This month’s cover car doesn’t look like your average NZV8 cover car …
Nothing hanging out of the bonnet, nothing too crazy wherever you look … but that’s exactly the appeal. The owner wanted a ’56 Bel Air that would fly under the radar, and despite the injected 502ci big block, six-speed manual, and full Art Morrison chassis, the 13-year build is certainly mission accomplished.
Dave Moyle’s ’89 Ford Falcon XF ute is a little less subtle. But even with the upside-down wheelbarrow on the bonnet and murderous exhaust note, you’ll be surprised to learn that it’s a legit eight-second street car. Dave tows a trailer full of race gear to the track, runs eights — with lots of cubes and a bit of nitrous — then drives home again. How cool is that?!
For sheer, in-your-face, brute power, look no further than Dave Gauld’s ‘Nitemare’ Fuel Altered. From an eight-year-old who nearly burned down his parents’ house by trying a fire burnout with toy cars, through to piloting the real deal decades later, find out all about this man and his obsession with nitro.
Sachin Balu’s out here proving that you don’t need a stupid budget or a full catalogue of brand-name gear to build a nice car — just a bit of patience and some good mates. The 308-powered VK Commodore has been a 10-year labour of love, and is everything Sachin wanted it to be.
In stark contrast to Sachin’s clean VK is Mark Holdaway’s radical ’32 Ford roadster. The all-steel hot rod is powered by a rare Ardun-headed Flathead, and packs a crazy catalogue of genuine vintage speed equipment beneath its stunning patina-style paint. This is one cool hot rod, and one you’ll definitely need to see in person if you get the chance — photos really don’t do it justice!
Of course, it’s not all feature cars. One of the coolest interviews we’ve had the honour of being able to conduct involves the man himself — Mike Gearing. Mike is a legend of Kiwi drag racing and hot rodding, and his name is still synonymous with nitro and Hemis. Find out about some of his incredible history in part one of our interview, with part two coming in the following issue.
We also have event coverage from the Capital Rodders Horsepower Display & Swap Meet, the GM Classic Car and Hot Rod Day Out 2017, and the Marineland Hot Rod & Classic Car Festival — a perfect wrap up of the event season as the local climate descends into grey and wet stay-in-the-shed kind of days.
That’s not all, though, with the very cool shed of Ajay’s Ford V8 Parts’ Brian and Liz Smith being this issue’s feature shed, alongside an automatic transmission rebuild, all the columns you know and love, and a whole lot more.
Go and check it out!
