THE SNOWBALL EFFECT — 1969 HOLDEN MONARO GTS (HK)
Jason Adams’ HK Monaro was never meant to end up with a twin-turbo LS pushing over 1,500hp. But he’s sure glad it did
When Jason Adams rocked up to his family home with a dilapidated 1969 Holden Monaro GTS in tow, we can only imagine the look on his wife’s face, considering she thought she was getting a “great Mother’s Day present”. After all, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission. He was quick to explain that this would be a simple project that he could tinker away at for a few months and turn it into the perfect Sunday cruiser. But like all good builds, things soon snowballed.
SILVER BULLET — 1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
When Thomas Chrismas stumbled across a half-finished Chevelle with a Nelson Racing Engines twin-turbo LS under the bonnet, he did what any reasonable person would do — took out a loan and bought it on the spot
Have you ever come across a car that has stopped you dead in your tracks? It might’ve been something you had only ever seen in magazines, online, or overseas, but never in your own backyard. These are what we call unicorn cars — machines that are exceptionally rare and near impossible to find for the average person, much like the mythical creature the term was coined after. However, there are a lucky few who do come across said cars, and even fewer who are forwarded the opportunity to own them. Thomas Chrismas is one of those people, with a Nelson Racing Engines-equipped 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS being his unicorn.
BLACKED OUT BRUTE — 1974 HOLDEN KINGSWOOD HQ
Ben Marsh’s 1974 Holden Kingswood HQ started as an unfinished project that nobody wanted to touch — six years later, it’s one of the meanest pro-street Holdens in the country
FINAL DRIVE — 1966 FORD GALAXIE
Billy Douche wasn’t stopping until his 515ci FE-powered Galaxie was done!
Some cars make a statement through brute force alone. Others earn respect through detail and execution. And then there are those builds that carry something deeper — a story forged through passion, perseverance, and purpose. Billy Douche’s 1966 Ford Galaxie is all of that and more: a mouthwatering piece of classic Ford muscle, powered by an all-out naturally aspirated FE big-block, wrapped in custom paint, and finished not just as a car, but as a legacy.
GOLDEN GOOSE – 1951 STUDEBAKER COUPE
Trev Halstead’s custom-built 1951 Studebaker Coupe is the result of a lifetime’s worth of skill, desire, and loyalty
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Trevor Halstead, then you’ll know that he’s a bit of a perfectionist. And it’s for that exact reason that this is the sixth car of his we’ve featured in NZV8, all of which are Studebakers. Talk about being brand-loyal. This issue’s subject is arguably one of his most ambitious projects to date, as it’ll even have those of you with a keen eye for Studees scratching your head, let alone those not in the know. You see, what Trev has done here is nothing short of mastercraft, turning what was once a four-door Champion into a shortened, roof-chopped, and big-blocked coupe. The best part? Trev did all the work himself, except for the upholstery. I suggest you go and grab a bevvy, because this is one interesting read.
RAIN DIDN’T STOP THE HOP — BEACH HOP 26 PREVIEW
Rain or shine, Whangamatā still came alive with five days of V8 rumble, chrome, and rock ‘n’ roll, proving that New Zealand’s car culture is officially waterproof
When it comes to being a true petrolhead, nothing stops us from attending the events we love. Even with the sting of the current fuel crisis and the horrendous weather over March 25–29, it didn’t stop the crowds from packing their bags and jumping in their V8s, classic cars, vintage bikes, or caravans to make the pilgrimage to Whangamatā. Instead of hiding in the shed, the town was packed with people who live and breathe the grease and gears of the ’50s and ’60s, all showing up to make sure the 26th Repco Beach Hop was as loud and proud as ever.
