Hey we all love Dukes of Hazzard right? Sure, but we all still know that no 1969 Dodge Charger could take the type of abuse dished out by the Duke boys even with the doors welded shut. Well, perhaps not all of us…

This Dukes of Hazzard fan from somewhere in the backwaters of America, possibly Hazard County, is clearly more a fan of Cooter’s Chevrolet pick up truck than the Charger that made the show famous. In this modern day take on a reckless Dukes of Hazzard style jump this guy takes his beat-up Chevy Silverado on a poorly thought our stunt with safety equipment that is limited to a helmet.

Without any professional stuntmen on hand or physicists or even someone who finished high school maths this guy thought he’d have a crack anyway. The results are hilarous for all involved except the busted Chevy Silverado and its whiplashed owner.

It’s a true epic fail and worth the one minute indulgence so treat yourself and check it out below. (more…)

“Vroooooooooom!”

I’ve always had a dream of owning my own business, and it always seemed like one of those cool ideas I had until I realised how much work was involved, and being the lazy teenager I was, that idea went up in a very big cloud of smoke…

One man that has pulled off owning his own business and has done so rather successfully is Noel McMillin. (Didn’t I promise something special last blog?) What makes this so special is I’m putting Noel and his famous Chevy Pickup in the spotlight.

Now as most of you reading this may already know (and for those who seriously have no clue) Noel started his business (Nostalgia Motors) about sixteen years ago when he and his family moved to Hamilton. The truck was purchased roughly about eleven years ago, a 1937 Chevy Pickup, which was a flat shade of black. To this day she still remains that same shade of black. She was purchased for the job of the work truck, as Mr. McMillin used to cycle to work every day, and is still used for that purpose as well as taking her out for a workout on the drag strip every now and then. She’s a tidy old girl, and is practically used for every purpose possible, so she definitely wins the award of the multipurpose vehicle.

So, why did I pick Mr. Mcmillin and his awesome Chevy you may ask? Honestly, My dad gave me the idea (Thanks dad…again!) after I’d been looking through some hot rod books I had gotten out of the library, and had taken a small fascination at drawing a truck (As I have not attempted this..until now!). And I mean let’s face it. Noel and his truck PLUS his business is world famous right down there in good old Hamilton. Or as dad would say “World Famous in your own lunch time”…

It’s hard nowadays to find decent and friendly service from your local mechanic, I recently had a heated dispute over the young fellow who failed me on my warrant on a leaky exhaust. It resulted in a week of stress and frustration (mainly on my side of the situation!!) and has now resulted in me refusing to return mainly for the insanely poor customer service I received. But I’d be happy to take my old Honda down to Nostalgia Motors for a service or warrant any day (Aside the fact I live in Auckland and the old girl would probably use up more gas than I can afford!) knowing I’d get great service and friendly and helpful advice.

Thanks to Morice McMillin for sneaking me some answers to the questions I asked and thanks Dad for the awesome ideas, and thank you Noel for doing what you do. It’s inspiring to see someone so passionate about what they do, and next time I’m in Hamilton I’ll bring my Honda around for a checkup, and possibly a good cup of coffee! Vrrroooooooom !

Coming up Next:
Project LG Funny Car Part One.

“Having been passed on by former owner, God, This ’55 Chevy has no Mercy for it’s new yet feisty Maori Warrior … The World’s Fastest Tiki!!!”

Chris Tynan, a man who has been on the Drag Racing scene for more than thirty years, is something of a legend is many racers eyes.  He described his own first drag racing experience as “The thrill of being on the edge of control “, at the age of 14. His own car, “Rat Attack” (featured here) is just as well known as he is, having owned her as a street car before doing a few modifications and tweaks over the years that eventually caused her to take away a few well held track records (some of which still stand unbeaten today), a few memorable half track burnouts and an infamous full-track burnout at meremere dragstrip.

After thrity odd years or so, Chris decided that it was time to send the old girl onto another loving home. She was gracefully sold off to Mike Reid, a pretty laid back type of guy, who has been racing since 1991. He took the old girl and gave her the same love Chris had given her.

After doing the picture of Nigel’s car and getting such good feedback, Ryan requested again if I would be able to do a picture of the car. He sent me some good reference photos and I got to work. A few weeks later this was the result! Ryan told me Mike loved it, and was really impressed with the way it came out. Also, combing through Ryan’s friends on Facebook, I found Mike Reid’s page, and lo and behold I came across the picture in his photo album. Another great way to put a smile on my face!

The old “Rat Attack” has now had a fresh coat of paint, white with a beautiful metallic black contrast where the Candy red once was. Good on you Mike for getting out there and doing what you love and thank you Chris Tynan for achieving what you have, and continuing to encourage others to get out there and do what they enjoy.

Coming up next:
The prettiest little ’32 Ford Roadster in the bunch..

It’s good to see some older hot rods on the strip. This is Roger Butterworth’s video from Avon Park, England at the Hot Rod Drags featuring his “Snow White” 1957 Chevy, also Wendy Baker’s nostalgia funny car and Clive Mechaell’s fuel altered

1965 Chevy Corvette vs 1970 Chevy Nova part 2

1964 Chevy Corvette vs 1970 Chevy Nova part 1

We go to Taupo for the NZ GTR meeting and find a grunter Ford Falcon XA. Then be blinded by the bright yellow MkV Cortina that’s got a surprise engine. We talk to Angus Fogg about whether he’s going Ford or Holden, there’s Targa action from Hampton Downs, and a sweet 1970 Chev Camaro big block