Cars have come a long way since 1964 when the first-ever Ford Mustang was released. The most powerful version of the iconic pony car in the first year was the K-Code with a 271hp 289ci V8. If this wasn’t enough for you, and let’s face it, at the time it was already plenty of power, you could instead purchase a Shelby-modified Mustang. Called a GT350, the Shelby vehicles had the same 289ci engine, albeit modified to produce 306hp.

Fast forward to 2007 and, having got back together for the first time since a fallout in 1969, Carroll Shelby was once again in bed with Ford, and 500 GT350Hs Hertz rental cars were built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original vehicles. Also released that year was the GT500, which was fitted with a 5.4-litre 500hp supercharged engine. And just like 40 years ago, a horsepower war was once again brewing, with manufacturers trying to outdo each other by producing ever more powerful vehicles.

Not wanting to be left out of it altogether, Ford themselves once again reintroduced the Boss 302 name in 2012. With looks and performance characteristics reminiscent of the Boss 302 of old, Ford were on to a sure-fire winner.

By this time, Shelby too had tried to keep one step ahead of what the factory were offering, but with the factory cars being so well built and high performing, that task was getting harder and harder.

To keep ahead, Shelby would continue to (more…)

A Hastings automotive apprentice will be shouting his co-workers beers this Friday after scooping the 2011 MTA Apprentice of the Year Award. Michael Paaymans, 21, who has been working Lodge Auto Centre for three years, was awarded best apprentice after a competition held in Wellington on Saturday 1 October. It was a tough day of testing for Michael and three other finalists, with four practical tests and a panel interview in only five hours.

“The competition was tough and pretty challenging at times. There was a cool bunch of people on the interview panel, and I had that first so it was good to get it out of the way.” The toughest part of the day for Michael was the electronic fuel injection task, and it was the first practical he faced. “I’d have preferred to start with something else, but it all worked out in the end,” says Michael.

The phone call Michael received, advising him of his win, took him by surprise though. “I answered the phone and heard ‘Gidday, it’s Greg Murphy here’. My reaction was ‘Who?’, I wasn’t expecting to hear from Greg himself!” Despite this being a busy week for Murphy, with Bathurst this weekend, he took the time to have a good chat with Michael about what he’ll experience when he visits Sandown later this year, part of the winners prize.  (more…)

Meguiar’s is once again looking for New Zealand’s Ultimate Shine. The 2011 ‘shine n show’ competition kicked off last Friday (30th September), so if you think your ride has the goods to take this year’s prize then shine it up and get entering.

The overall winner will score $1000 cash, a huge Meguiar’s product pack to maintain their prize winning machine and a professional photo shoot of their car.

Four $250 runner up prizes of cash and product packs are also up for grabs, along with weekly spot prizes for voters, and each fortnight for entrants. So anyone who enters or votes could win.

If you take pride in your ride and don’t mind a bit of polishing and waxing, then this competition is for you. Looking for inspiration? Check out last year’s winner, a 1966 Chevelle Malibu (pictured above). (more…)

The annual Petrolhead Father’s Day Drags took place last Sunday and was bigger than ever. Crowds lined the hills around the track to watch the fastest street cars in the country battle for bragging rights on the strip.

For a full event report, check out the next issue of NZV8 Magazine.

View 230 photos from the days racing in the gallery below.

The 31st annual Rotorua Swap Meet is set to take place this Sunday (July 10) at Paradise Valley Stock Car Track.

The swap meet will be hosted by the Rotorua Vintage and Veteran Car Club, the event includes not just a large swap meet but also a show and shine.

Gates open at 7am and entry for sellers and vehicles is $10. General admission is $5.

For site bookings and any further info contact Neville on 07 348 2412, or for all other inquiries contact Mel Cooper on 07 345 6615 or email melandco@paradise.net.nz

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is searching once again for New Zealand’s finest automotive apprentice with the entires for the 2011 competition being accepted.

If your workshop has an apprentice who isn’t a total dropkick, you might want to nominate them for the award. And if you’re an apprentice who does a half-decent job then might you might want to drop a few subtle hints to the boss (entry form on the lunchroom table might do).

The MTA Award has been running for ages and aims to reward the skills of talented apprentices and recognise employers who are investing in the future of the automotive industry.

This year’s competition is the second year in which the traditional theory based ‘Apprentice of the Year’ contest has been merged with the more practical, hands-on ‘MTA Apprentice Challenge’.

MTA General Manager Advocacy and Training, Dougal Morrison, says the competition not only recognises the best in the automotive industry, but it’s a great opportunity for apprentices to showcase their talents and fast track their skills and career development. (more…)

It was a huge day on Sunday at the annual Nostalgia Drags held at Fram Autolite Dragway in Meremere. There was an eclectic mix of dragsters, muscle cars and vintage speed machines.

NZV8 was there to snap off a couple of hundred photos, so if you want to get all nostalgic then check them out in the gallery below. (more…)

Last weekend, the Scroungers Car Club celebrated the 10th Anniversary of The Hot Rod Blow Out at Rosebank Speedway on Auckland’s North Western Motorway.

It was a relaxed and entertaining event that celebrated NZ’s rich history of hot rodding, drag racing and land speed racing as well as the pioneers or individuals who truly made their mark.

NZV8 was cruising around and got some great photos to bring back for our readers, to view them click on the gallery below. (more…)