Classic Cars

BMW’s first EV was launched in 2013 and despite being out of production for two years, the i3 still stacks up as one of the best in its class today. It’s a small car by today’s standards but is roomy and has thoroughly interesting modern styling. Older examples are still consistently hitting their range targets and they have a pretty good reliability reputation. The BMW i3 might just be a canny used EV buy. Turners Westgate has this one coming up for auction. Read on...

If you were very successful and wealthy in 1972 you probably had your heart set on a luxury car. A Rolls Royce was maybe out of your range, or perhaps a bit ‘old money’ for your taste. Indeed, what you really wanted was the Mercedes that was the forerunner to the famous S-Class line, the W108/109. And if funds could be stretched you really wanted the 3.5L V8 option. It said to the world you had class and taste. Over 50 years later this 280SE V8 still projects good taste and is perhaps more classy than ‘class’. And it could be yours. Read on...

It’s one of the most popular modern classics and certain versions are very highly prized. The BMW E30 comes in a myriad of specifications, starting with the 316i sedan all the way to the M3. They are all popular but the difference between the bottom to the top is significant, and is the reason why this car will likely be saved. This NZ new M325i has had a whoopsy to its front end and has been written off and deregistered. Will it be saved? I think so. And I imagine the auction will be a competitive affair. Read on...

Most people aren’t familiar with Honda’s first generation Insight, which is hardly surprising. It was a sort of real world ‘test of concept’ car, built in small numbers and mostly sold in America. But the Insight is a significant car, one built out of engineering obsession – to build the world’s most fuel efficient car. And they succeeded. And a rare example has come to auction at Turners Wellington. Read on...

It may be 32 years old but this 1991 Holden Commodore Exec has travelled a mere 61,000kms from new, in the hands of, evidently, two careful owners. And it’s not one of the NZ-only poverty spec 4 cylinder examples that were assembled in Trentham. Holdens had been assembled in Trentham since 1967 but that plant was closed in November 1990. So this would’ve been one of the first Fully Aussie Assembled rep-spec VNs to land on our shores, complete with the 3.8 V6 and a 5 speed manual gearbox. And you can bid on it. Read on...

The Toyota Hilux is an international phenomenon, used by everyone from farmers and tradies to accountants and despot dictators. But since the Barry Crump and ‘bugger’ ads from the 80s and 90s NZ has felt a special bond with Toyota’s bomb-proof workhorse. Now the earlier survivors are taking on cult classic status. Like this one. Read on...

The eighties were the era of stone wash denim, Ocean Pacific tank tops, poodle hair and digital dashboards, and the fourth generation C4 Corvette fits in with this era perfectly. It couldn’t be any more eighties if the stereo only played ‘Hot for Teacher’ by Van Halen on repeat. This one is for sale at Turners Christchurch at a very 1980s price. Read on...

If the Fairmont featured last week was the Sales exec’s car of choice then the Falcon wagon was the family choice – the family taxi. It’s huge, you could almost live in it, and these days it’s pretty rare, especially in this condition. It has had just two owners from new, the most recent since 1985, and is ready to drive away. This survivor is being auctioned online right now. Is it big enough for you? Read on...

Toyota J series Landcruiser prices have become wince inducing in recent times, possibly because good, rust free examples are hard to find and restoration costs are frightening. So when an incredibly low mileage one shows up dressed as a fire engine it’s time to put on your brave pants and bid like a boss. Read on...