New Zealand Classic Car 402, November/December 2025

Circuit racer to show stopper        
A one-time racing saloon gets a new lease on life
Hugely popular back in the day, and European champions, Ford’s Capri is still a popular and competitive racing saloon, so to find one turned back into a pristine road car is rare indeed.
Loburn’s rolling hills and river plains in North Canterbury are renowned for their fruit-growing areas, and also have some great driving roads, perfect for enjoying the long-legged cruising Ford Capri featured here.
Since the Christchurch earthquakes, the area has become a sought-after lifestyle region. Toby and Donna Dimmock moved to the area a short time ago, and they enjoy the laid-back, sunny lifestyle of the region in their new home, which features a generously sized garage and sheds, perfect for a couple of gleaming classics. They are best known for their 1972 Holden HQ Monaro LS, a show-winning car that serves as their big, comfortable country cruiser when driving to car shows. However, their 1974 Ford Capri Mark 1, GXL 3 Litre, is something special with an unexpected background, quite at odds with its amazing current condition.

Our FREE pull-out poster in this issue is of a trio of Lamborghini Diablos.

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To see a fully illustrated content rundown of what’s in this issue, head here to our website.

In Tune With Miranda – 1990-2001 Lamborghini Diablo Trio
There are certain moments in life when it dawns on you – often quite suddenly – that you are, in fact, living the dream!
In disbelief, I found myself in the company of not one, not two, but three exceedingly rare Lamborghinis, all of them stunning examples of the iconic Diablo.
The Unexplained – 1962 Jaguar Mark II, 3.4-litre, Part 1
Auckland music producer Larry Killip immersed himself in the swinging ‘60s of Beatlemania, part of an era of pop icons, from fashion design to music. The decade closed with the first man landing on the moon, influencing a flurry of futuristic automotive design in the US. The British typically went for a more fluid and traditional bodyline, setting new standards of design, performance and reliability with Jaguar, becoming one of the best known style icons.    
Make a date with Ayrburn Classic 2026 – 20-22 February
Organisers are excited about the strong response to entries for the 2026 Ayrburn Classic, with some classes already fully booked. Don’t miss out on a chance to be at this world-class event this summer.
Dino, bellissimo – 1977 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
Frowned upon by the Tifosi when first launched in 1974, the Dino 308 GT4 acquired an undeserved reputation, seen as not a true Ferrari road car. The little Bertone wedge soon silenced its detractors with its capability as an excellent handling road and track car, and a 2+2 design layout that would influence Ferrari's thinking for decades.
Shelby heaven-part 2
From Le Mans to Daytona, the Shelby legend lives on in today’s Shelby American’s US operation, building Ford high-performance cars and trucks. A must-see on any bucket list is a visit to the Colorado Shelby Museum. Vaughan Wilson concludes his tour of this famous museum.
The cars are the stars – the cars of film and TV shows
It truly is amazing what Cinema and TV can do for a car and make it a star.
In Christchurch, it was the turn of the cars to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Price On – Road User Charges (RUCs) for classic vehicles
When I first started writing for NZ Classic Car back in 1995, we were in the middle of the unleaded petrol fiasco.
Many of you will remember that it had catastrophic consequences for many classic cars and motorcycles that were never designed to run on unleaded petrol.
When history comes to life
Motorsport in the ‘50s and ‘60s paved the way for iconic drivers, iconic cars, and some of the most iconic pub yarns you will ever hear. Lenny Gilbert was a capable local driver in those decades, a friend especially to our own Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.
Motorman – Toyota’s first Rav4 – classic inspiration
The original Toyota RAV4 made a cautious entry into the New Zealand market three decades ago, but there was a feeling then that the best was yet to come.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet when it comes to looks, often the first incarnation of a model is the most harmonious and simply the best.
Kits and Pieces – Barry Leitch and the Leitch Super Sprint
In the deep South of the South Island, Barry Leitch is a well-known figure in automotive circles. When it comes to automobiles, there is not much that Barry has not tried.
Morgan’s answer to MG – 1951 Morgan Plus Four
In the late 1940s, Morgan Motorworks' best-selling car, the Morgan Four-Four, was facing stiff competition from the cheaper MG TD. Even worse, the MG was starting to beat it on the racetrack.
Barry Robinson tribute – Part 2
A great talent behind the wheel of a rally car, Southland’s Barry Robinson also had a keen eye for what would work best in a rally car. Long-time co-driver and team mechanic, Geoff Lange, recalls some of those great days on and off the gravel with Barry.
Mini masterpiece – A custom pedal car turning heads 
For her first contribution to New Zealand Classic Car, Melissa recalls a special, innovative project she designed to attract youngsters to the world of fabrication and custom creations. The result? A breathtaking miniature custom. 
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – John Wick-inspired Boss muscle
If you want to create a standout muscle car, then look no further for inspiration than some of the impressive movie stars’ cars that have exploded out of Hollywood. Our poster car from issue 401 is a prime example.
Memories – a JAFFA’s journeys on The Mainland
Growing up in Auckland in the 1960s and ’70s, the ‘Mainland’ South Island took on a mystical image of a separate country.
Profile of a champion – Mike Eady
Few people in the New Zealand motorsport community can say their grassroots beginnings led to an international career.
Southern Classic Motorsport
All Adrian Robertson wanted was a classic A40 racing car
The past season has produced many classic racing cars, some ‘new’ and some that have been languishing in storage for years.
Market Report – 1982-1992-third-generation Chevrolet Camaro
It’s hard to think of the good old American muscle car and not think of the Camaro.
1965 Austin Mini, PDL Replica (Part 1)
In the 1960s, motor racing in New Zealand saw the rise of the highly entertaining Mini-Coopers. The distinctive red PDL Minis foreshadowed even greater achievements for the popular racing team and made a lasting impact on the local motor racing scene.
Shelf Classics – Chris Amon in scale
Chris Amon was the diamond in Ferrari’s F1 crown in the late 1960s. With the recent unveiling of a statue in Bulls, commemorating the celebrated Kiwi driver, modeller, Tony Lyne, has created some miniature tributes to our local hero.
Classic Car news
Daffodil Day Rally, Goodwood Revival, Dunedin Autospectacular, Kaikoura Hop, Thunder Ridge Racetrack, Historic Muscle Cars and more…