The November issue of NZV8 Magazine has just hit shop shelves so it’s time to get a fresh fix of all that’s happening on the kiwi V8 scene. The new issue is a beaut and comes packed with feature cars, news and event reports so get your copy before they are all gone.

In this month’s issue we have an epic cover article that celebrates high power Fords. There’s a 1970 Ford Torino Type N/W cover car that’s immaculately finished and uses a 514ci big block motor to produce 700hp plus. If the Torino wasn’t enough this V8 lover also has a late model FPV GT-P daily driver with 413kW on tap – that makes for a high horsepower garage. Other feature cars include a beautifully chromed 1957 Chevy Bel Air which is simply stunning inside and out. There’s also a ’72 Dodge Challenger finished in slime green and packing a 528ci motor it can achieve 9-second passes. No issue would be complete without a Chev Camaro and this months is a classic 1969 RS/SS model with a 410ci small block engine and a track-spec fit out. Away from the feature cars we have a article celebrating kiwi automotive success stories and we visit a huge private collection of Packards and motorbikes. We report back from the recent Pukekohe Hot Rod and Horsepower Show and also the annual Father’s Day Drags.

All this plus the usual technical advice, readers’ rides, posters and news to keep you up to date with all that’s happening on the NZ V8 scene. This is a stellar issue so make sure you pick up a copy today before they sell out!

General Motor’s Performance Parts division has been busy at work on its latest creation the eco-conscious E-ROD concept, which is based on a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air coupe.

With emissions regulations getting stricter over in the States even hot rodders are looking to get with the programme and the E-Rod concept is designed to be fully-compliant with emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). To achieve this the E-Rod has a specially modified LS3 V8 crate engine that uses modified exhaust manifolds, a special engine control module and a variety of eco-minded sensors. Power output is a very healthy 321kW (430hp) but the E-Rod can get a fuel economy figure of around 10.2 litres per 100km and produce emissions that are the same as a brand new Chevy Camaro SS.

Product integration manager for GM Performance Parts Jamie Meyer said this about the project, “The world of hot rodding is changing, and GMPP is leading the way with engine systems and supporting components that enable enthusiasts to build a car that complies with the law, satisfies their desire for a cleaner hot rod and doesn’t sacrifice the performance they want.” (more…)

John Courtney’s beautiful low-slung ’58 Bel Air makes you ¨wonder why Chev needed all that head space in the first place

As custom car culture started to gain momentum in the mid 1950s, people were hacking, slashing and spraying all sorts of cars in an effort to make them unique. Some ideas failed miserably, but others, like the concept of lowering a roof via a chop, were very well received. By the late ’50s manufacturers started to take notice, so much so that in 1958 General Motors unveiled its brand new Chevrolet Bel Air with a far lower roofline than was usual at the time.

Compared to previous models, this new machine looked almost custom straight off the dealership floor. Half a century on, what was considered low then is now nothing of the sort, and enthusiasts like retired Aucklander John Courtney are re-chopping that first ‘factory chopped’ car. And dear God does it look fantastic.

Lucky Find

John didn’t actually do the roof chop himself, but rather purchased the Chev from the States as an unfinished project on eBay. Whoever started the car had done a great job of the chop, a task that is not for the faint-hearted. After getting that far though, it seems the fun went from the project, and the American owner left the rest of it in a poor state.

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On this show, Father’s Day Drags: Over 5000 people attended the annual fathers day Drags for V8 Street machines at Fram Autolite Dragway Meremere on of course Father’s Day. The top 8 American and Aussie Street registered V8s went through eliminations into the top 8 shootout. Wayne Grimmer turned up with his new 73 Barracuda as did Bruce Cox (71 Camaro), Reece Fish (56 Chev Bel Air) and Ian Rainbow in the latest issue’s cover car 50 Chev Coupe. The Aussie shootout featured Kelvin Blacks 93 Commodore, Aaron Jenkins 72 Monaro and Damon Birchs 80 Ford Falcon ute. Aussie Muscle Car Masters: From Eastern Creek in Sydney its Australias biggest muscle car event. The Kiwi CMC cars were there to compete in 4 races plus the end of event Trans Tasman Muscle car Challenge. After a disastrous crash in race 2 which took out 3 of the Kiwi muscle cars it was back to the track for race 3. Plus we look at some of the legend Aussie Touring cars of yesteryear that paved the way for the V8 Supercars that run today.

On this show, Father’s Day Drags: Over 5000 people attended the annual fathers day Drags for V8 Street machines at Fram Autolite Dragway Meremere on of course Father’s Day. The top 8 American and Aussie Street registered V8s went through eliminations into the top 8 shootout. Wayne Grimmer turned up with his new 73 Barracuda as did Bruce Cox (71 Camaro), Reece Fish (56 Chev Bel Air) and Ian Rainbow in the latest issue’s cover car 50 Chev Coupe. The Aussie shootout featured Kelvin Blacks 93 Commodore, Aaron Jenkins 72 Monaro and Damon Birchs 80 Ford Falcon ute. Aussie Muscle Car Masters: From Eastern Creek in Sydney its Australias biggest muscle car event. The Kiwi CMC cars were there to compete in 4 races plus the end of event Trans Tasman Muscle car Challenge. After a disastrous crash in race 2 which took out 3 of the Kiwi muscle cars it was back to the track for race 3. Plus we look at some of the legend Aussie Touring cars of yesteryear that paved the way for the V8 Supercars that run today.

Some pretty ratty bodywork is repaired and repainted in this pictorial restorial of the ’57 Chevy

After red-lighting the start, Dixon thought he’d try to pull an eight-second pass in his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air against Doug Stewart’s Chevrolet Camaro. It all went wrong at the end of the strip, though