Unless you’ve got the budget to get a car built by one of the big names in America, such as Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, or similar, chances are you won’t know what the finished product will look like, until it’s sitting in your driveway.

Aucklander Geoff Milliken however, knew almost exactly what his next project would look like, and that’s because he already had a picture of it on his wall before he began. Like most of us in the car world, Geoff’s had petrol in his veins from a young age, fuelled by growing up watching his uncle — one of New Zealand’s more well known drag racers — Nick Leifting competing around the country.

From those early days, he’s had a variety of machines, ranging from motorbikes, through to a candy-coated Cobra replica we featured back in Issue 52. With a growing family, the Cobra wasn’t really practical though, so Geoff set about finding something with a few more seats, and that’s when he turned to (more…)

In America the Ford Mustang has never lost its appeal and one of the most desirable examples remains the classic, first-generation model.

But not every enthusiast can afford or even find a mint condition 1964-1966 Mustang so Ford is no selling new body-shells of the first-gen model. Available in the coveted convertible body shape the Mustang body shells start at USD$15,000. The bare metal shell uses modern steel and welding procedures, which makes it stronger and more durable than the original ’60s shells.

Naturally there is plenty of work left to do once you have a shell with the powertrain, suspension, brakes, electrics and interior trim all needed to be sourced and fitted. In the States all these parts can be purchased from suppliers, but for those on a budget a rusted-out first-gen Mustang would make for a suitable donor car.

Check out a promotional video for the Mustang body shells below. (more…)

General Motors has just announced that it has built the world’s most powerful roofless production model ever, the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible. The new hyper drop-top will be officially revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The convertible Camaro shares its underpinnings with the upcoming Camaro ZL1 Coupe and is scheduled to reach showrooms from late 2012. Powering the convertible is GM’s 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 engine producing 432 kW and 754 Nm of torque.

General Motors was quick to point out that its drop top Camaro ZL1 has more power output than Euro performance models like the Aston Martin DB9 with 350kW and the Porsche 911 Turbo with 395kW. However models like the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport were conveniently forgotten about.

“The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.” (more…)

After watching Chip Foose on TV building Mustangs, Carol Lamb decided to find the Kiwi equivalent to build one for her.

Every now and then a car comes along that stands out for no apparent reason. Cars that do this are often more than the sum of their parts, perhaps through good planning, quality workmanship, or maybe the owner’s passion.

Carol Lamb’s 1966 Mustang convertible is one of those cars. However, she’s quick to place the credit elsewhere.

“He really is New Zealand’s own Chip Foose, one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets,” says Carol. She’s talking about Neil Hodgson, who works for Wings and Wheels Taupo. Neil was responsible for project managing the build and performing the bulk of the work on Carol’s Mustang. Judging by what we found when we got the chance to have a detailed look over the car, we’d have to agree with Carol’s description of its creator.

Dreams Become Reality

Despite being a Holden driver on a daily basis, Carol has always dreamed of owning a 1966 Mustang, and it had to be a convertible. So after she and her husband, Greg, sold their earth-moving business, they decided to make that dream a reality. (more…)

One of the rarest and most fascinating V8 vehicles in the world will cross the auction block later this month – the 1965 Ford GT40 works prototype roadster.

While most Ford enthusiasts now the origins of the iconic GT40 very few would know much about the GT40 roadster. This particular model is chassis number GT/111, meaning it was the 10th car built after the original GT40, which featured chassis number GT/101, only 12 GT40 prototypes were built in total. Seven of the prototypes were coupes and five were roadsters. This particular roadster is one of only four to survive and one of only three to have been raced. It was thought lost for many years but has been recovered and restored and is one of the rarest and most desirable GT40s in the world.

Under the bonnet is a 4.7-litre (289 cubic-inches) V8 engine with four Weber twin-choke carburetors and an output of 444 horsepower. Changing the gears is a ZF five-speed manual transaxle that sits in the middle of the chassis, there’s also four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. (more…)

We don’t see too many Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS models here in NZ, in fact, we don’t see any at all. But if we did, it looks like a machine that most of us would totally enjoy. Over in the States it’s a different scene and for some the standard Camaro SS doesn’t quite pack the punch they desire.

When that’s the case, aftermarket tuners Hennessey is there to help out and to prove it, the company has just unveiled the first example of its HPE600 Camaro Convertible, complete with a walloping 602 horsepower. That’s a solid whack and a full 172 ponies more than the most powerful production example with the extra grunt coming from a TVS2300 supercharger and host of other upgrades designed to help the big V8 breathe a little easier.

Hennessey don’t just quit after the engine upgrades either and have done some serious work on the Camaro’s suspension. Buyers who opt for the muscle-bound droptop can expect to find a KW adjustable coilover suspension and wider 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.

In terms of performance Hennessey says that the topless beast can get to 100kph per hour in just 3.9 seconds and can cover the quarter mile run in 12 seconds flat. This isn’t some hairdresser’s car.

To see the HPE600 Camaro drop-top in action check out the video below. (more…)

Heads up Camaro fans, General Motors has just released details and images of the drop top version of Chevrolet’s retro-styled muscle car.

The upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show will play host to the long-awaited 2011 Camaro Convertible getting revealed for the first time  before going on sale in the States from February of 2011 with an estimated starting price $30,000 USD.

Chevrolet’s newest convertible has been in development ever since the introduction of the coupe version but was constantly delayed due to the firm’s financial troubles.

GM says that converting the coupe to drop top requiredf four strategic reinforcements to enhance the body structure including, the addition of a tower-to-tower brace under the bonnet, a transmission support reinforcement brace, underbody tunnel brace and, front and rear underbody “V” braces. The overall goal was obvious – to match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance.

The convertible uses a folding softtop built by the same makers as the unit in the Corvette, it will likely use the same centre-handled locking mechanism. GM says that the top stows away in about 20 seconds. When up, the top uses composite knuckles instead of the traditional convertible roof ribbed look.

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With a 450hp big block and four on the floor, this stunning Camaro isn’t so much a cruiser as a bruiser.

It was a sparkling autumn day when I was called out to go on an adventure of Stand By Me proportions. I drove to a secluded spot in South Auckland to meet up with the photographer, and the vehicle’s owner, Shane Ushaw.

After waiting for the man of the hour to arrive, I finally saw it in all its glory. Amidst the war-torn Beirut backdrop of our industrial photoshoot location was a simply stunning example of a ’69 SS Camaro drop-top. It shone and sparkled so much I had to rub my eyes like a child in a Christmas movie who’d just been given his first bicycle. It was beautiful. I approached the car with wonder and automotive lust, and then quickly ran from it as photographer Dan yelled at me for walking in front of the lens. So I decided instead to quiz the owner about his mighty fine piece of American muscle.

Having owned more Camaro hardtops than he can remember, Shane purchased this convertible in 2004. What really started its major rebuild, though, was a small incident involving a fence, a bit of grass and some dented pride.

Rather than repair the car back to its pre-incident condition, Shane saw his misfortune as the perfect chance to make the drop-top something truly special.

Shane explained that the accident with the fence was actually a blessing in disguise, and he’d always intended to do up the SS, though admittedly not to this level.

Unfortunately this car build not only owes its modifications to that fence but also to Shane’s late wife Donna, who tragically passed away three years ago. Donna loved the car and, before her passing, it was destined to be hers. As the car was part way through the build process when she died, Shane set about building this dream car as a tribute to her.

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