New Zealand Classic Car 403, January/February 2026

Morris’ ground-breaking, world-beating, Minor
It was Britain’s biggest small car, and it got Britain mobile again.       Morris Motors celebrated its millionth Minor in December 1960, a car that defined the British motor industry, and was in production for 10 years alongside the iconic Mini of 1959.
Whakatane dentist John Twaddle has a passion for Morris Minors going back to 1982, and he still has his first example. There are now three ‘Morries’ in his garage. One, however, is quite special, a rare ‘Minor-Million’. 
One of just 350 made commemorating the millionth Morris Minor produced, the first British car to hit a million units, the well-rounded little Brit’ would end production in 1971with a tally of over 1.6 million units.
John finished his Minor Million six years ago, resplendent in lilac, its official factory colour. He calls it his ‘Minor Resurrection’, and it has won numerous awards.
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A Southland morning with Monza
It’s the kind of story only New Zealand could produce – a rare Ferrari Monza 750, stored in the back shed of a country garage in Otautau.
1962 Jaguar Mark II, 3.4 Litre, Part 2
Jaguar was unaware of a peculiar XK engine modification.                            
Auckland music producer Larry Killip satisfied his passion for Jaguars in 1984, buying a 1962 Jaguar Mark II, 3.4 Litre, starting many enjoyable cruises and some head-scratching, while discovering Sir William Lyons’ brilliant XK engine revealed some still unexplained differences.
2021 Shelby GT500 KR1000, Mustang
The King of the Road is back!
The spirit of Carroll Shelby lives on in a range of modern Mustangs.
In Tune with Miranda!
1990 Ferrari Testarossa
Spending a morning with a cultural icon
I spent a warm Saturday morning with this glorious 1990 Ferrari Testarossa, courtesy of the ever-generous team at Southern Specialist Cars, and let’s just say…There are worse ways to spend my mornings!
1965 Austin Mini, PDL Replica
Stacy Lines’ stunning replica PDL Mini-Part 2
Just two successful PDL Minis were built, and the 1967-1968 season was Robert Stewart’s most successful, winning the New Zealand Saloon Car championship. Long-time Southland Mini fan, Stacy Lines' mission to build an accurate replica of Mini #40 concludes.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
A Toronado’s Tale – In Tune With Miranda
An impressive and scarce piece of Americana has been entrusted to the care of a Rangiora enthusiast who is enjoying cruising in what is possibly the largest front-wheel drive coupe ever made. Miranda meets a dedicated owner with a few touching memories to share. 
Kits and Pieces – Ultimate Ultima
The home-built car hobby is widely varied, encompassing collectors, drivers, modifiers, restorers, ‘ground-up’ designers and, of course, kit car builders.
Ultima Sports Ltd, based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, has a history of building some formidable performance-related cars beginning in 1983.
Southern Classic Racing
Rare coupe racing  
The Classic Motor Racing Club’s season-opening Brooklands Members’ meeting in September signalled the start of the 2025-’26 season. Sitting in the pits was a rare car on any local grid, a diminutive Ginetta G15 raced by Ian Perry from Christchurch.
Action-packed 39th MG Classic
New Zealand’s longest-running classic car event lived up to its reputation, rivalling North Island events such as the Taupō Historic Grand Prix and the Legends of Speed Festival.
Industry Profile
Eyrewell Forest Motor Company 2025
A lifelong passion for cars and amassing a small car collection has transitioned into a business as a “Purveyor of fine vehicles” for a Christchurch enthusiast.
It’s wonderful when we can transform our hobby into a main source of income. For Christchurch’s Andrew Farrow of Eyrewell Forest Motor Company, that is exactly what he has been able to do.
From swap meets to the road
Protecting your classic car
Restoring any classic motor vehicle requires careful planning and research. Unfortunately, often, the last consideration is how you’ll protect yourself and your investment if something goes wrong during the process.
Special Report-Ayrburn
A life lived loudly, lost quietly, saved brilliantly
New Zealand’s motor racing heritage-Ferrari 750 Monza
Seen today as the crown jewel of New Zealand’s competition Ferraris, chassis 0514M began far from our shores and very much in the thick of mid-1950s European motor racing.
1972 Toyota Corona
Nana’s Corona survivor
Fresh off the Steel Brothers’ Toyota assembly line in Christchurch in 1972, Nana Olga’s Corona defies the odds by still transporting her family
Market Report
BMW M3 E36 Cabriolet
What is the first performance BMW you can think of? An M3 perchance? One cannot ignore the impact of this letter and number, not only in terms of BMW’s performance back catalogue, but also for performance cars in general.
Book Reviews
Ion Man
The Life and Adventures of Bill Buckley By Robert Tighe
JAGUAR MARK VI-IX
Celebrating the 1950s Flagship Saloons
The Jaguar XK140  in the Southern Hemisphere
Limited edition, by John Elmgreen and Terry McGrath
1959 Chevrolet Parkwood Station Wagon
Wagon dreams-life in a ‘59
As a young schoolgirl, Melissa dreamed of owning an old-school wagon. Schoolbooks were covered not in pop-idol pics, but in magazine cutouts, and her walls were plastered with posters of lowriders and hot rods. When the right wagon turned up, it was her ticket into a community that felt almost like family!
Rally Report
Jaguar’s ‘50s flagship celebrates with a big group of enthusiasts and their Jaguars
Anyone entering the grounds of Cholmondeley Children’s Home in Christchurch over November 1 may have thought they had walked into a full-on Jaguar national rally.
Motorman – The E-Type revelation
After 64 years, the E-Type Jaguar is still an astonishing car. Donn Anderson recalls the first time he rode in one. Acclaimed motorcycle champion Mike Hailwood was among the first famous owners and acquired several other high-performance cars.
Auction Report
Sunday Drive kicks off at Highbrook
Sunday Drive classic and performance car site opened its new purpose-built venue at Highbrook in South Auckland on October 19, with a classic car auction attracting a wide variety of vehicles.
Northern  Classic Racing
KIWI’s rock at Bathurst
Repco Bathurst 2025 will be remembered for Kiwis on the podium; Matt Payne waving the Kiwi flag beside the experienced Aussie, Garth Tander for the Penrite racing team, and the Touring Car Masters dominated by Tristan Teki and Angus Fogg.
American Muscle Collection – Stu’s jewellery box
For men, middle age presents new challenges beyond family and work life. While careers, partners, and children remain important, there is often a desire for something more.
Looking Back
Memories – a JAFFA’s journeys on The Mainland – part 2
Growing up in Auckland in the 1960s and ’70s, the ‘Mainland’ South Island took on a mystical image of a separate country. Gerard continues with his memories of his adventures facing the challenging topography of the South.
Price On
We are only custodians of our classic cars until another minder comes along!
Sadly, and on almost a daily basis, we learn of yet another classic vehicle owner who has (as we used to say) gone to that highway in the sky, or as they say in the Vintage Car Club, gone into the ‘passing lane’!
Shelf Classics
The McCulloch diecast collection – A lifetime hobby
Chris takes a look at an amazing collection of Matchbox and Dinky Toys that shines at Cars Inc Museum, in Upper Hutt, near Wellington.
Classic car news
MOPARS in Oamaru, Wigram Revival, a Torana transformed and more…