-girlfriend’s…

WHERE IS IT NOW? HAMISH HIESTAND — FORD BONUS Hamish Hiestand tells us that he could fill a whole magazine with the cars that he’s owned and built in the decade since we featured his quad cam–powered Ford Bonus. The changes all came around not too long after our article, when he was offered decent money for it but turned it down. A few years later, an offer came in that was too good to refuse, and the truck found a new owner. From there, he dubbed himself ‘Dalziell Road Customs’ and has bought and sold various Mustangs and Camaros, as well as taking care of plenty of sideline builds and a bunch of complete builds. The one he’s currently held on to is a self-built Phase 5 Dick Johnson…

In an exciting shift for motorsport enthusiasts, the Toyota Supra is set to make waves in the Australian racing scene by adopting a powerful V8 engine. This new development is part of a push to enhance performance and competitiveness in various racing categories. The Australian Racing Group (ARG) has confirmed that the Supra will be equipped with a naturally aspirated V8, marking a significant departure from the car’s traditional in-line-six set-up. This change not only aims to boost horsepower but also to attract a wider audience by providing a thrilling driving experience. The move is part of a broader trend in motorsports, where manufacturers are increasingly opting for larger engines to meet the demands of racing regulations and fan expectations. The V8 Supra is expected to debut in the 2024…

It’s hard to find a more iconic American car than a Tri-Five Chev. Not just here in New Zealand but around the globe, the 1955–’57 Chevs have stood the test of time and excelled across almost all automotive disciplines: drag racing, circuit racing, shows — you name it, there’s nothing that the Tri-Five Chevs haven’t done. Of course, this means that building one to stand out from the rest is no small task. South Auckland’s Russ McIntyre knew that, though, when he embarked on building the ultimate 1955 Sport Coupe back in 2016. Russ had owned and built a number of Tri-Fives over the years, and, from the outset, he was determined for this one to be the culmination of his years of knowledge, experience, and ideas. With his previous…

As those on social media will be well aware, the combined IHRA/NZDRA national series won’t take place for the 2024/2025 season. While sadly this announcement has seen passionate racers and supporters become overly vocal in support of their side, regardless of which side you support, there is a legitimate reason behind the split. It all comes down to technical requirements for chassis construction. We are happy to stay out of the politics and focus on the positive, which is that both sides will continue to run their own full seasons of racing. The NZDRA side sees the introduction of a bunch of new and rejigged categories aimed at getting more bums on seats, both in cars and on the grandstands. Classes will include Pro Mod, Top Sportsman, Comp Eliminator, Super…

THOSE WHO GAMBLED ON THE WEATHER AND MADE THE TREK WERE REWARDED Postponing Father’s Day Drags is nothing unusual for the American Muscle Car Club or the loyal fans who gather each spring. But, after a dry winter, it was somewhat disappointing that our Australian cousins across the Tasman sent bad weather around the scheduled day of the event. In 2024, Father’s Day landed between two major cold fronts, and though the track was dry on the scheduled day, the pits had turned into a swamp, and the car park resembled a multi-level lake. Two weeks later, the rain date enjoyed mostly fine weather leading up to it, allowing things to dry out somewhat. As that date approached, however, there was still uncertainty due to the rain forecast. But by…

Early October saw the welcome return of the ever-evolving The Side Show — a car show produced by local club Trouble Bound made up of 16 characters with a bunch of very different cars. It’s a low-key annual (in vibe, not chaos) affair that started in 2018 with a focus on hangin’ out, shooting the shit, and maybe an ice-cold libation or 30. Does life get any better? Held in a bigger venue with more parking this year (having outgrown last year’s site), the word that would best sum up the whole day is ‘real’ — it’s a no-bullshit, no-sponsorship, love-of-cars kind of deal, not a money-making venture. You’ll find everything there, from tough muscle cars to Model A four-bangers and killer hot rods — no rules and lots of…

GRAFTED ’81 CAMARO A few issues ago, we mentioned the ’81 Camaro build in progress at Real Rides. Well, it’s making headway, and the final version is coming to life. As Kayton says, “Every panel is modified.” All the flares and the spoiler are hand-fabricated from steel or aluminium. The drip rails have been deleted, as have the door handles, and there are custom front-guard air intakes, just to name a few changes. The rear trim, diffuser, and filler panels have been grafted in a carbon/aluminium mix, which keeps things interesting. Adding a modern touch, 2016 Camaro tail-lights have been seamlessly integrated into the rear, along with flush-fit front and rear screens for a sleeker finish. Up at the business end, it still retains parts of the factory fibreglass nose…

In a surprising move, Hoonigan, a key player in automotive culture, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company, known for its engaging content and aftermarket parts, faces a staggering US$1.2 billion in debt, raising concerns despite its large following of over five million YouTube subscribers. Hoonigan’s challenges stem from a downturn in automotive media and the departure of prominent content creators, affecting its competitive edge. Similar issues have affected other brands like Donut Media and Car Throttle, highlighting a broader trend in the industry. To stabilise its operations, Hoonigan plans to restructure its debt under court supervision, securing US$110M in loans and a US$175M asset-based lending facility. This restructuring only affects its North American operations, with international branches remaining unaffected. CEO Vance Johnston expressed optimism, stating that this strategy…

With close to 55 entries this year, Rust ’n’ Dust proved to be a fun-filled day of thrills, spills, and laughter. Hosted by Ben and Jaime Winter on their Sefton property in North Canterbury, the event has always focused on being a laid-back day of fun, set around minimal rules, ensuring a great time is had by all. The first of the entries started arriving around 9am, getting their choice of parking spots. Entry has usually been free, with all the costs of the day covered by running a raffle, but all the work and effort involved saw some minor changes made to this year’s event, the raffle making way for a $30 entry charge — a small price to pay for such an awesome day of entertainment. The day…

RICK ANKERS AND DARRIN ‘MACCA’ VK COMMODORE, VZ UTE, HSV VT SENATOR, VZ SS UTE LOCATION: HUAPAI Rick Ankers and his good mate Darrin, better known as Macca, have been close friends for years, brought together by their shared love of cars. Over countless garage sessions and a fair few beers, they’ve worked on projects side by side, turning their passion into something of a tradition. Originally, both Rick and Macca lived in Beach Haven. When they each sold up and moved, they found themselves as neighbours once again in Huapai. Now, they’re still wrenching on cars together and hitting up the local car runs and gatherings. It’s not just Rick and Macca who are involved — their wives get in on the action too, often driving one of the…

Dan Kristiansen says that he was always a big fan of the ‘Pandemonium’ ’65 Dodge Coronet 500 A/FX gasser. The car was owned by Darren Selwyn and came to New Zealand when Darren made the move here from the UK. Darren campaigned the altered-wheelbase car here for a while with a 493ci wedge motor, before disappearing for a time and returning with a 528-cube Ray Barton Hemi combo. It was this combo that attracted Dan to the car, which he’s now proud to call his own. Having been an avid spectator for years and a follower of the gasser and nostalgia racing scene for a long time, all it took was one ride down the track in the passenger seat of a mate’s car and he was hooked. Being based…

People always talk about Australia’s great weather — what really makes it stand out is the short drag racing off-season. After a bit of rebuilding, we were back on track and testing in early September. Yeah, you read that right — a two-month off-season, and it’s already warm enough to put down some rubber. Like everything we do in the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars world, we’re constantly pushing to be more reliable, quicker, and faster. After our record runs at the Winternationals, we were keen to keep the momentum going. But, as anyone in drag racing will tell you, there’s only so much you can tweak before you hit a wall. Sometimes, you have to take two steps back to take four steps forward. With that in mind, we…

With the burnout pad running at both Hampton Downs for the casual skidder and Meremere Dragway for the more competitive skidder, the Chrome Horsepower Festival did not disappoint! It was an action-packed weekend of tyre-shredding madness. The Saturday night competition under lights, with flames, fireworks, and a DJ, is truly unique here in New Zealand. The massive crowd, your entrance song pumping over the sound system, and the heat from the flame cannons as you head down the entrance chute is an adrenaline-pumping experience that every skidder in New Zealand needs to be part of. There was a lot on the line for those serious about burnouts here in New Zealand, with two money-can’t-buy qualifier tickets to the Summernats Pro Burnout Series up for grabs. With the mechanical disappointment of…

Until the very early 1900s, motor vehicles were made mainly in situ, with a team of people assembling the vehicle as it sat, much like you would assemble a Lego model car today – this process works well when you are making a Ferrari or a Ford GT or a Land Rover Defender out of a couple of thousand tiny plastic pieces, when time efficiency and cost of production are null and void, and the joy of assembly and project completion is the order of the day. Then along came Henry Ford with his latest model of car in 1908. The car sold well, but it wasn’t until Ford introduced the moving assembly line in 1913 that the car came to the workers, who then assembled the vehicle as it…

Here are some quick hits of content from social media channels around the globe, curated by Low Fast Famous. They relate to some of the projects and completed builds that have been generating the most interaction and impressions in the past 30 days. Check out more of the work from the vehicles highlighted via their Instagram handles listed or at Low Fast Famous: @lowfastfamous 1968 DODGE CHARGER @CLASSIC_CAR_STUDIO You know you’ve built a cool car when you scoop up the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year award! This Charger has undergone multiple body modifications, including moving the front wheel openings forward by 75mm, setting the attention to detail right from the start. The original 440ci motor has been freshened up and modernised with stack injection, paired with a 4L80-E transmission.…