The December 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 comes fully loaded with feature cars, news and event reports so grab your copy before they sell out.

In this month’s issue we have two Buick his’n hers cover cars, one is a 1970 Buick GSX with a 396ci big block and its mate – a 1971 Buick Skylark. We also feature an chopped, tubbed and blown ’55 Chev custom with a 406ci small block. There’s a unique LPG-fed XP Falcon Coupe and a Nascar-powered Valiant Charger which produces 700hp. We have a special feature celebrating this year’s Chevrolet Centenary and a how-to guide to installing your own audio system. Our dream shed article sees us head to Wellington and we have three event reports from Bathurst 201, the SPCA charity show and the National Hot Rod Show. It’s a packed out issue. (more…)

The 1970 Buick GS is one of the more desirable muscle cars ever made. It’s also one of the least known.

As life members of the American Muscle Car Club, John and Peni Murray have owned some cool cars over the years. With a penchant for all things rare and powerful, the pair have sat behind the wheel of some seriously desirable muscle cars. One such car was an Oldsmobile 442, which they’d owned for five years when, in 2007, they decided to move it on. But before doing so, a suitable replacement was required.

“I was just browsing the internet, looking at what was available, with no real intentions to purchase anything,” John says. That’s met with a disbelieving “yeah, right” and a chuckle from Peni, who knew full well that the hours John had recently been online weren’t spent updating his Facebook profile.

After stumbling upon a 1970 Buick GS that looked to be in fantastic condition, he was quick to point it out to Peni. “She had to like it or I knew it would never happen,” he says. Thankfully for John and the Buick, Peni approved and a deal was done.

Why replace a sought-after Olds with the Buick? When it was released the 1970 GS was noted by the leading publication of the time, Motor Trend magazine, as the fastest car it had ever driven. When sales of the high power GS (which stands for Gran Sport) fell in 1969, Buick decided to go against its own policy of limiting engine capacity to 400ci and step the 1970 model up to 455ci, making that the most desirable year to own. (more…)